Hungarian Foreign Minister Warns Against Politicising WHO

  • 24 May 2022 8:56 AM
  • Hungary Matters
Hungarian Foreign Minister Warns Against Politicising WHO
The spread of monkeypox makes it crucial to uphold the professional and pragmatic operations of the World Health Organization, the foreign minister said, adding that politicisation of the WHO's work could put lives in danger.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Péter Szijjártó told the 75th session of the general assembly of the WHO in Geneva that though experts believed monkeypox was very different from coronavirus, it required caution.

It is therefore important that the WHO approach the issue with the necessary level of expertise, Szijjártó said. If things are politicised even in the WHO, the world will not be able to prepare for this new epidemic, Szijjártó said, adding that even lives could be at risk.

The WHO will need to provide countries with the right recommendations so that the world can succeed in taking the fight to monkeypox and so that it does not cause as severe a health-care, economic and social shock as the fight against the coronavirus pandemic did, he added.

The minister underscored the importance of the WHO’s ability to uphold its professional, pragmatic and practical operations.

Earlier in the day, Szijjártó met WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.


Photo courtesy: FM's Facebook page

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Matters

Launched in January 2014, this newsletter published on week days covers 'everything you need to know about what’s going on in Hungary and beyond', according to its publisher the state media agency MTI.

Explore More Reports

  • Wealth Tax & Euro Adoption in Hungary now Officially Promised by Tisza Party

    Wealth Tax & Euro Adoption in Hungary now Officially Promised by Tisza Party

    • 10 Feb 2026 9:51 AM

    As Hungary prepares for the parliamentary election on April 12, the opposition Tisza party has released a comprehensive 240-page programme aimed at fundamentally reshaping the country's economic and diplomatic path. Led by former government insider Péter Magyar, the party currently represents the most significant challenge to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz since 2010.

  • Opinion: Why More Dutch Are Leaving for Hungary - Culture, Community, Conservatism

    Opinion: Why More Dutch Are Leaving for Hungary - Culture, Community, Conservatism

    • 9 Feb 2026 5:55 AM

    When people think of Europeans migrating abroad, they often imagine sunny destinations with Mediterranean beaches in Southern Europe. Indeed, countries such as Portugal and Spain remain very popular. Yet for my fellow Dutch countrymen, Hungary is increasingly becoming a preferred destination as well. This must be for different reasons, as Hungary — being landlocked — is hardly known for its beaches.