• The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), the annual meeting of World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Member States, came to a close on May 27, as health leaders lauded vast accomplishments and global solidarity.

• The Assembly, WHO’s highest decision-making body, convened from May 19 to 27, under the theme “One World for Health”. 

• Member States considered approximately 75 items and sub-items across all areas of health, engaging in lively debate and adopting consequential resolutions to improve health for all.

World’s first pandemic agreement

• On May 20, Member States adopted the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement. 

• The landmark decision culminates more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The agreement is driven by the goal of making the world safer from — and more equitable in response to — future pandemics.

• The pact aims to ensure that drugs, therapeutics and vaccines are globally accessible when the next pandemic hits.

• The WHO Pandemic Agreement sets out the principles, approaches and tools for better international coordination across a range of areas, in order to strengthen the global health architecture for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. This includes equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

• The Agreement aims to enhance global coordination and cooperation, equity and access for future pandemics, all while respecting national sovereignty.

• Over the next year, Member States will build on the Resolution, by holding consultations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS), an annex to the Agreement which would enhance equitable access to medical advancements.

Sustainable financing

• In a changing financial landscape, Member States united to protect WHO’s critical work by approving the second 20 per cent increase in assessed contributions. 

• By 2030–2031, assessed contributions will make up 50 per cent of WHO’s core budget, providing more predictable, resilient, and flexible funding.

• At a high-level pledging event during WHA78, the leaders pledged at least $210 million for WHO’s Investment Round, the fundraising campaign for the Organisation’s global health strategy for the next four years.

• In addition to the $1.7 billion already raised for the Investment Round, these pledges mark a significant step toward sustainable financing of WHO. 

• Since launching in May 2024, the Investment Round has attracted 35 new contributors — moving WHO closer to the broader donor base envisioned in the Director-General’s ongoing transformation agenda.

Other major decisions and resolutions:

The accomplishments of the Assembly spanned many areas of health as Member States:

i) Adopted a new resolution highlighting the global health financing emergency.

ii) Endorsed first-ever resolutions on lung and kidney health, highlighting the upcoming UN General Assembly focus on noncommunicable diseases.

iii) Adopted a new resolution on science-driven norms and standards for health policy and implementation.

iv) Adopted a new target to halve the health impacts of air pollution by 2040. 

v) Adopted an innovative resolution to promote social connection with growing evidence linking it to improved health outcomes and reduced risk of early death.

vi) Adopted a resolution for a lead-free future.

vii) Adopted a resolution to address rare diseases, protecting the over 300 million people globally who live with one of more than 7,000 rare diseases.

viii) Agreed to expand the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes to tackle the digital marketing of formula milk and baby foods.

ix) Adopted a resolution to accelerate the eradication of Guinea worm disease.

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