WHO Representative Dr Naeema Al Ghasseer and WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Mahmoud Fikri meeting with the President of Sudan Omar Hassan Ahmad  El BashirKhartoum, 20 April 2017 – WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Mahmoud Fikri concluded a 2-day visit to Sudan. During his visit, he met with the President of Sudan Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir, senior Government officials and representatives of United Nations agencies and the diplomatic community. In his meeting with the President, the Regional Director expressed his gratitude for the invitation and the generous hospitality, and expressed WHO’s appreciation of the Government’s commitment to improving health as a top development priority for the health security of the nation. Dr Fikri met H.E. the Federal Minister of Health Mr Bahar Idris Abu Garda, who accompanied him throughout his meetings with H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ibrahim Ghandour and Minister of International Cooperation Mr Osman Ahmed Fadul Wash. He reiterated WHO’s continuing support to Sudan in order to improve and strengthen its health sector. The Regional Director met the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ms Marta Ruedas and representatives of United Nations agencies and the diplomatic community to discuss public health priorities in Sudan and for the Region and to identify opportunities for cooperation. He also attended the opening of the Abdel Hamid Training Centre and the meeting of the National Health Sector Coordination Council, presided over by the President. Dr Fikri highlighted the critical role of investment in health and education for social and economic development. Dr Fikri congratulated Sudan on its planned implementation of the roadmap for “Implementing Health in All Policies (HiAP)”, following endorsement of the roadmap by the Coordination Council and the agreement of all related sectors on its implementation. The HiAP initiative is considered to be a pioneering experience in the Region which Sudan has embraced to ensure increased equitable access to affordable quality health care for its population through progress towards universal health coverage to achieve the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.