18 October 2017 - It is with grieving hearts that we announce the death of Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. He passed away on 17 October on his way to participate in the Global High Level summit on Non Communicable Diseases, taking place in Montevideo, Uruguay. Dr Fikri took office as Regional Director on 1February 2017. In the short period of time since assuming office, his dedication and diligence stood out. He was responsible for the recent and highly successful meeting of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean held in Islamabad, Pakistan, which was attended by Ministers of Health and delegations from the 22 countries of the Region. In the meeting, Dr Fikri’s vision and roadmap were endorsed and will pave the way for addressing the health priorities of the Region for the coming five years. More important, Dr Mahmoud Fikri will long be remembered for his kindness, care, generosity and humane leadership, all of which touched deeply everyone who crossed his path. All WHO staff throughout the Regionextend their profound and heartfelt condolences to his family and all his loved ones. The Regional Office staff, joined by country office staff via video conference, met today to honour Dr Mahmoud Fikri with prayers and observed a minute of silence. A condolence book will be open at the Regional Office in Cairo for three days starting on Sunday, 22 October.