Seventy-eighth Session of World Health Assembly Kicks off in Geneva

Addis Ababa, May 19, 2025 (ENA) -- The Seventy-eighth session of the World Health Assembly (WHA78) commenced on in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “One World for Health”. The session will continue until May 27.

The Health Assembly brought together high-level country representatives and other stakeholders to address health challenges.

This year’s gathering comes at a pivotal moment for global health, as Member States confront emerging threats and major shifts in the landscape for global health and international development.

This year’s theme underscores WHO’s enduring commitment to solidarity and equity, highlighting that even in unprecedented times, everyone, everywhere should have an equal chance to live a healthy life, according to WHO.

A highly anticipated moment of the WHA78 will be the consideration of the Pandemic Agreement, a landmark proposal developed over three years of intense negotiations by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, composed of all WHO Member States.

The adoption of the agreement is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to safeguard the world from a repeat of the suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposal will be the second ever presented for approval under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, which gives Member States the authority to reach agreements on global health.

“This year’s World Health Assembly will be truly historic with countries, after 3 years of negotiations, considering for adoption the first global compact to better protect people from pandemics,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The Pandemic Agreement can make the world safer by boosting collaboration among countries fairly in the preparedness, prevention and response to pandemics.”

WHO’s sustainable financing is a key priority of the Health Assembly. Member States will consider a scheduled 20 percent increase in assessed contributions (membership fees), towards the next Programme Budget 2026–2027 (PB26-27).

Sustainable financing was one of several transformation priorities put in place by the WHO Director-General to ensure a more efficient and impactful WHO when he first took office.

On Tuesday, 20 May, there will be a high-level pledging moment for the Investment Round, where Member States and philanthropies are expected to announce funding for WHO.

The World Health Assembly serves as the highest decision-making body of the WHO, setting policies, approving budgets, and bringing together delegations from all member states to engage in its proceedings.