H.E. Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) sent a message for Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2022, through coordination by The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Thailand, which was held virtually during 26-29 January 2022 under the theme “THE WORLD WE WANT: Actions Towards a Sustainable, Fairer and Healthier Society”.

Ms. Gita Sabharwal, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand delivered the UNSG’s message at the Conference’s opening session. To achieve the world we want, the UNSG emphasizes that we need to accelerate vaccination to everyone, everywhere to end the pandemic, scale up investment in human development in all dimensions, reform global financial system with the support of wealthier nations for developing countries, prevent and end the conflicts through dialogues, and end the global emergency of climate change through strong political commitments.

Main highlights of PMAC 2022 included the opening speech by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, followed by the plenary session featuring debates and discussions on public health topics that are high on global agenda. Over 50 honourable and experienced speakers around the world participated and spoke at the Conference including H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, the Right Honorable Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mrs. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Dr. Margaret Chan, former Director-General of WHO.

The Prince Mahidol Award Conference is an annual international conference, which serves as an international forum for sharing views on health-related policies and strengthening social commitments for health development in order to push forward important global health agenda. Each year, the conference receives a lot of attention and support from around the world with over 20 organizations from international organizations, philanthropic foundations, education and academic institution across the globe taking interest in co-hosting the event.