As director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), I disagree with Barry Bloom's suggestion (Nature 473, 143–145; 2011) that the international community no longer trusts the WHO.

In the first half of this year, after intense long-term negotiations, the WHO delivered three significant agreements for public health: on influenza virus and benefit sharing; on non-communicable diseases; and on accountability in women's and children's health. These agreements could never have been reached without international trust in the WHO and great diplomacy and flexibility from the participants. Last month's World Health Assembly followed up with a progress report (see http://go.nature.com/jbqjy1).

Global health is important for every country. I am working with colleagues and member states to strengthen the WHO. Last year, I began a consultation with the organization's six regions to make our systems more effective, efficient and transparent. I will continue to work to make the WHO fit for purpose in the twenty-first century.