The 77th World Health Assembly took place as the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the most severe pandemic in a century. The Health Assembly will be held under the slogan, “Health for All, Health for All”. Scheduled to be held from May 27 to June 1, the Health Assembly will bring together health ministers and other high-level representatives of countries and will serve as a key platform to tackle existing global health challenges such as HIV, measles and polio, amid the climate crisis and the continued rise in diseases such as hypertension and obesity.
One of the pivotal moments expected during the Health Assembly will be the revision of the Convention on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response and the International Health Regulations.demonstrating a concerted effort by Member States to strengthen global preparedness and response mechanisms.
The opening event before the Health Assembly on Sunday, 26 May, will kick off the WHO Investment Round, a partnership with current and potential donors aimed at ensuring sustainable funding for WHO. Additionally, WHO’s third Investment Case, launching on Tuesday, 28 May, will describe the value proposition in terms of the additional lives that could be saved if WHO’s 2025-2028 strategy, the 14th General Plan of Work (GPW 14), is fully implemented.
“The cumulative effects of climate change, disease outbreaks and conflict mean that the pressure on WHO to respond to global health needs is greater than ever. This Health Assembly presents Member States with a significant opportunity to promote, provide and protect health and well-being for all by adopting its 14th General Programme of Work – the global health strategy for the next four years; by supporting the continuing transformation of WHO through the WHO Investment Round; and by making the world safer through the revision of the Pandemic Convention and the International Health Regulations.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO
Key highlights and decisions
Key events and achievements expected at the Health Assembly include the approval of the WHO 2025-2028 strategy on 28 May; GPW 14 aims to address the health-related impacts of megatrends such as climate change, ageing, migration and scientific and technological advances. The four-year period presents an opportunity to get the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.
Important on a range of health priorities, including climate and health, WHO’s work in health emergencies, access to transformational tools, communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health, women’s health, and reform of WHO itself. It is expected that a decision will be made.
The Health Assembly will bring together high-level participants, political leaders, ambassadors, and representatives of civil society and non-state actors to underscore the global effort to advance the public health agenda.
On Friday, May 31, the Health Assembly Speaker will award six 2024 public health awards and prizes to eight recipients for outstanding contributions to public health.
Event before the Health Assembly
Several events will be held on Sunday, May 26, before the Health Assembly officially opens on Monday morning. To promote physical and mental health, the fifth annual Walk the Talk: Health for All challenge will start at 8am CET at Place de la Nation. Leaders from the worlds of sport and entertainment participated, including WHO Goodwill Ambassador Didier Drogba, basketball player and childhood obesity champion Pau Gasol, Olympic and World 800m Champion David Rudisha, and Swiss World Paralympic Wheelchair Marathon Champion. Marcel Hug, choreographer and development advocate Shelly Silver, and others will participate.
Then, on Sunday, May 26, from 17:00 to 20:00, the “All for Health, Health for All” event at WHO Headquarters will launch WHO’s first investment round and present the Grand Prize of the Health for All Film Festival. Mezzo-soprano opera singer Farah El Dibany will also perform. The event will be livestreamed.
The Health Assembly will convene at 9am on Monday, 27 May, at the Palais des Nations. The high-level session will begin at 9.30am and will feature an announcement by the WHO Director-General. The Executive Director will present the Global Health Leadership Award winners at approximately 10 a.m. (Note: One recipient will receive the award at a ceremony on May 26.) Dr. Tedros’ main speech will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Strategy Roundtable
A strategic roundtable will be held during the Health Assembly on the theme “Investing in Global Health – Investing in WHO”. At these events, Health Assembly representatives, partner agencies, civil society representatives and WHO experts will discuss public health priorities. The session will be held from 28 May to 1 June 2024 from 13:00 to 14:15. A session will also be held on Tuesday evening, May 28th. All sessions can be viewed online.
As WHO’s highest decision-making body, the Health Assembly sets the organization’s policies and approves its budget. All 194 WHO member states are represented at the Health Assembly. Prior to the Health Assembly agenda, the 40th meeting of the Planning, Budget and Steering Committee of the Executive Board will be held from May 22-24, 2024. After the Health General Assembly, the 155th meeting of the Executive Board will be held on June 3-4.
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