By Amina Abdul Salam Egypt, as one of countries of the World Health Organisation's Eastern Mediterranean Region, signed a Universal Health Coverage (UHC2030)s Global Compact during the Ministerial meeting on universal health coverage held in Salalah, Oman, from September 3 to 5. Egypt's Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Ahmed el-Soubaki, speaking on behalf of Dr Hala Zayed, the Minister of Health, said Egypt was the first country in the region to apply a health insurance system in 1964. He said that Egypt had succeeded in getting rid of a number of illnesses, such as schistosomiasis, polio, malaria and tuberculosis. And it was currently eradicating the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The signing of the UHC2030 Global Compact demonstrates a high level of commitment to take action for progress towards universal health coverage by all countries of the region. It means that signatories and their governments are committed to work together to accelerate progress towards UHC through building an equitable, resilient and sustainable health system.