The World Health Assembly opened in Geneva on 18 May, with a keynote address by Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, current holder of the G7 presidency, and opening address by WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan.

FDI made five statements at the 68th World Health Assembly: three of them were on its own behalf and two on behalf of the World Health Professions Alliance WHPA. The WHA took place in Geneva from 18 to 26 May.

FDI statements

Four new and six revised Policy Statements are in the pipeline for future submission to the FDI General Assembly.

FDI pursues its Continuing Education Programme in June with courses in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Course subjects include implantology, restoration, periodontics, aesthetics, oral cancer and prevention.

The Spanish Dental Association (Consejo General de Colegios Odontólogos y Estomatólogos de España) will be hosting the 2017 FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Madrid. It will take place between 29 August and 01 September 2017.

FDI has appointed a new Executive Director. He is Enzo Bondioni, 49, who took up the position on 27 April.

Over 70 delegates assembled in Marrakech, Morocco, from 18 to 20 April for FDI’s mid-year meetings, the first ‘full’ session since Lisbon in 2012.

The FDI Continuing Education programme for May 2015 takes place only one region, the Middle East, where events will be held in Lebanon and Egypt.

Some 2,000 national, regional and international participants attended the 1st FDI Regional Congress ‘Las American’ held in Santiago, Chile, from 25 to 28 March. FDI President Dr Tin Chun Wong addressed the Opening Ceremony on 25 March.

FDI is deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr Fannye V. Thompson, Chair of the FDI Chief Dental Officer/Public Health Section, observer at the Public Health Committee and member of the Data Hub for Global Oral Health Task Team.