The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday formally received the donation of the sculpture Form of Space, a work by celebrated Croatian sculptor Ivan Kožarić, gifted by the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The sculpture has been installed in front of the main entrance to WHO headquarters in Geneva as a lasting tribute to health and social care workers around the world, and in honour of Dr. Andrija Štampar – the first president of the World Health Assembly and one of the founding fathers of modern public health policy.
The initiative to place the sculpture began in 2021, during the International Year of Health and Care Workers, which WHO launched to recognize the vital role these workers played during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the sculpture symbolizes global solidarity and resilience.
“The sculpture, standing over 2.5 metres tall, will serve as a permanent reminder of the contribution of health and social care workers worldwide, as well as of the strong commitment of the Republic of Croatia to the global health community,” stated WHO.