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REMARKS BY:    DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
		   SERVICES
PLACE:         49th World Health Assembly, Geneva, Switzerland
DATE:	       May 21, 1996

Every year, we come together to learn from one another; to draw strength from our past achievements; and to focus on the challenges that lie ahead.

This meeting comes at a critical time in history. All over the globe, we are being asked to reshape, reduce, and reinvent government to serve our citizens better with fewer resources.

The challenges facing WHO are no different. In 1996, we see wounds in war-torn nations that must be healed. We see the emergence and reemergence of deadly infectious diseases wreaking havoc on our families and communities. And, we see old and new barriers facing the citizens of our countries -- who, with the right combination of health and hope -- could live full and productive lives.

The question is, how do we as a community of nations meet these -- and other challenges -- during a time when we face serious limits on our resources? How do we ensure that WHO not only survives -- but thrives -- into the 21st century as an effective instrument to promote and protect global health?

How? We must set clear priorities -- and stick to them. We must ensure strong, representative, and tough-minded leadership for WHO. We must create new partnerships.

And, we must focus on what WHO does best: Exerting global leadership in health. Mobilizing global resources to respond to health emergencies today -- and prevent them tomorrow. Setting standards. And, giving countries the information, support, and other tools they need to effectively promote health and development.

This focus is necessary -- not only to help us adapt to current financial constraints, but also to empower us to address the global health challenges of the next century.

One of those challenges is women's health. I will never forget the U.N. World Conference on Women last September in Beijing -- when leaders from all walks of life joined together in global solidarity to lift up the health and dignity of women and families.

And, I will never forget WHO's leadership.

During the WHO all-day forum, we helped make the point very clear: When we talk about women's rights, we are talking about human rights.

And, when we talk about health security for women, we our talking about an international commitment that spans the full spectrum of women's lives -- and improves health and development throughout our world.

Together, we created a blueprint in Beijing. In my country, we are working hard to implement our commitments -- with comprehensive approaches to tragedies like domestic violence, breast cancer, and tobacco use among girls.

Now, it is time for all of us to help transform the promises of Beijing into results for women the world over.

Through our words and actions, now is the time to send the clearest possible message that violence against women is never acceptable.

Now is the time to end the inhumane practice of female genital mutilation -- once and for all.

Now is the time to provide women with proper nutrition, education, and prenatal care -- so that we can prevent poverty, save families, and allow women to reach their full potential.

And, now is the time to empower women to protect their families against toxins in their environment; against the dangers of drugs and tobacco; and against the horrors of cancer and AIDS.

Let me be clear: When it comes to fighting HIV and AIDS, any breach in international solidarity is a victory for the virus. That's why we strongly support the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS -- and remain firmly committed to ensuring continued coordination between UNAIDS and WHO.

In addition to AIDS and women's health, we must also address another global health challenge: Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.

Today, smallpox has been wiped off the face of the earth. And, if we push hard enough together, polio -- which once struck Presidents and poor children alike -- may exit the world stage as we enter the next century.

These are important accomplishments. But, as we look forward, all of us must step up our efforts to fight emerging infectious diseases around the globe.

From Ebola in Zaire to the hantavirus in the United States, emerging infectious diseases know no borders -- and our pursuit of their prevention and cures must know no end.

We are pleased with WHO's creation of the Division of Emerging and other Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control.

Together, we must develop global and regional surveillance and response networks -- to link national health ministries, WHO Collaborating Centers, laboratories, and field stations around the world.

These are just some of the global challenges we can and will meet for our citizens and our countries. If we set clear priorities. If we develop the right infrastructure to promote and sustain health. And, if we work together -- sharing risks, sharing opportunities, and sharing a dream.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Our dream must be a healthy world.

That future is being created right here.

Thank you.