TIRANA, May 18 – Health and Social Welfare Minister Evis Sala took part in the 79th World Health Assembly session. The discussions opened with a focus on protecting children from online risks. They also addressed the impact of digital violence.
At the opening stage of the event, the World Health Organization held a memorial for children lost to digital violence. The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle also attended. Minister Sala followed the opening ceremony with a reaffirmation of Albania’s commitment to placing children at the centre of social policies and reforms.
In this context, Albania stood among the first Western Balkan countries to adopt a National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee. The minister underlined prevention and inclusion. She stressed the principle of leaving no child behind. She added that ending violence against children required political courage and international cooperation.
Meanwhile, Albania joined the WHO Champions Council.
At the same time, violence against children continued to emerge as a public health, human rights and development challenge.
Later, at a high-level event of the WHO Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, Minister Sala highlighted the growing impact of climate change on health systems, mental health and well-being. Children and young people received particular focus. She also presented national priorities under the Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2026–2036.
Against this backdrop, Albania treated climate adaptation as a national priority. The plan placed health at the centre of its strategy. Key priorities included early warning systems, stronger primary healthcare, workforce investment, protection of vulnerable groups and improved inter-institutional coordination on climate and health.
Following the discussion, Sala said the Commission’s recommendations marked an important step forward. The statement highlighted climate-resilient health systems. It also emphasized integration of mental health, improved policy coordination and community-based solutions.
The 79th World Health Assembly addressed key global health challenges. The agenda included health governance reform, pandemic preparedness, sustainable WHO financing and health system strengthening. It also covered digital health, artificial intelligence, non-communicable diseases, mental health, climate-related health impacts and humanitarian crises with geopolitical consequences.
/a.p./
The post Health and Social Welfare Minister at WHO Assembly: Albania strengthened commitment to child protection and well-being appeared first on RTSH English.
