30 January 2012 -- While most neglected tropical diseases have existed for centuries, Dr Margaret Chan gave multiple reasons for optimism that nearly all of these diseases can be eliminated or controlled by the end of this decade. During the event, she launched a WHO roadmap for accelerating the work of multiple partners to reach these ambitious, yet feasible targets.

Coalition for Health, Ethics and Society Annual Lecture

06 December 2011 -- In a season of broken promises, a winter of discontent, can the values and principles of public health change the way the world works? While she has no such illusions, Dr Chan retains her optimism. In recent years, WHO has been managing internationally shared health threats through new instruments for good global governance.

Dr Margaret Chan introduces proposed reforms for WHO priorities

1 November 2011 -- Priority setting should be the force that drives all reforms. Reforms follow priority functions. Money follows agreed priorities.

WHO Director-General addresses need for WHO reform

1 November 2011 -- At the start of a special session of WHO's Executive Board, Dr Margaret Chan made the case for a number of significant reforms aimed at improving the Organization's efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency. As she noted, reforms start from a position of multiple strengths: extensive experience, expertise, authority, good results, and staying power.

Maintaining momentum in an era of austerity

10 October 2011 -- In 2011, efforts to improve health move forward against a backdrop of concentrated turmoil, like a deepening economic downturn, natural disasters, civil strife, and new tactics from Big Tobacco. As WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan notes, "It is horrific to think that an industry known for its dirty tricks and dirty laundry could be allowed to trump what is clearly in the public?s best interest."