Remarks at the Indonesia flag-raising ceremony

Your Excellency, Ambassador Agus Widjojo;

Distinguished delegates, colleagues, friends.

Selamat datang! Welcome!

Today marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter - one that celebrates friendship, deepens collaboration, and strengthens our shared commitment to health and wellbeing across the Western Pacific.

It is with immense joy and great honour that we officially welcome the Republic of Indonesia to the WHO Western Pacific Region.

With this step, Indonesia, home to over 280 million people, joins our 37 other Member States and areas, enriching the diversity and dynamism of a Region that spans from North Asia to the South Pacific - and represents more than a quarter of the world's population.

Indonesia's move is a powerful testament to its commitment to global solidarity and regional cooperation, at a time when unity and multilateralism are more vital than ever, for health and sustainable development.

Indonesia brings with it a wealth of experience, innovation and opportunity:

• Its geographic position, sharing land and maritime borders with many countries, makes it a key partner in regional disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Its leadership in diagnostic imaging for tuberculosis offers a model we can scale across the Region.
• Its lessons from COVID-19 reinforce the importance of coordinated regional action.
• And its health innovation ecosystem can support Pacific Island nations facing similar challenges.

These are just a few of many ways Indonesia will help shape a healthier future for our Region.

As Indonesia transitions from WHO's South-East Asia Region to the Western Pacific, we embrace this journey with care and collaboration. Our two regions have long worked hand in hand, and will continue to do so.

In my homeland of Tonga, we say "Mālō e tau lava" - a heartfelt toast to shared moments and enduring bonds. Today, we raise that toast to Indonesia "Cheers to a great time together".

Ambassador Widjojo, on behalf of all of us at WHO in the Western Pacific, I warmly welcome you and the people of Indonesia. We are honoured to walk this path together toward our shared vision of Health for All!

Terima kasih! Thank you!