World Health Assembly 2026 Focuses on Pandemic Preparedness, Global Health Equity and Public Health Achievements

The 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) convened this week, with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presenting a comprehensive report on the organization’s work to Member States. The assembly began its general discussion under the theme “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility,” emphasizing the need for collaborative action to address ongoing and future health challenges.

Recognizing Global Public Health Milestones

The WHO Secretariat awarded certificates of achievement to nations for significant public health accomplishments. These include:

• Trachoma elimination: Algeria, Australia, Burundi, Egypt, Fiji, Libya, Senegal, and Tunisia.
• Leprosy elimination: Chile.
• Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) elimination: Kenya.
• Malaria elimination: Suriname and Timor-Leste.
• Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV, and syphilis: Anguilla, Bahamas, Brazil, Cuba, Denmark, Maldives, Montserrat, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Turks and Caicos.
• Trans-fat elimination: Portugal and the United Arab Emirates.

the World No Tobacco Day awards were presented to individuals and institutions for their contributions to tobacco control, including Dr. Louise Mapleh-Kpoto (Liberia), Dr. Monica Garcia Gomez (Spain), María Lustemberg Haro (Uruguay), and the Department of Legislation of Vietnam.

Advancing the Pandemic Agreement: Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing

A key focus of the assembly was the ongoing negotiations for the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) Annex under the WHO Pandemic Agreement. WHO Member States agreed to continue drafting the PABS framework, which aims to ensure equitable access to pathogens and benefits derived from their use during future pandemics.

The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) will prioritize this work, with the goal of finalizing the PABS Annex for consideration at the 80th World Health Assembly in May 2027 or a special session in 2026. The adoption of the PABS Annex is critical for the agreement’s ratification and implementation.

Health Emergencies Committee Addresses Global Crises

In Committee A, delegates discussed preparedness for public health emergencies, the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005), and the impact of the Middle East conflict on healthcare systems. The committee adopted a draft decision on the health emergency in Lebanon, underscoring the need for robust responses to crises in conflict zones.

The session also highlighted the importance of strengthening health systems to prevent future vulnerabilities. Dr. Tedros emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic served as a “stress test,” exposing gaps in equity, trust, and preparedness while accelerating global collaboration.

Reflections on a Decade of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme

On the margins of the WHA, a roundtable convened to reflect on the lessons learned from the past decade of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE). Experts and leaders from around the world discussed the need for proactive measures, including:

• Epidemic intelligence: Leveraging advanced analytics and AI to enhance surveillance and response capabilities.
• Sustainable financing: Moving away from reactive funding models to ensure long-term preparedness.
• Equitable access to medical countermeasures: Ensuring scientific advancements translate into real-world impact.

Country examples, such as Ethiopia’s investments in laboratories and oxygen systems, and the Central African Republic’s use of the Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR), illustrated how lessons from past crises can inform future strategies.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Progress and Equity

The discussions at the 2026 World Health Assembly underscored the critical importance of translating pandemic lessons into sustained investment and stronger, more equitable health