RIYADH: Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel has led a delegation to a ministerial-level health meeting convened by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris. The event brought member states together to advance health systems across the OECD under the theme “Better Policies for More Resilient Health Systems.” A statement issued on Wednesday by the Saudi Health Ministry said that Al-Jalajel held several bilateral meetings, met international health officials and attended a ministerial dinner organized by the French Ministry of Health. The minister and his delegation began their visit with a tour of Paris’ Necker Hospital to explore innovations in health and emergency services. The minister discussed ways to enhance health cooperation between the Kingdom and France. Al-Jalajel toured several other hospitals and met French officials to explore potential collaboration in improving healthcare, exchanging expertise and sharing knowledge. The OECD said in a statement on the ministerial-level meeting: “As the world emerges from the biggest public health emergency in more than a century, it is clear that there are lessons to be learned. The COVID-19 crisis exposed significant weaknesses in health systems, calling for urgent action to ensure that they are more resilient to future shocks. “At the same time, global megatrends such as climate change, demographic change and increased digitalization will likely have significant implications for health and healthcare in the years to come.” Health ministers discussed the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic and future health policy challenges, the statement added. The OECD is an international organization that promotes free trade and economic development among its 38 member states. The health delegation led by Al-Jalajel included CEO of Seha Holding Co. Dr. Nasser Al-Haqbani; Saudi Red Crescent President Dr. Jalal Al-Owais; Undersecretary of the Ministry for Public Health Dr. Hani bin Abdulaziz Gokhdar; and Undersecretary of the Ministry for Curative Services Dr. Tarif bin Youssef Al-Aama.