Geneva, SANA- With the participation of Minister of Health Dr. Musab al-Ali, the 78th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA78) commenced Monday in Geneva under the theme “One World for Health.” The session will continue until May 27.
According to a statement published on the official website of the World Health Organization (WHO), this year’s main theme reaffirms the organization’s enduring commitment to solidarity and equity, emphasizing that even in unprecedented times, everyone everywhere should have an equal opportunity to lead a healthy life.
The statement highlighted WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom’s assertion that this year’s World Health Assembly will be truly historic. Countries will consider adopting the first global treaty aimed at enhancing protection against pandemics. He emphasized that the pandemic agreement could make the world safer by fostering fair cooperation among nations in pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response.
The discussion surrounding the pandemic agreement was described in the statement as a landmark proposal, developed over three years of intensive negotiations by the intergovernmental negotiating body composed of all WHO member states.
The adoption of the agreement represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect the world from repeating the suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be the second proposal presented for approval under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, which grants member states the authority to reach agreements on global health.
During this session, the Assembly will review approximately 75 main and sub-items, with expectations to approve more than 40 procedural resolutions. The agenda also includes key topics from WHO’s work program, such as health and care workforce issues, antimicrobial resistance, health emergencies, preparedness, polio eradication, climate change, and social connectivity as determinants of health, alongside other pressing concerns.
The World Health Assembly gathers high-ranking country representatives and other stakeholders to address global health challenges. This year’s meeting comes at a pivotal moment for global health, as member states navigate emerging threats and significant transformations in the international health and development landscape.
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.
Nawal/Manar Salameh
