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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		50th World Health  Assembly, Geneva, Switzerland
DATE:		May 6, 1997

President Theodore Roosevelt once said: Nine-tenths of wisdom is being wise on time. This is our time.

Today, we are poised at a critical juncture in the distinguished history of the World Health Organization. The Director-General has announced that he will not seek another term.

We respect his decision, and applaud the important contributions he has made to our Organization: His contributions to international partnerships. To management reforms. To the health and development of countries in greatest need. To our international fight against new and reemerging diseases. And to our on-going battle to eradicate polio and to eliminate the ancient scourge of leprosy.

Now is the time for each of us to lend our strongest support to the critical work Dr. Nakajima must complete in the last year of his tenure, especially the renewal of Health For All. And now is the time to plan for the future.

We must build on Dr. Nakajima's foundation and choose a new Director-General who can help W.H.O. lead and succeed over the next 50 years -- and beyond.

First, we have a vision of a Director-General who can find new ways of meeting new health challenges. As our citizens live longer, we will need new ways of protecting their health. As non-communicable diseases -- like those related to tobacco -- become the leading cause of death and disability, we will need new ways of educating our citizens to prevent them. And, as violence continues to plague us, we need to turn our public health agenda into a force for action and a bridge for peace. That's especially true with landmines. As President Clinton told the UN General Assembly, "Our children deserve to walk the Earth in safety."

Second, we need a Director-General who can make W.H.O. the international leader for health in the 21st century. We need someone who will be a passionate advocate for health, including environmental and women's health. He or she must send a clear message to every political and financial leader: There can be no effective social or economic development without good health.

Under this leader, W.H.O. should set standards for nations: To improve the quality of pharmaceuticals and health services. To set guidelines for clinical and public health practice. And to create indicators to monitor the health of our international community.

W.H.O must continue to coordinate global surveillance to predict major health threats -- and spur action among nations to prevent them. It should mobilize global partnerships to help promote effective health systems in all countries. And, it should serve as a gateway to an international network of health experts -- coming from W.H.O., UNICEF, the World Bank, NGOs, the private sector, and a revitalized network of W.H.O. collaborating centers.

How will W.H.O. be able to accomplish all of this?

That brings me to my third point. We need our new leader to demand management that is tough, smart, and strong. All of us have budgets. All of us must live within them. And, all of us are expected to make our programs more effective and efficient. W.H.O. is no different.

We need the Executive Board to play a central role in setting priorities for our regular and extra-budgetary activities. We need to strengthen our fiscal control and personnel system, and extend the transparent fiscal management begun by Dr. Nakajima. Within W.H.O, we need to strike the right balance between fostering creative regional solutions and speaking with one international voice for health.

And, we need a leader who can make it happen.

Which brings me to my fourth and final point: To realize our promise in the 21st century, we need a Director-General for the 21st century. A Director-General with a commitment to the most vulnerable citizens and the countries in greatest need. Someone will the ability to not only set goals and strategies, but communicate them to our globe. Yes, to health professionals. But also to politicians. To financial institutions. To every citizen of the world.

The next leader of W.H.O. must be able to manage a complex international organization blessed by a vital and diverse staff. And they must have the diplomatic skills to resolve conflicts and promote health and safety -- both inside and outside of the health community.

But, our next leader will not be able to do any of this alone.

No matter if a nation is big or small, rich or poor. All should be part of a collegial process. All must have a chance to participate. Whatever affects one affects all.

As member governments, we must ensure that our best scientists and public health experts see W.H.O. as an integral part of their distinguished careers.

We must do our part to promote the health of all people.

And, in so doing, we must recommit ourselves to this unique organization, its mission, and its future -- now and into the 21st century.

I'd like to close by adding my personal thanks -- and the appreciation of the United States government -- to Dr. Nakajima for his work over the past 9 years.

He has fought hard for W.H.O. And, even when dealing with tough issues, he has maintained an excellent relationship with my country.

We wish him well in his next endeavors and thank him for his service.

Thank you.