Convened annually by the World Health Organization, the World Health Assembly, will bring together ministers of health, diplomats, researchers, multilateral agencies, civil society organisations, and global health leaders in Geneva, Switzerland, for its seventy-ninth session (WHA79).
Holding from May 18–23, 2026, delegations from all WHO Member States gather during the Assembly to shape policies and priorities that influence health systems across the globe.
What to Expect at the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly
This year’s Assembly convenes against a backdrop of shifting donor commitments and mounting pressure on health systems, with high-level debates, technical sessions, and strategic roundtables tackling the world’s most urgent public health challenges.
Proceedings from the Assembly will be webcast live in six official languages — Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish — expanding access to audiences around the world.
Why This Matters
The Assembly is where global health policy is made. Resolutions adopted here set the direction for WHO’s work, shape donor financing, and bind Member States to commitments on pandemic preparedness, disease elimination, and access to medicines.
For African countries, the stakes are higher this year. With traditional donor flows contracting and the continent pushing for local vaccine manufacturing, stronger primary healthcare, and a louder voice in global health governance, WHA79 is a chance to convert long-standing positions into binding outcomes.
What gets negotiated in Geneva over six days will shape health budgets, supply chains, and policy choices across African capitals for years to come.
Africa Health Dispatch: Live from Geneva
Africa Health Watch will be on the ground in Geneva, bringing timely insights and on-the-ground reporting through our Africa Health Dispatch series.
Through these updates, we will follow key conversations as they unfold, unpacking what global decisions and debates mean for African health systems, institutions, and communities.
For more information, visit the World Health Assembly official page for proceedings and explore related events through the WHA79 side events page.