Ethiopian diplomat pays visit to Egypt as part of his campaign to be WHO chief

Former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom has paid a two-day visit to Cairo as part of his candidacy campaign to lead the World Health Organization that will hold its final round of elections for the post on May 23.

In a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday, Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs Ambassador Mohammad Idriss conveyed the directives of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to the Egyptian delegation in Geneva to coordinate with the African delegations to support the African candidate.

The statement also said the support to the African candidate comes within the context of Egypt's keenness that the African continent secures a fair share in assuming the important international positions in a bid to maintain and achieve the African interests at the international level. 

Idriss welcomed the Ethiopian minister at Cairo International Airport on Saturday night and conveyed to him the greetings and appreciation of Shoukry. He also asserted Egypt's backing of the Ethiopian candidate.

"The fresh view we can bring from our continent and the perspective of a developing country can help improve the global health situation," Tedros told reporters in Geneva, as he announced his desire to succeed WHO chief Margaret Chan of Hong Kong when she steps down next year.

Tedros, a doctor by training, highlighted the experience he acquired during his seven years as Ethiopia's health minister until 2012, when he implemented widespread reforms that among other things allowed the country to slash its infant mortality rate by two thirds

Source: MENA