The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to build a "harmonious healthy world" in which everyone enjoys health, happiness and security, said Dr Margaret Chan, the newly-elected WHO chief on Saturday.  

The WHO Constitution states "harmony" is at the center of world public health issues so "the priority of our work is to build a harmonious healthy world," Chan told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Saturday.

Chan, who will take office on January 4, 2007, said harmony was a measure of civilization and a harmonious life was closely related to health and security.

"Health and security are two key factors for a stable and harmonious life and a harmonious society can only come after people's basic requirements for food and clothing have been met and health and security problems been solved," she said.

Chan, from Hong Kong, is the first Chinese national to lead a specialized UN agency. She said China and the WHO had forged strong cooperative relations.

"As a large country China's public health conditions often draw much attention from other countries," Chan said. China had been actively cooperating with the WHO, exchanging necessary information with it and always helping the organization facilitate its work, she said.

On Taiwan's participation in the WHO's technical activities Chan said the WHO would deal with the issue in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with China. The MoU on Taiwan health and medical experts' participation in WHO technical activities was signed between the Chinese Ministry of Health and the WHO Secretariat in 2005.

"Facts show that the memorandum has played a positive role," Chan said. Chan pledged to act within the authority given by the World Health Assembly and the WHO Secretariat and continue to help Taiwan experts' participation in WHO technical activities.

On the threat of an influenza pandemic Chan said the world still required to be vigilant although the global avian influenza position appeared to be less serious compared with last year. Many countries had come to know more about the danger of avian influenza and increased preventive measures and resources against it.

"All these have led to a reduction in outbreaks but a real threat still exists and people shouldn’t treat it lightly," she stressed.

Chan called on experts to increase research on bird flu and urged all the WHO member countries to cooperate to find the most effective preventative measures. She also urged governments to report new cases quickly to the WHO and other related organizations and retain a high level of transparency on the subject. 

"Global efforts are needed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases as no one country can do this alone," Chan said. The WHO would continue to provide technical assistance and guidance to member states in this regard.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2006)