Iran eyes economic, health cooperation with Switzerland, Saudi Arabia during WHO summit
Iran’s health minister held separate meetings with his Swiss and Saudi counterparts on Tuesday in Tehran, focusing on economic ties and health diplomacy, according to Iran’s Health Ministry.
During talks on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly, Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi and Switzerland’s Health Elisabeth Baume-Schneider backed plans to hold the third Iran-Switzerland Joint Economic Commission in Tehran, IRNA reported.
Zafarghandi said the gathering is tentatively set for September 16, 2025, and could “boost cooperation,” especially in the health sector.
He pointed to an internal task force dubbed the “Swiss desk,” which helps resolve hurdles faced by Swiss health firms operating in Iran. “Their presence under sanctions has been of great value to us,” he said.
Schneider, underscoring Switzerland’s role as host of the World Health Organization, said Bern is committed to “global health” and is working on reforms to adapt to “a changing world.”
She welcomed Iran’s cooperation in anti-drug initiatives and said preparations for the Tehran economic commission were underway.
Ali Jafarian, senior adviser to Iran’s health minister, called for reactivation of a special Swiss financial channel launched in early 2020 to facilitate humanitarian trade. That mechanism has since stalled.
Zafarghandi also met with Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel, expressing hope for expanding what he called “health diplomacy” amid warming bilateral ties. He pointed to existing cooperation around Hajj pilgrim health and proposed a joint working group and a memorandum of understanding.
Iran, he noted, has “strong capabilities” in primary care, pharmaceuticals and medical education. A draft agreement with Saudi Arabia, already prepared, could pave the way for partnerships on smart hospitals, workforce training and global health security, Al-Jalajel said.
Jafarian suggested Iran and Saudi Arabia could collaborate further on liver transplants, alongside Egypt and the UAE.
Zafarghandi invited his Saudi counterpart to visit Iran’s health facilities to explore joint projects.
The WHO summit which began on May 19, runs through May 27 in Geneva under the theme “One World for Health.” Iran’s delegation is led by Zafarghandi and includes senior officials from the country’s health sector.