The choice of Morocco, in the person of Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khaled Ait Taleb, to lead this commission also reflects the Kingdom's efforts to promote social justice through the establishment of a social protection system aimed at preserving human dignity, with particular emphasis on strengthening family ties, which are the core of social cohesion and solidarity between generations, said a statement by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection on Saturday.

The designation of Morocco as chair of this vital body at the WHO took place on the sidelines of the 154th session of the Executive Board of the organization, held from January 22 to 27 in Switzerland, as part of a joint declaration which highlights the importance of social ties for public health and announces the launch of the said Commission.

The Kingdom of Morocco, the United States and Japan, members of the WHO Executive Board and its Commission on Social Connection, stressed the importance of social connections for the health and well-being of individuals and communities, the statement said, adding that the three countries emphasized the Commission's role in raising awareness and accelerating the scaling-up of solutions in countries, regardless of their income level, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable sections of the population.

This WHO commission will help make social connections a global health priority, and share the most promising interventions. It will also examine how connections improve the well-being of communities and societies, and help foster economic progress, social development and innovation.