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In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defense against global threats.

Margaret Chan

Speech as WHO Director-General at the 63rd World Health Assembly, 2010 · Checked on 3 March 2026
In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defense against global threats.

Analysis

The quote aligns with WHO’s 2010 strategic focus on *shared responsibility* for health systems (per the 2010 World Health Report) and *collective defense* against pandemics (e.g., International Health Regulations, 2005). Chan repeatedly emphasized equity and global cooperation during her tenure, including in the [2010 WHA opening address](https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2010/world_health_assembly_20100517/en/). No credible sources contradict the attribution or substance of the statement.

Background

Margaret Chan served as WHO Director-General from 2006–2017, a period marked by initiatives like the *Global Health Security Agenda* and advocacy for universal health coverage. The 2010 WHA focused on financing health systems post-2008 financial crisis and pandemic preparedness, themes central to her remarks. WHO’s constitutional mandate (Article 2) explicitly includes international cooperation for health.

Verdict summary

Margaret Chan’s 2010 statement accurately reflects WHO’s documented priorities on global health equity and collective action, as corroborated by official records and her speeches.

Sources consulted

— World Health Organization. (2010). *Address by Dr Margaret Chan at the 63rd World Health Assembly*. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2010/world_health_assembly_20100517/en/
— World Health Organization. (2010). *The World Health Report 2010: Health Systems Financing: The Path to Universal Coverage*. Geneva: WHO. ISBN 978-92-4-156402-1
— World Health Organization. (2005). *International Health Regulations (2005), 3rd edition*. Geneva: WHO. ISBN 92-4-158041-X
— Chan, M. (2017). *Speech at the Closing of the Seventieth World Health Assembly*. WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2017/closing-seventieth-world-health-assembly/en/