WHO to Convene 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva
Oru Leonard
The World Health Organization has announced that the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), will hold from May 18 to 23, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together delegates from member states to deliberate on critical global health priorities amid growing financial pressures on healthcare systems worldwide.
According to the global health body, this year’s Assembly will focus on strengthening the global health architecture, advancing implementation of WHO’s 2025–2028 global health strategy, and shaping responses to emerging health emergencies and policy challenges.
The Assembly is expected to consider whether to launch a new member state-led process aimed at reforming the global health system, aligning with broader United Nations reforms, and improving coordination among global health actors.
Delegates will also deliberate on several major policy frameworks, including the post-2030 tuberculosis strategy, antimicrobial resistance action plans, integrated emergency and critical care systems, precision medicine, smart pharmacovigilance, stroke prevention, haemophilia management, and international recruitment of health personnel.
WHO said member states would further review the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) and assess the organization’s ongoing work in global health emergencies.
Budgetary and constitutional matters are also expected to feature prominently, including discussions on the Results Report 2024–2025, financing and implementation of the 2026–2027 programme budget, and the status of member states’ assessed contributions.
The opening day on May 18 will feature the election of officers of the 79th World Health Assembly, a presidential address, and a keynote speech by WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, under the theme: “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility.”
WHO also announced that the Director-General’s Awards for Global Health will be presented during the high-level segment on May 18, while several prestigious public health prizes, including the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion, will be presented on May 20.
As part of activities surrounding the Assembly, WHO will host strategic roundtables addressing lessons from COVID-19, noncommunicable diseases and mental health, as well as combating health misinformation and disinformation.
The annual World Health Assembly remains WHO’s highest decision-making body, responsible for determining the organization’s policies, supervising financial matters, approving programme budgets, and appointing the Director-General.
