Strategic Objectives for the Medium-term Strategic Plan 2008-2013 are as follows:

      (1) To reduce the health, social and economic burden of communicable diseases.

      (2) To combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

     (3) Prevent and reduce disease, disability and premature deaths from chronic noncommunicable conditions, mental disorders, violence and injuries.

      (4) To reduce morbidity and mortality and improve health during the key stages of life, including pregnancy, childbirth, the neonatal period, and childhood and adolescence; and improve sexual and reproductive health and promote active and healthy ageing for all individuals.

       (5) To reduce the health consequence of emergencies, disasters, crises and conflicts, and minimize their social and economic impact.

      (6) To promote health and development, prevent and reduce risk factors for health conditions associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and other psychoactive substances, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and unsafe sex.

       (7) To address the underlying social and economic determinants of health through policies and programmes that enhance health equity and integrate pro-poor, gender-responsive and human right-based approaches.

       (8) To promote a healthier environment, intensify primary prevention and influence public policies in all sectors so as to address the root cause of environmental threats to health.

       (9) To improve nutrition, food safety and food security, throughout the life-course, and in support of public health and sustainable development.

       (10) To improve health services through better governance, financing, staffing and management informed by reliable and accessible evidence and research.

        (11) To ensure improved access, quality and use of medical products and technologies.

       (12) To provide leadership; strengthen governance and foster partnership and collaboration with countries, the United Nations system and other stakeholders in order to fulfil the mandate of WHO in advancing global health agenda as set out in the Eleventh General Programme of Work.

       (13) To develop and sustain WHO as a flexible, learning organization, enabling it to carry out its mandate more efficiently and effectively.