WHA78: 22 May 2025 – Daily Update

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🔶TARGETSITE: Example News
🔶CANONICALURL: https://example.news/world-health-assembly-key-decisions
🔶PRIMARYKEYWORDS: global health security, health emergency preparedness, sustainable financing, public health measures, health crisis response, international health regulations
🔶AUDIENCE: Global health professionals
🔶TONE: Informative, objective
🔶DATELINELOCATION: GENEVA
🔶EVERGREENBACKGROUNDTOPICS: Global health governance, international health, pandemic preparedness, healthcare funding
🔶ORIGINALBRANDTERMS: World Health assembly, WHO, Director-General, Health Emergencies Program, Independent Oversight and Advisory Commitee (IOAC)

GENEVA – The World Health Assembly recently addressed critical issues ranging from health emergency preparedness to sustainable financing and international health regulations. discussions and decisions made during the assembly are set to shape global health initiatives in the coming years.

Health Progress Amidst Financial Concerns

Committee B reviewed the Results Report 2024, focusing on the Programme budget for 2024-2025. Member States acknowledged advancements but voiced concerns about the insufficient progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets. Equitable funding distribution across the organization was also emphasized. The committee approved decisions 78/17 Add.1 and 78/17 Add.2.

The WHO‘s Investment Round (IR) to fund the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14) garnered meaningful attention. GPW 14, the global health strategy for 2025-2028, aims to potentially save 40 million lives if fully funded. By April 2025, pledges reached US$ 1.7 billion, with an additional US$ 210 million committed during the Health Assembly. These pledges, comprising 62 from Member States and 20 from philanthropic organizations, signal global solidarity. Notably,35 of the state pledgers were new voluntary contributors to the WHO.

The assembly underscored the need for predictable, resilient, and flexible funding to address ongoing global health challenges.

Strengthening Health Emergency preparedness and Response

The Assembly addressed WHO’s response to health emergencies, noting that in the past year, the organization responded to 51 graded emergencies across 89 countries and territories.These included outbreaks of cholera and mpox, as well as multiple humanitarian crises. Collaborating with over 900 partners, WHO provided health assistance to 72 million people in humanitarian settings. A significant 60% of new emergencies were climate-related, highlighting the increasing impact of climate change on health.

Member States reviewed the Director-General’s report on the health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience (HEPR) framework. The report highlighted progress in disease surveillance, community protection, safe care, access to medical countermeasures, and emergency coordination.It also stressed that inadequate funding poses a major risk to health systems globally.

Delegates took note of the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee (IOAC) report for WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, which presented recommendations to strengthen WHO’s emergency response efforts. The chair of the IOAC lauded WHO’s leadership and the contributions of Dr. Mike Ryan.

The Universal Health and Preparedness review (UHPR), a contry-led mechanism launched in November 2020, was also discussed as a means for Member States to assess their health emergency preparedness.

International Health Regulations as a Cornerstone

Member States reviewed the Director-General’s report on the International Health Regulations (2005), which define countries’ obligations in managing public health events with cross-border potential.

In 2024, WHO evaluated over 1.2 million signals related to public health risks, identifying 429 events with potential international implications.

With nearly all countries submitting self-assessment reports, joint external evaluations and training sessions were conducted to enhance preparedness and response capabilities.

The Assembly considered a decision for the Director-General to notify Palestine of the International Health Regulations (2005), a step toward Palestine becoming a States Party to the Regulations, following a resolution to align Palestine’s participation in WHO with its UN participation.

The Standing Recommendations issued by the Director-General on COVID-19 (valid until April 2026) and mpox (valid until August 2025) were also noted.

Amendments to the Regulations adopted at the previous year’s Assembly are expected to take effect in september 2025.

Understanding International Health Regulations (IHR)

The International Health Regulations (IHR) are a legally binding agreement that provides a framework for countries to work together to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and other health threats across borders. Adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2005, the IHR outline the rights and obligations of countries to report and respond to public health events of international concern.

The IHR require countries to develop and maintain core public health capacities, such as surveillance, laboratory, and response systems, to detect, assess, and respond to public health events. When a potential public health emergency arises, countries must notify the WHO within 24 hours of assessing the risk. The WHO than works with the affected country to verify the event and determine whether it constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).In the event of a PHEIC, the WHO can issue temporary recommendations to help countries prevent or control the international spread of disease.These recommendations may include travel advisories,quarantine measures,and the use of vaccines or other medical countermeasures. The IHR also promote collaboration and information sharing between countries to improve global health security.

Research Urged for Public Health Measures

Member States approved a decision to strengthen the research base on public health and social measures, which are nonpharmaceutical interventions used to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. These measures, including hygiene practices and travel modifications, were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Response to Health Needs in Ukraine

Delegates reviewed the Director-General’s report on the response to the health emergency in Ukraine.In 2024, WHO provided health support to an estimated 4.7 million people in Ukraine and over 400,000 refugees in neighboring countries, delivering over US$ 32.5 million worth of medical supplies to ukraine and over US$ 4.9 million to refugee-hosting countries. As February 24,2022,there have been 2254 verified attacks on health care,resulting in 710 injuries and 208 deaths.

A draft decision proposed by Ukraine to restore its health-care system was approved, while amendments proposed by the russian Federation were rejected.

Health Conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Delegates reviewed the report on health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, notably the Gaza Strip, which faces a severe humanitarian crisis. The health system is severely degraded due to attacks, shortages, and restricted access. Between january 2024 and February 2025, 376 attacks on health care were reported in Gaza, resulting in 286 deaths and 591 injuries.The health crisis in the West Bank has also worsened, with increased violence impeding access to care.

WHO’s response has focused on providing essential services, disease prevention, and supply logistics. The report called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian access. Member States commended WHO’s efforts and approved a resolution.