Geneva, 21 May 2023 (PAHO/WHO) - As the world faces ongoing health and humanitarian emergencies, the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly (WHA), which will take place from 21-30 May, opened today at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Discussions will focus on the sustainable financing of the World Health Organization (WHO) as it reaches its 75th anniversary, as well as the critical role of the Organization in the Global Health Emergency Architecture.
“As we mark WHO’s 75th anniversary, we can be proud of our past achievements, but we must be mindful of lessons learned, as we transition from the emergency phase of COVID-19 and create a future where every person has access to the health services they need,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said. “This means strengthening the global architecture for health emergency preparedness, response and resilience, supporting countries on the road to universal health coverage, and building a stronger, sustainably funded and accountable WHO."
Discussions at the WHA will focus on strengthening preparedness and response to health emergencies, as well as areas including women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health; universal health coverage and primary health care; traditional medicine; infection prevention and control; migrant health; non-communicable diseases; and mental health.
The WHO Programme Budget for 2024-2025 will also be approved, including the decision to increase assessed contributions.
The WHA kicked off with the fourth edition of the Walk the Talk: Health for All challenge to promote physical and mental health, and to celebrate the importance of partnership during WHO’s 75th anniversary.
The assembly is open to registered and accredited Member States, Associate Members, Observers, invited representatives of the UN and other participating inter-governmental organizations and non-State actors, but can also be followed live online.
