World Health Organization Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation 2009

"I am deeply honoured that the World Health Organization has received the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation for its efforts to fight against international health threats and for its leadership in coordinating health in a rapidly changing world.

This award will serve to further inspire and motivate the entire Organization in all its locations around the world as WHO works with Member States and partners towards creating a healthier world in which the burden of disease is reduced, particularly amongst the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.

We are humbled when we see the distinguished list of people and organizations this Award has gone to in previous years. On behalf of the World Health Organization I thank the Prince of Asturias Foundation for honouring the work of the Organization, and for this recognition of the importance of global public health."

Dr. Margaret Chan
Director-General WHO
Geneva, 27th May 2009