Landmark resolution passed on health and climate change
In a resounding call to action, the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly has recognized climate change as an imminent threat to global health, passing a resolution which underscores the urgent need for decisive measures to confront the profound health risks posed by climate change.
The resolution, supported overwhelmingly by Member States, presents an overview of the existential threat that climate change poses to human health. The Health Assembly asserts that radical action is imperative to safeguard the health of the planet, underscoring the interdependence of environmental sustainability and public health.
Urging the global health community to mobilize on an unprecedented scale, the Health Assembly calls for the amplification and expansion of existing efforts to combat climate change within its core functions. This includes prioritizing health considerations in national and international climate policy frameworks, as well as supporting countries in building climate resilient and low carbon health systems.
By strengthening capacity building and providing technical support to national health ministries, the actions agreed at the Health Assembly will empower countries to implement robust climate-resilient health initiatives tailored to their unique circumstances, and to guide cross-sectoral actions that both promote health, and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The resolution marks a key moment in the fight against climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to protect both human health and the planet.
WHO is committed to continuing to lead the global health response to climate change. The Organization plans to scale up its efforts in supporting Member States through leadership, raising awareness, providing technical support and building capacity. Key initiatives include presenting health as a central concern in climate policies, advancing evidence-based strategies, and mobilizing support for health and climate action in countries.
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Countries call for economies centred on health and well-being for all
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the interdependence between health and economies. It demonstrated that in order to promote, provide and protect health and well-being, we need multi-sectoral financing and collaboration of all agencies of government beyond the Ministries of Health.
Addressing the challenge, the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly passed a new resolution supporting countries to restructure their economies to serve the health of people and the planet.
The new resolution takes forward the recommendations of the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All. It highlights that healthy populations and a thriving planet are prerequisites for sustainable development. The state of health and well-being is a reflection of how people live, what they eat, how they learn and work, and whether all people, at all ages, are able to get the healthcare they need without becoming impoverished.
The resolution sets out a way forward for Member States, international and regional financial institutions, and other stakeholders to better align actions across economic, social and environmental dimensions, with a clear focus on health for all.
Through this resolution, the Health Assembly mandated WHO to develop a strategy on economics and financing for health by 2026, to guide countries in advancing this bold new vision of economies built around health and well-being.
The strategy will define priority actions, from strengthening national capacities to providing technical support in areas such as improving fiscal policy and engagement with economic associations, international finance institutions, and development banks.
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Member States commit to leveraging sports events for health and well-being
On 30 May 2024, WHO Member States approved a new resolution (initiated by Qatar) on strengthening health and well-being through sporting events. Through the resolution, Member States champion a novel strategy to improve global well-being reflecting a growing recognition of the multifaceted nature of well-being, encompassing not just physical health, but also mental and social aspects.
Moving beyond the thrill of competition, the strategy envisions sports events as platforms for addressing critical public health challenges, including health emergency preparedness and response, noncommunicable diseases, violence and injuries, mental health and social inclusion.
The Health Assembly stressed the importance of encouraging healthy diets and regular physical activity for people of all ages and abilities, fostering a culture of lifelong movement. Additionally, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities is paramount in promoting inclusivity. Furthermore, developing and testing new models for resource allocation will be key to sustaining these health promotion initiatives through sports events.
This decision by the Health Assembly marks a significant shift towards a holistic approach to public health. By harnessing the unifying power of sports, this strategy paves the way for promoting healthier behaviours, fostering stronger communities, and ultimately, achieving greater well-being for all on a national, regional and global scale.
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Making 2024 a watershed year for worldwide equitable action on antimicrobial resistance
Today, Member States, Members of the Global Leaders Group on AMR (GLG), partners, youth leaders and survivor advocates came together at a Strategic Roundtable to chart a new path forward for global action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
2024 is a crucial year for AMR, with the 2nd United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting (HLM) on AMR in New York, USA on 26 September 2024 and other major opportunities including the 4th Ministerial Meeting from 15–16 November 2024 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Today’s discussion brought leaders and partners championing a One Health approach to address the causes and consequences of AMR for the health of people, animals and the environment. The discussion looked to capitalize on political momentum this year and beyond to build an effective and sustained response to AMR.
The session also marked the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly adopting a resolution to accelerate national and global responses to AMR, which champions a people-centred approach and equitable access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections.
The discussion also considered establishing of an Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR, as well as targets to reduce mortality from AMR and the inappropriate use of antimicrobials.
Other key topics of discussion included: financing for multisectoral action against AMR, ensuring access to and appropriate use of antimicrobials, country experiences, advocacy and governance priorities, patient stories, and recommendations by WHO, the Quadripartite (WHO, FAO, UNEP and WOAH), and others.
Member States express strong support for the continuation of the phased increase of Assessed Contributions (AC) and the Investment Round (IR)
Delegates in Committee A reviewed and discussed reports on items 16 and 18 on the agenda. The Secretariat presented an April update on the Programme Budget (PB) of US$ 6.8 billion, as approved by a WHA76 resolution. WHO is on track with financing (87%) and utilization (20%), with current trends indicating 100% implementation of the approved PB.
As of the end of April 2024, the base segment is 79% funded, thanks to a 20% increase in AC and pipeline projections. However, reliance on earmarked voluntary contributions remains a challenge. Delegates appreciated WHO’s financing progress but noted concerns about funding gaps and uneven funding across regions, offices, and strategic pillars, emphasizing the need for sustainable, flexible funding.
Member States also appreciated the Secretariat’s improvements in operational efficiency and cost-saving initiatives. There were strong expressions of support for the AC increases and the IR. They noted the successful launch of the Investment Round and the Investment Case and welcomed the Secretariat’s report. Delegates reaffirmed the joint objective for a successful IR, emphasizing the need for sustainable financing to enhance WHO’s agility and efficiency. They urged partners to increase funding flexibility and broaden WHO’s donor base, including the private sector, in line with Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (FENSA). The revised definition of thematic funds and streamlined reporting were supported. Regular updates on IR modalities were requested, alongside efforts to ensure financing complements global health priorities.
Both reports were noted.
Related links
- A77/14 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025
- A77/15 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025
Reporting on operational efficiencies
- A77/17 Sustainable financing: WHO investment round
A77/35 Sustainable financing: WHO investment round
Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board to the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly
- A77/37 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025
Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board to the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly
Health emergency in Ukraine and the refugee crisis
The World Health Assembly approved a resolution entitled ‘Health emergency in Ukraine and refugee-receiving and -hosting countries, stemming from the Russian Federation`s aggression’. The resolution calls on relevant Member States to respect international law, protect medical personnel and civilians, and ensure unobstructed humanitarian access. It also requests WHO to keep supporting Ukraine and refugee-hosting countries.
Related documents
- A77/A/CONF./6 Health emergency in Ukraine and refugee-receiving and –hosting countries, stemming from the Russian Federation`s aggression (note the PDF link is for French version)
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Member States on road to lasting polio-free world
On polio eradication, Member States commended the efforts to interrupt wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) transmission in the last two remaining endemic countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, noted the decrease in the number of cases, expressed concern about the recent increase in positive environmental detections outside of the traditional reservoirs, and welcomed cross border collaboration within this single epidemiological block with continued synchronized vaccinations to reach children.
Member States also welcomed the continuing downward trend in variant poliovirus type 2 cases but expressed caution about the mixed progress in the most consequential geographies, which highlight continued gaps in population immunity. Member States underscored the importance of strengthening essential immunization, noting that whilst supplementary immunization activities have played a critical role in moving towards eradication, strengthening IPV1 coverage in general and in zero dose communities in particular should remain a top priority, encouraging stronger collaboration with immunization partners, including Gavi, and making use of opportunities such as the “Big Catch Up”.
Member States also welcomed the efforts for polio transition, including the new strategic framework that makes a series of changes to strengthen implementation, underscoring the collective duty to prepare for a polio-free world.
Rotary International, the civil society partner of the global polio eradication effort, thanked Member States for their commitments and reaffirmed the ongoing engagement of its own membership across the world.
Related links
- A77/4 Consolidated report by the Directory General; 14.4 – poliomyelitis eradication; and, polio transition planning and polio post-certification
Smallpox report: destruction of variola virus stocks
The World Health Assembly noted the report on ‘Smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks.’ Although smallpox was eradicated in 1980, the virus is held in two locations under WHO supervision to enable research. Delegates called for maintaining the existing virus stocks and continuing their inspections. Smallpox countermeasures like vaccines and treatments have been used in the multi-country mpox outbreak, which continues to affect countries worldwide. Delegates called for increasing research and development on mpox and addressing the stark inequities in access to the countermeasures.
Related documents
- EB154/20 Smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks
Items from Thursday, 30 May 2024
WHO’s work in health emergencies
On Thursday evening, 30 May, the Health Assembly considered several items related to WHO’s work in emergencies, including a report on the work done in the past year. WHO responded to 72 acute and protracted graded health emergencies in 2023, including complex crises, natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and conflicts. Thanks to over 900 partners, more than 107 million people across 29 countries and two regions were targeted for support by the health cluster in the reporting period. Operational impediments included restricted access for humanitarian workers and supplies, and poor funding of humanitarian response plans and for local partners. The report highlighted a critical funding gap for WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, hindering its ability to respond effectively. It called for increased and sustained funding, a more strategic approach to building long-term resilience, and stronger health systems to address future emergencies.
Related documents
- A77/11 Report on WHO’s work in health emergencies; Public health emergencies: preparedness and response
- A77/4 Consolidated report by the Director-General
Related links
Independent report on WHO’s work in emergencies
The Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (IOAC) is mandated to oversee and guide WHO’s work in emergencies, to advise the Director-General on issues within its mandate and to report its findings to the Health Assembly.
On Thursday, 30 May, delegates noted the report of the committee. It commended WHO’s work in emergencies over a very turbulent year and in increasingly insecure settings. It remained deeply concerned at the fragility of the situation in which WHO’s Emergencies Programme operates, including the lack of sustainable financing. The committee noted a steep increase in humanitarian health needs globally, and WHO’s increasing role in addressing these. The committee expressed serious concerns over the ongoing spread of dengue and cholera across different regions, recommending that WHO complete a risk mapping for dengue as a matter of urgency and step up its efforts to address the global shortage of oral cholera vaccines. It recommended better tracking of these diseases, more collaboration in crises, and easier reporting for countries.
Related documents
- A77/7 Report of the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme
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New focus on managing emergency preparedness for disasters resulting from natural hazards
Countries continue to face emergencies resulting from natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, tsunamis, storms, extreme temperatures, and forest fires. Health systems face additional pressures from the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related extreme weather events, and require progress on adaptation, risk reduction and preparedness efforts to protect populations. In this context, on Thursday, 30 May, the World Health Assembly endorsed a resolution strengthening health emergency preparedness for these hazards. The resolution calls for Member States to do more — and WHO to provide further support — to prepare for and manage these hazards with risk assessments, investments in resilient health systems, and coordination across government departments, social and industrial sectors, and with communities.
Related documents
- EB154/CONF./2 Strengthening health emergency preparedness for disasters resulting from natural hazards
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Implementing the International Health Regulations
The Director-General reported on progress made by Member States in implementing the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR). Almost all countries provided a self-assessment report in 2023. Numerous joint external evaluations, after- and intra-action reviews, and training were conducted to strengthen preparedness for and response to health emergencies. However, there remain delays in reporting and verifying disease outbreaks.
As COVID-19 and mpox no longer constitute public health emergencies of international concern, WHO issued standing recommendations for countries, which were welcomed by a number of Member States.
Member States noted the report and spoke to the centrality of the IHR in promoting global health security, mentioning their own efforts towards the strengthening of IHR core capacities.
Related documents
- A77/8 Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)
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Global Health and Peace Initiative
The Global Health and Peace Initiative is a global effort led by WHO to enhance the existing links between health and peace. It aims to strengthen WHO’s contributions to social cohesion, dialogue, and resilience to violence through health programs where appropriate, with partners and under national leadership.
On Thursday, 30 May 2024, Member States approved the resolution for the Secretariat to continue strengthening the roadmap towards the Global Health and Peace Initiative by gathering evidence, raising awareness about the initiative, capacity building, continuing to work with partners, and reporting back on the preceding.
Related documents
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Strengthening laboratory biological risk management
Also on 31 May 2024, the World Health Assembly endorsed a resolution on strengthening laboratory biological risk management as a necessary health security capacity. It covers laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, referring to both unintentional and intentional exposure to or release of biological or other materials. The resolution calls on Member States to develop or update national plans to include biological risk mitigation and management, build capacity of human resources, and promote a risk-based approach and culture of biosafety and biosecurity. The resolution also calls on the Secretariat to provide technical assistance to Member States, monitor developments in this area, and convene discussions to develop standards.
Related documents
- EB154(10) Strengthening laboratory biological risk management
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