Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva arrived in Geneva yesterday (13) to chair the 124^th Executive Board of the World Health Organization which will be held from 19^th to 27^th January 2009 and to participate at the Programme and Budget Committee which is being held from 14^th to 16^th January 2009. The programme and Budget Committee will hold deliberations on the budget of the WHO for the next biennium.

Minister de Silva is also invited to chair and address the special session on the global financial crisis and its possible consequences on the health to be held on 19^th morning. This high level panel discussion and the general debate will provide an opportunity for delegates coming from all the regions to voice their concerns on the importance of sustaining investments in the social sector to protect vulnerable population from the global economic crisis. This discussion will also address finding a sustainable solution in addressing health related funding issues amidst the global financial crisis. The high level panel will consist of Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Richard Newfarmer, Special Representative to the UN and the WTO of the World Bank, Geneva and Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet among other high level guest speakers.

Hon. Minister will be chairing the Executive Board this year as the World Health Agenda will be set against the backdrop of the global financial crisis.