- WHO Scientific advisory group issues report on origins of COVID-19The WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent, international, multidisciplinary experts, today published its report on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Energy access has improved, yet international financial support still needed to boost progress and address disparitiesTracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2025 finds that almost 92% of the world’s population now has basic access to electricity. Although this is an improvement since 2022, which saw the number of people without basic access decrease for the first time in a decade, over 666 million people remain without access, indicating that the current rate is insufficient to reach universal access by 2030. Clean cooking access is progressing but below the rates of progress seen in the 2010s, as efforts remain hobbled by setbacks during the Covid-19 pandemic, following energy price shocks, and debt crises. Released today, the latest edition of the annual report that tracks progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 highlights the role of distributed renewable energy (a combination of mini-grid and off-grid solar systems) to accelerate access, since the population remaining unconnected lives mostly in remote, lower-income, and fragile areas. Cost-effective and rapidly scalable, decentralised solutions are able to reach communities in such rural areas. Decentralised solutions are also needed to increase access to clean cooking. With an estimated 1.5 billion people residing in rural areas still lacking access to clean cooking, the use of off-grid clean technologies, such as household biogas plants and mini-grids that facilitate electric cooking, can provide solutions that reduce health impacts caused by household air pollution. Over 670 million people remain without electricity access, and over 2 billion people remain dependent on polluting and hazardous fuels such as firewood and charcoal for their cooking needs. Notable progress was made in different indicators. The international financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy grew for the third year in a row to reach US$ 21.6 billion in 2023. Installed renewables capacity per capita continued to increase year-on-year to reach a new high of 341 watts per capita in developing countries, up from 155 watts in 2015. Yet regional disparities persist, indicating that particular support is needed for developing regions. In sub-Saharan Africa – which lags behind across most indicators – renewables deployment has rapidly expanded but remains limited to 40 watts of installed capacity per capita on average which is only one-eighth of the average of other developing countries. Eighty-five percent of the global population without electricity access reside in the region, while four in five families are without access to clean cooking. And the number of people without clean cooking access in the region continues to grow at a rate of 14 million people yearly. The report identified the lack of sufficient and affordable financing as a key reason for regional inequalities and slow progress. To build on the achievements to date and avoid any further regressions on access to electricity and clean cooking due to looming risks in global markets, the report calls for strengthened international cooperation of public and private sectors, to scale up financial support for developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Urgent actions include reforms in multilateral and bilateral lending to expand the availability of public capital; more concessional finance mobilisation, grants, and risk mitigation instruments; improvement in risk tolerance among donors; as well as appropriate national energy planning and regulations. Key findings across primary indicators Almost 92% of the world’s population now has access to electricity, leaving over 666 million people without electricity in 2023, with around 310 million people gaining access since 2015. Eighteen of the 20 countries with the largest electricity access deficits in 2023 were in sub-Saharan Africa. The greatest growth in access between 2020 and 2023 occurred in Central and Southern Asia, with both regions making significant strides towards universal electricity access, reducing their basic access gap from 414 million in 2010 to just 27 million in 2023. Little to no change was observed in access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking between 2022 and 2023. Although the number of the world’s population with access to clean cooking fuels and technologies increased from 64% in 2015 to 74% in 2023, around 2.1 billion people remain dependent on polluting fuels and technologies. If current trends continue, only 78% of the global population will have access to clean cooking by 2030. In 2022, the global share of renewable energy sources in total final energy consumption (TFEC) was 17.9% as TFEC continued to increase gradually, while installed renewable energy capacity reached 478 watts per capita in 2023, indicating almost 13% growth from 2022. But progress is not sufficient to meet international climate and sustainable development goals. In addition, global efforts must address significant disparities. Despite progress in expanding renewable capacity, least developed countries and sub-Saharan Africa had only 40 watts per capita in installed renewables capacity, compared to developed countries which had over 1100 watts installed. Global energy efficiency experienced sluggish progress in recent years. The global trend shows that primary energy intensity, defined as the ratio of total energy supply to gross domestic product, declined by 2.1% in 2022. Although it is an improvement of more than four times the weak 0.5% improvement rate of 2021, it is insufficient to meet the original SDG 7.3 target. Going forward, energy intensity needs to improve by 4% per year on average. International public financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy increased by 27% from 2022, reaching US$ 21.6 billion in 2023. However, the report reveals that the developing world received fewer flows in 2023 than in 2016, when commitments peaked at US$ 28.4 billion. Despite gradual diversification, funding remained concentrated, with only two sub-Saharan African countries in the top five recipients. Debt-based instruments drove most of the increase in international public flows in 2023, accounting for 83% in 2023, while grants made up only 9.8% of flows. The report will be presented to decision-makers at a special launch event on 16 July 2025 at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, which oversees progress on the SDGs. Quotes Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency “Despite progress in some parts of the world, the expansion of electricity and clean cooking access remains disappointingly slow, especially in Africa. This is contributing to millions of premature deaths each year linked to smoke inhalation, and is holding back development and education opportunities. Greater investment in clean cooking and electricity supply is urgently required, including support to reduce the cost of capital for projects.” Francesco La Camera, Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency “Renewables have seen record growth in recent years, reminding the world of its affordability, scalability, and its role in further reducing energy poverty. But we must accelerate progress at this crunch time. This means overcoming challenges, which include infrastructure gaps. The lack of progress, especially on infrastructure, is a reflection of limited access to financing. Although international financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy grew to US$ 21.6 billion in 2023, only two regions in the world have seen real progress in the financial flows. To close the access and infrastructure gaps, we need strengthened international cooperation to scale up affordable financing and impact–driven capital for the least developed and developing countries.” Stefan Schweinfest, Director, United Nations Statistics Division “This year’s report shows that now is the time to come together to build on existing achievements and scale up our efforts. Despite advancements in increasing renewables-based electricity, which now makes up almost 30 percent of global electricity consumption, the use of renewables for other energy-related purposes remains stagnant. While energy intensity improved in 2022, overall progress remains weak, threatening economic growth and the energy efficiency goals agreed upon at COP28. The clock is ticking. The findings of this year’s report should serve as a rallying point, to rapidly mobilize efforts and investments, so that together, we ensure sustainable energy for all by 2030.” Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank "As we approach the five-year mark to achieve the SDG7 targets, it is imperative to accelerate the deployment of electricity connections, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 85% of the 666 million people lacking access reside. As part of the Mission 300 movement, 12 African nations have launched national energy compacts, in which they commit to substantial reforms to lower costs of generation and transmission, and scale up distributed renewable energy solutions. Initiatives such as this unite governments, the private sector, and development partners in a collaborative effort. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, World Health Organization “The same pollutants that are poisoning our planet are also poisoning people, contributing to millions of deaths each year from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, particularly among the most vulnerable, including women and children," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "We urgently need scaled-up action and investment in clean cooking solutions to protect the health of both people and planet—now and in the future.” About the report This report is published by the SDG 7 custodian agencies, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO) and aims to provide the international community with a global dashboard to register progress on energy access, energy efficiency, renewable energy and international cooperation to advance SDG 7. This year’s edition was chaired by IRENA. The report can be downloaded at https://trackingsdg7.esmap.org/ Funding for the report was provided by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). Editor's note On 26 June 2025, this news release was edited to correct an error in the quote from Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank. The original version had incorrectly stated that half of the 666 million people lacking access to electricity reside in sub-Saharan Africa. The correct proportion is 85%.
- Tobacco control efforts protect 6.1 billion people – WHO’s new reportThe World Health Organization (WHO) today released its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, warning that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control as rising industry interference challenges tobacco policies and control efforts. The report focuses on the six proven WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use, which claims over 7 million lives a year: Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; Protecting people from tobacco smoke with smoke-free air legislation; Offering help to quit tobacco use; Warning about the dangers of tobacco with pack labels and mass media; Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and Raising taxes on tobacco. Since 2007, 155 countries have implemented at least one of the WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use at best-practice level. Today, over 6.1 billion people, three-quarters of the world’s population, are protected by at least one such policy, compared to just 1 billion in 2007. Four countries have implemented the full MPOWER package: Brazil, Mauritius, the Netherlands (Kingdom of the), and Türkiye. Seven countries are just one measure away from achieving the full implementation of the MPOWER package, signifying the highest level of tobacco control, including Ethiopia, Ireland, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovenia and Spain. However, there are major gaps. Forty countries still have no MPOWER measure at best-practice level and more than 30 countries allow cigarette sales without mandatory health warnings. “Twenty years since the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, we have many successes to celebrate, but the tobacco industry continues to evolve and so must we,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “By uniting science, policy and political will, we can create a world where tobacco no longer claims lives, damages economies or steals futures. Together, we can end the tobacco epidemic.” The WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report, developed with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, was launched during the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control. The awards celebrated several governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) making progress to reduce tobacco use. “Since Bloomberg Philanthropies started supporting global tobacco control efforts in 2007, there has been a sea change in the way countries prevent tobacco use, but there is still a long way to go,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. “Bloomberg Philanthropies remains fully committed to WHO’s urgent work – and to saving millions more lives together.” The WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report reveals that the most striking gains have been in graphic health warnings, one of the key measures under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), that make the harms of tobacco impossible to ignore: 110 countries now require them – up from just 9 in 2007 – protecting 62% of the global population; and 25 countries have adopted plain packaging. WHO warns, however, that enforcement is inconsistent, and smokeless tobacco packaging remains poorly regulated. The new report is accompanied by a new data portal that tracks country-by-country progress between 2007–2025. Despite their effectiveness, 110 countries haven’t run anti-tobacco campaigns since 2022. However, 36% of the global population now lives in countries that have run best-practice campaigns, up from just 19% in 2022. WHO urges countries to invest in message-tested and evaluated campaigns. Taxes, quit services and advertising bans have been expanding, but many improvements are needed: Taxation: 134 countries have failed to make cigarettes less affordable. Since 2022, just 3 have increased taxes to the best-practice level. Cessation: Only 33% of people globally have access to cost-covered quit services. Advertising bans: Best-practice bans exist in 68 countries, covering over 25% of the global population. Around 1.3 million people die from second-hand smoke every year. Today, 79 countries have implemented comprehensive smoke-free environments, covering one-third of the world’s population. Since 2022, six additional countries (Cook Islands, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Uzbekistan) have adopted strong smoke-free laws, despite industry resistance, particularly in hospitality venues. There has been a growing trend to regulate the use of e-cigarettes or ENDS – Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. The number of countries regulating or banning ENDS has grown from 122 in 2022 to 133 in 2024, a clear signal of increased attention to these products. However, over 60 countries still lack any regulations on ENDS. WHO is calling for urgent action in areas where momentum is lagging. “Governments must act boldly to close remaining gaps, strengthen enforcement, and invest in the proven tools that save lives. WHO calls on all countries to accelerate progress on MPOWER and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against tobacco,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion.
- WHO issues first global guideline to improve pregnancy care for women with sickle cell diseaseThe World Health Organization (WHO) today released its first-ever global guideline on the management of sickle cell disease (SCD) during pregnancy, addressing a critical and growing health challenge that can have life-threatening consequences for both women and babies. SCD is a group of inherited blood disorders characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble crescents or sickles. These cells can block blood flow, causing severe anaemia, episodes of severe pain, recurrent infections, as well as medical emergencies like strokes, sepsis or organ failures. Health risks associated with SCD intensify during pregnancy, due to heightened demands on the body’s oxygen and nutrient supply. Women with SCD face a 4- to 11-fold higher likelihood of maternal death than those without. They are more likely to experience obstetric complications like pre-eclampsia, while their babies are at greater risk of stillbirth or being born early or small. “With quality health care, women with inherited blood disorders like sickle cell disease can have safe and healthy pregnancies and births,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO and the United Nations’ Special Programme for Human Reproduction (HRP). “This new guideline aims to improve pregnancy outcomes for those affected. With sickle cell on the rise, more investment is urgently needed to expand access to evidence-based treatments during pregnancy as well as diagnosis and information about this neglected disease.” There are around 7.7 million people living with SCD worldwide – a figure that has increased by over 40% since 2000. SCD is estimated to cause over 375 000 deaths each year. The disease is most prevalent in malaria-endemic regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa--which accounts for around 8 in 10 cases--as well as parts of the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South Asia. With population movements and improvements in life expectancy, the sickle cell gene is also becoming more widespread globally, meaning more maternity care providers need to know how to manage the disease. Until now, clinical guidance for managing SCD in pregnancy has largely drawn on protocols from high-income countries. WHO’s new guideline aims to provide evidence-based recommendations that are also relevant for low- and middle-income settings, where most cases and deaths from the disease occur. Accordingly, the guideline includes over 20 recommendations spanning: folic acid and iron supplementation, including adjustments for malaria-endemic areas; management of sickle cell crises and pain relief; prevention of infections and blood clots; use of prophylactic blood transfusions; and additional monitoring of the woman and the baby’s health throughout pregnancy. Critically, the guideline highlights the need for respectful, individualized care, adapted according to women’s unique needs, medical histories and preferences. It also addresses the importance of tackling stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings, which can be a major challenge for people with SCD in several countries around the world. “It’s essential that women with sickle cell disease can discuss their care options early in pregnancy—or ideally before—with knowledgeable providers,” said Dr Doris Chou, Medical Officer and lead author of the guideline. “This supports informed decisions about any treatment options to continue or adopt, as well as agree on ways of handling potential complications, so as to optimize outcomes for the woman, her pregnancy, and her baby.” Given the complex nature of these disorders, if a pregnant woman has SCD, the guideline notes the importance of involving skilled and knowledgeable personnel in her care team. These may include specialists like haemotologists as well as midwives, paediatricians and obstetrician-gynecologists who provide services for reproductive and newborn health. SCD is a neglected health condition that remains considerably under-funded and under-researched, despite its growing prevalence worldwide. While treatment options are improving for the general population, the guideline underscores the urgent need for more research into the safety and efficacy of SCD treatments for pregnant and breastfeeding women – populations that have historically been excluded from clinical trials. This publication is the first in a new WHO series on managing noncommunicable diseases in pregnancy. Future guidelines will address cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, respiratory diseases, mental health disorders and substance use. Chronic diseases are increasingly recognized as major contributors to maternal and newborn deaths and ill health.
- WHO calls for global expansion of midwifery models of careThe World Health Organization (WHO) today released new guidance to help countries adopt and expand midwifery models of care - where midwives serve as the main care provider for women and babies throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
- The WHO Hub in Berlin: driving innovation to make the world safer from health threatsBuilding on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin leverages innovative tools and collaborations for more effective disease surveillance worldwide. Just over three years after its inauguration, the Hub now supports over 150 countries in detecting health threats more effectively and rapidly. The Hub’s latest annual report highlights the growing impact of this work and provides key insights into progress made in 2024.
- Spain strengthens global health leadership with increased support to WHOThe Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today signed a new agreement and contribution of €5.25 million to support key WHO initiatives. “Spain has long been a close and steadfast partner to WHO and global health," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "We thank Spain for its increased flexible funding of our work, in doing so helping WHO be stronger and more independent and allowing us to deliver the services that countries and communities need from us.” This year, Spain’s commitment to global health entered a new chapter as it returned to the WHO Executive Board for the 2025–2028 term, nearly two decades since its last membership. This renewed engagement is supported by the country’s new Global Health Strategy, launched on 27 May 2025. This is underscored by today’s signing of a new agreement between Spain and WHO and a growing collaboration between both partners. At the heart of this effort is the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), under the leadership of Mr Antón Leis; AECID has significantly stepped up flexible and strategic funding for WHO activities. AECID's €5.25 million contribution to WHO is part of a broader €60 million pledge announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in November 2024. Spain’s multi-year commitment also includes support for critical health programmes in countries such as Jordan, Mali, and Sudan, as well as other global initiatives. Looking forward, Spain will host the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, 30 June–3 July 2025, where it aims to elevate health financing as a core development priority. A high-level special event – co-sponsored by WHO and featuring leaders from global health, finance, and academia – will call for bold action through the “Health financing for a safe and sustainable economy: towards Seville health financing agenda for action.”
- Fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024 – Temporary recommendationsThe Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), following the fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, held on 5 June 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CEST, concurs with its advice that the event continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern and, considering the advice of the Committee, he is hereby issuing a revised set of temporary recommendations. The WHO Director-General expresses his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Members, and Advisors of the Committee. The proceeding of the fourth meeting of the Committee will be shared with States Parties to the IHR and published in the coming days. --------- Temporary recommendations These temporary recommendations are issued to States Parties experiencing the transmission of monkeypox virus (MPXV), including, but not limited to, those where there is sustained community transmission, and where there are clusters of cases or sporadic travel-related cases of MPXV clade Ib. They are intended to be implemented by those States Parties in addition to the current standing recommendations for mpox, valid until 20 August 2025. In the context of the global efforts to prevent and control the spread of mpox disease outlined in the WHO Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox: 2024–2027, the aforementioned standing recommendations apply to all States Parties. All current WHO interim technical guidance can be accessed on this page of the WHO website. WHO evidence-based guidance has been and will continue to be updated in line with the evolving situation, updated scientific evidence, and WHO risk assessment to support States Parties in the implementation of the WHO Strategic Framework for enhancing mpox prevention and control. Pursuant to Article 3 Principle of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), the implementation of these temporary recommendations, as well as of the standing recommendations for mpox, by States Parties shall be with full respect for the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons, in line with the principles set out in Article 3 of the IHR. --------- Note: The text in backets next to each temporary recommendation indicates the status with respect to the set of temporary recommendations issued on 27 November 2024. Emergency coordination Secure political commitment and engagement to intensify mpox prevention and response efforts, including resource allocation, for the lowest administrative and operational level reporting mpox cases (hotspots) in the prior 4 weeks. (EXTENDED) Establish or enhance national and local emergency prevention and response coordination arrangements as recommended in the WHO Mpox global strategic preparedness and response plan (2025), and its upcoming iteration, and in line with the WHO Strategic framework for enhancing prevention and control of mpox: 2024–2027. (EXTENDED, with updated reference) Establish or enhance coordination among all partners and stakeholders engaged in or supporting mpox prevention and response activities through cooperation, including by introducing accountability mechanisms. (EXTENDED) Establish a mechanism to monitor the effectiveness of mpox prevention and response measures implemented at lower administrative levels, so that such measures can be adjusted as needed. (EXTENDED) Engage with and strengthen partner organizations for collaboration and support for mpox response, including humanitarian actors in contexts with insecurity, humanitarian corridors, or areas with internal or refugee population displacements and in hosting communities in insecure areas. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing) Collaborative surveillance Enhance mpox surveillance, by increasing the sensitivity of the approaches adopted and ensuring comprehensive geographic coverage. (EXTENDED) Expand access to accurate, affordable and available diagnostics to test for mpox, including through strengthening arrangements for the transport of samples, the decentralization of testing and arrangements to differentiate MPXV clades and conduct genomic sequencing. (EXTENDED) Identify, monitor and support the contacts of persons with suspected, clinically-diagnosed or laboratory-confirmed mpox to prevent onward transmission. (EXTENDED) Scale up efforts to thoroughly investigate cases and outbreaks of mpox to better understand the modes of transmission and transmission risk, and prevent its onward transmission to contacts and communities. (EXTENDED) Report to WHO suspected, probable and confirmed cases of mpox in a timely manner and on a weekly basis. (EXTENDED) Safe and scalable clinical care Provide clinical, nutritional and psychosocial support for patients with mpox, including, where appropriate and possible, isolation in care centres and/or access to materials and guidance for home-based care. (EXTENDED) Develop and implement a plan to expand access to optimized supportive clinical care for all patients with mpox, including children, pregnant women, and persons living with HIV, recognising the association of mpox-related morbidity and mortality in persons living with HIV with untreated or advanced HIV. This includes prompt identification and effective management of endemic co-infections, such as malaria, chickenpox or measles. This also includes offering HIV tests to adult patients who do not know their HIV status and to children as appropriate, testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among cases linked to sexual contact and referral to HIV/STIs treatment and care services when indicated. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing) Strengthen health and care workers’ capacity, knowledge and skills in clinical and infection and prevention and control pathways – screening, diagnosis, isolation, environmental cleaning, discharge of patients, including post discharge follow up for suspected and confirmed mpox –, and provide health and care workers with personal protective equipment (PPE). (EXTENDED) Strengthen adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and availability of water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and waste management services and infrastructure in healthcare facilities and treatment and care centers to ensure quality healthcare service delivery and protection of health and care workers, caregivers and patients. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing) International traffic Establish or strengthen cross-border collaboration arrangements for surveillance, management and support of suspected cases and contacts of mpox, and for the provision of information to travellers and conveyance operators, without resorting to travel and trade restrictions that unnecessarily impact local, regional or national economies. (EXTENDED) Vaccination Continue to prepare for and implement targeted use of vaccine for “Phase 1-Stop the outbreak” (as defined in the WHO Mpox global strategic preparedness and response plan (2025)) through the identification of the lowest administrative level reporting cases (hotspots) and targeting those groups at high risk of mpox exposure to interrupt sustained community transmission. (EXTENDED, with rephrasing and updated reference) Develop and implement plans for vaccination in the context of an integrated response at the lowest administrative level reporting cases for people at high risk of exposure (e.g., contacts of cases of all ages, health and frontline workers, and other groups at risk such as those with multiple sexual partners and sex workers in endemic and non-endemic areas). This entails a targeted integrated response, including active surveillance and contact tracing; agile adaptation of immunization strategies and plans to the local context including dose-sparing options (single dose/fractional dosing) in the context of limited availability of vaccines; proactive community engagement to generate and sustain demand for and trust in vaccination; close monitoring of mpox vaccination activities, coverage and adverse events following immunization (AEFI); assessment of vaccine effectiveness; and documenting lessons learned and their implementation. (MODIFIED) Community protection Strengthen risk communication and community engagement in affected communities and local workforces for outbreak prevention, response and vaccination strategies, particularly at the lowest administrative levels reporting cases. Key actions include training, mapping high risk and vulnerable populations for tailored interventions, data driven approaches for social listening, community feedback and dialogue, and managing misinformation. This entails, inter alia, communicating effectively the uncertainties and new information regarding the natural history of mpox and modes of transmission, the effectiveness of mpox vaccines and duration of protection following vaccination, and about any clinical trials to which the local population may have access, as appropriate. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing) Address stigma and discrimination of any kind via meaningful community engagement, particularly in health services and during risk communication activities, and through engagement with civil society groups, such as HIV networks. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing) Promote and implement IPC measures and basic WASH and waste management services in household settings, congregate settings (e.g. prisons, internally displaced persons and refugee camps, etc.), schools, points of entry and cross border transit areas. (EXTENDED) Governance and financing Galvanize and scale up national funding and explore external opportunities for targeted funding of mpox prevention, readiness and response activities, advocate for release of available funds and take steps to identify potential new funding partners for emergency response. (EXTENDED) Optimize the use of resources, in the context of global and local external funding shortfalls, by allocating available resources to the implementation of core mpox response interventions needed in the medium term; maximizing their cost-efficiency through cross-programmatic synergetic approaches; and by engaging partners in resource-sharing arrangements to maintain the delivery of essential health services. (NEW) Integrate mpox prevention and response measures, including enhanced surveillance, in existing programmes for prevention, control and treatment of other endemic diseases – especially HIV, as well as STIs, malaria, tuberculosis and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and/or non-communicable diseases – striving to identify activities which will benefit the programmes involved and lead to better health outcomes overall. (EXTENDED) Addressing research gaps Invest in addressing outstanding knowledge gaps and in generating evidence, during and after outbreaks, as defined in A coordinated research roadmap – Mpox virus - Immediate research next steps to contribute to control the outbreak (2024), including for vaccine effectiveness in different contexts. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing) Invest in field studies to better understand animal hosts and zoonotic spillover in the areas where MPXV is circulating, in coordination with the animal health sector and One Health partners. (EXTENDED) Strengthen and expand use of genomic sequencing to characterize the epidemiology and chains of transmission of MPXV to better inform control measures, particularly regarding the emergence and circulation of new virus strains. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing) Reporting on the implementation of temporary recommendations Report quarterly to WHO on the status of, and challenges related to, the implementation of these temporary recommendations, using a revised standardized tool and channels that will be made available by WHO, also allowing for the monitoring of progress and the identification of gaps of the national response. (EXTENDED, with re-phrasing)
- WHO calls for urgent protection of Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital in the Gaza StripWHO warns that the Gaza Strip’s health system is collapsing, with Nasser Medical Complex, the most important referral hospital left in Gaza, and Al-Amal Hospital at risk of becoming non-functional. There are already no hospitals functioning in the north of Gaza. Nasser and Amal are the last two functioning public hospitals in Khan Younis, where currently most of the population is living. Without them, people will lose access to critical health services. While these hospitals have not received orders to evacuate patients or staff, they lie within or just outside the evacuation zone announced on 2 June. Israeli authorities have informed the Ministry of Health that access routes leading to both hospitals will be obstructed. As a result, safe access for new patients and staff will be difficult, if not impossible. If the situation further deteriorates, both hospitals are at high risk of becoming non-functional, due to movement restrictions, insecurity, and the inability of WHO and partners to resupply or transfer patients. Nasser and Al Amal hospitals are operating above their capacity, while people with life-threatening injuries continue to arrive to seek urgent care amid a dire shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies. The hospitals going out of service would have dire consequences for patients in need of surgical care, intensive care, blood bank and transfusion services, cancer care, and dialysis. Losing the two hospitals would cut 490 beds, reducing the Gaza Strip’s overall hospital bed availability to less than 1400 hospital beds (40% less hospital beds available in the Gaza Strip than before the start of the conflict), for the entire population of 2 million people. The relentless and systematic decimation of hospitals in Gaza has been going on for too long. It must end immediately. For over 20 months, health workers, WHO, and partners have managed to keep health services partly running despite extreme conditions. But repeated attacks, escalating hostilities, denial of aid, and restricted access have systematically dismantled the health system. WHO calls for urgent protection of Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital to ensure they remain accessible, functional and safe from attacks and hostilities. Patients seeking refuge and care to save their lives must not risk losing them trying to reach hospitals. Hospitals must never be militarized or targeted. WHO calls for the delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies into Gaza to be immediately expedited safely and facilitated through all possible routes. WHO calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Notes to editors Only 17 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are currently partially functional. Of these, just five, including Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital, are major referral facilities, accounting for 75% of all the Gaza Strip’s hospital beds. Nasser Medical Complex is operating at 180% over bed capacity and Al Amal Hospital is at 100%. Currently, one national and four international Emergency Medical Teams are deployed at Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals as part of efforts to provide specialized care and strengthen hospital capacity. Acute shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies are severely disrupting health services in all hospitals, while about 50 WHO trucks of supplies await at Al-Arish and in the West Bank.
- One year in detention: heads of United Nations agencies and INGOs renew demand for release of staff detained in northern YemenThis week marks one year since dozens of personnel from the United Nations, nongovernmental and civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions were arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities in northern Yemen. Others have been detained since as far back as 2021. Today, we reiterate our urgent demand for their immediate and unconditional release. As of today, 23 UN and five international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) personnel remain arbitrarily detained. Tragically, one UN staff member and another from Save the Children have died in detention. Others have lost loved ones while being held, denied the chance to attend their funerals or say goodbye. Our arbitrarily detained colleagues have spent at least 365 days – and for some, over 1000 days – isolated from their families, children, husbands, and wives, in flagrant breach of international law. The toll of this detention is also weighing heavily on their families, who continue to endure the unbearable pain of absence and uncertainty as they face another Eid without their loved one. Nothing can justify their ordeal. They were doing their jobs, helping people in desperate need: people without food, shelter, or adequate health care. Yemen remains one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 19 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, many of whom rely on it for survival. A safe and enabling operating environment for humanitarian operations, including the release of detained personnel, is essential to maintaining and restoring assistance to those in need. Humanitarian workers should never be targeted or detained while carrying out their mandates to serve the people of Yemen. The prolonged detention of our colleagues has a chilling effect across the international community, undermining support for Yemen and hindering humanitarian response. It has also undermined mediation efforts for lasting peace. We acknowledge the release of one UN and two NGO personnel and the recent release of an Embassy staff member. We call on the de facto authorities to deliver on their previous commitments, including those made to the Director-General of the World Health Organization during his mission to Sana'a in December 2024. The UN and INGOs will continue to work through all possible channels to secure the safe and immediate release of those arbitrarily detained. Signatories: Achim Steiner, Administrator, UNDP Amitabh Behar, OXFAM International Executive Director Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director Hans Grundberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Inger Ashing, Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- WHO Director-General: Member States reaffirm commitment to WHO and global health at historic World Health AssemblyWHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the commitment shown by the Organization’s Member States which, during nearly two weeks of meetings, adopted historic measures to make the world safer and healthier. The landmark adoptions of the first global agreement to make the world safer from future pandemics and increase in financial support to the World Health Organization were the highlights of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, which ran from 19–27 May. Immediately after, the WHO Executive Board met for two days, until 29 May, to address the Health Assembly’s outcome, WHO governance reform and the nomination and appointment of regional directors. Dr Tedros said Member States demonstrated their commitment to WHO and multilateral action to protect and promote public health. “WHO and many of our Member States and health partners are facing various challenges,” he said. “But the World Health Assembly has sent a clear message: countries want a strong WHO and are committed to working together with WHO to build a healthier, safer and fairer world. These were strong votes of confidence in WHO at this critical time.” Making the world safer from pandemics “The Health Assembly’s adoption of the Pandemic Agreement on 20 May was a landmark in the history of WHO and global health,” said Dr Tedros. “Despite many obstacles, and in the face of significant mis- and disinformation, WHO’s Member States have succeeded in negotiating and adopting a legally binding agreement to make the world safer from pandemics.” The Pandemic Agreement sets out a range of measures to prevent pandemics and strengthen health system resilience, including through improving the rapid sharing of pathogens; ensuring fair, equitable and timely access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics; and strengthening technology transfer, financing and supply chains. Dr Tedros said adoption of the Pandemic Agreement was not the end of the journey, adding that Member States still must negotiate the annex on pathogen access and benefit sharing for adoption at an upcoming Health Assembly. The next step would be for 60 countries to ratify the agreement, including the annex, before it enters into force as an instrument of international law. “But having watched this process over the past three and a half years, I am confident of two things,” the WHO Director-General said. “First, that Member States will finish the job by May next year (2026), as they have committed to doing; and second, that the deception and distortion will continue.” In particular, Dr Tedros said while it has been widely acknowledged that the Pandemic Agreement will not infringe on national sovereignty, some quarters will continue to repeat the false claims. “Let me be clear once again: the Pandemic Agreement will not infringe on national sovereignty, period. And the Pandemic Agreement does not give WHO any powers, period,” Dr Tedros said. “WHO’s job is to make recommendations to governments, but what governments do with those recommendations is entirely up to them. WHO is not even a party to the Agreement. This is an agreement between sovereign nations, and it will be ratified and implemented by sovereign nations that choose to do so. The intentional distortion of the Pandemic Agreement as ceding power to WHO must stop.” Assessed contributions increase The Assembly’s other major outcome was the approval of WHO’s 2026–27 Programme Budget, including the next 20% increase in assessed contributions, adding US$ 90 million in fully predictable and flexible funds to WHO’s income each year. In 2022, Member States agreed to increase assessed contributions progressively to 50% of our base budget, from just 16% at the time. This rise is the cornerstone of WHO’s transformation of its approach to sustainable financing by diversifying its donor base and receiving increased support from all of its Member States towards WHO’s core budget and programme of work. “This is another major step towards making WHO less dependent on earmarked voluntary funds from a handful of traditional donors,” said Dr Tedros. “WHO also held a pledging event at which Member States and philanthropic donors committed at least US$ 210 million in additional funding to the WHO Investment Round.” In addition to these two major achievements, the Health Assembly also celebrated several countries for eliminating diseases, and eliminating industrial trans-fat from their manufactured food supplies. WHO Member States also adopted several important resolutions, reflecting WHO’s vast mission and mandate, including a new target to halve the health impacts of air pollution by 2040; new targets for nutrition in mothers and young children; to strengthen regulation of digital marketing of formula milk and baby foods; and a new global strategy for traditional medicine. Countries for the first time also adopted resolutions on lung health and kidney health, and for a lead-free future, and established World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and World Prematurity Day as official WHO health campaigns. Resolutions on digital health, Guinea worm disease, health financing, the health and care workforce, medical imaging, nursing and midwifery, rare diseases, sensory impairment, skin diseases, social connection and more were also adopted.
- WHO outlines recommendations to protect infants against RSV – respiratory syncytial virusToday, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first-ever position paper on immunization products to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally. Every year, RSV causes about 100 000 deaths and over 3.6 million hospitalizations in children under the age of 5 years worldwide. About half of these deaths occur in infants younger than 6 months of age. The vast majority (97%) of RSV deaths in infants occur in low- and middle-income countries where there is limited access to supportive medical care, such as oxygen or hydration. Published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER), the position paper outlines WHO recommendations for two immunization products: a maternal vaccine that can be given to pregnant women in their third trimester to protect their infant and a long-acting monoclonal antibody that can be administered to infants from birth, just before or during the RSV season. “RSV is an incredibly infectious virus that infects people of all ages, but is especially harmful to infants, particularly those born premature, when they are most vulnerable to severe disease,” says Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals at WHO. “The WHO-recommended RSV immunization products can transform the fight against severe RSV disease, dramatically reduce hospitalizations, and deaths, ultimately saving many infant lives globally.” RSV usually causes mild symptoms similar to the common cold, including runny nose, cough and fever. However, it can lead to serious complications – including pneumonia and bronchiolitis – in infants, young children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions. Two immunization products to protect against RSV In response to the global burden of severe RSV disease among infants, WHO recommends that all countries introduce either the maternal vaccine, RSVpreF, or the monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab depending on the feasibility of implementation within each country’s existing health system, cost-effectiveness and anticipated coverage. Both products were recommended by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) for global implementation in September 2024. In addition, the maternal vaccine received WHO prequalification in March 2025, allowing it to be purchased by UN agencies. WHO recommends that the maternal vaccine be given to pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy, from week 28 onwards, to optimize for the adequate transfer of antibodies to their baby. The vaccine may be given during routine antenatal care, including at one of the 5 WHO-recommended antenatal care visits in the third trimester or any additional medical consultations. The second WHO-recommended immunization product, nirsevimab, is given as a single injection of monoclonal antibodies that starts protecting babies against RSV within a week of administration and lasts for at least 5 months, which can cover the entire RSV season in countries with RSV seasonality. WHO recommends that infants receive a single dose of nirsevimab right after birth or before being discharged from a birthing facility. If not administered at birth, the monoclonal antibody can be given during the baby's first health visit. If a country decides to administer the product only during the RSV season rather than year-round, a single dose can also be given to older infants just before entering their first RSV season. The greatest impact on severe RSV disease will be achieved by administering the monoclonal antibody to infants under 6 months of age. However, there is still a potential benefit among infants up to 12 months of age. WHO regularly issues updated position papers on vaccines, combinations of vaccines and other immunization products against diseases that have major public health impact. These papers focus primarily on the use of vaccines in large-scale vaccination programmes. The new position paper aims to inform national public health policymakers and immunization programme managers on the use of RSV immunization products in their national programmes, as well as national and international funding agencies.
- WHO calls for urgent action to ban flavoured tobacco and nicotine productsOn World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) today launches a new publication and calls on governments to urgently ban all flavours in tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, pouches, hookahs and e-cigarettes, to protect youth from addiction and disease. Flavours like menthol, bubble gum and cotton candy are masking the harshness of tobacco and nicotine products turning toxic products into youth-friendly bait. Flavours not only make it harder to quit but have also been linked to serious lung diseases. Cigarettes, which still kill up to half of their users, also come in flavours or can have flavours added to them. “Flavours are fuelling a new wave of addiction, and should be banned,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “They undermine decades of progress in tobacco control. Without bold action, the global tobacco epidemic, already killing around 8 million people each year, will continue to be driven by addiction dressed up with appealing flavours.” The publication, Flavour accessories in tobacco products enhance attractiveness and appeal, reveals how flavours and accessories like capsule filters and click-on drops are marketed to bypass regulations and hook new users. Currently: over 50 countries ban flavoured tobacco; more than 40 countries ban e-cigarette sales; 5 specifically ban disposables and 7 ban e-cigarette flavours; and flavour accessories remain largely unregulated. Countries such as Belgium, Denmark, and Lithuania are taking action, and WHO urges others to follow. Flavours are a leading reason why young people try tobacco and nicotine products. Paired with flashy packaging and social media-driven marketing, they’ve increased the appeal of nicotine pouches, heated tobacco, and disposable vapes into addictive and harmful products, which aggressively target young people. “We are watching a generation get hooked on nicotine through gummy bear-flavoured pouches and rainbow-coloured vapes,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, WHO Director of Health Promotion. “This isn’t innovation, it’s manipulation. And we must stop it.” WHO reiterates that tobacco products, including heated tobacco products, expose users to cancer-causing chemicals and should be strictly regulated. The 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign honours governments, youth activists and civil society leaders pushing back against industry interference. “Your actions are changing policy and saving lives,” said Dr Krech. With around 8 million tobacco-related deaths each year, the time for action is now. Flavours, and the industries that deploy them, have no place in a healthy future. Information sheets The role of flavours in increasing the appeal of tobacco, nicotine and related products Flavour accessories in tobacco products enhance attractiveness and appeal Understanding the design features of tobacco, nicotine and related products and their possible effects Manipulation and marketing strategies used by tobacco and nicotine industries to promote their products
- WHO, Africa CDC and RKI expand implementation of a unique partnership to strengthen collaborative surveillance in AfricaThe World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom announced today the expansion of the successful Health Security Partnership to Strengthen Disease Surveillance in Africa (HSPA) to seven countries on the continent. Africa experiences more disease outbreaks than any other part of the world. While significant progress has been made in strengthening disease surveillance over the past decade, no country can tackle today’s complex health threats alone. The Health Security Partnership strengthens disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence across the African continent, enabling countries to better detect and respond to public health threats - whether they are natural, accidental or deliberate. Launched in 2023 in six countries, The Gambia, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa and Tunisia, the partnership will expand to Rwanda in its second phase which runs from 2025 to 2028. At the heart of the initiative is a collaborative surveillance approach that connects health and security sectors to reduce biological risks and strengthen surveillance systems nationally and internationally. HSPA is aligned with the health security objectives of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and the Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa (SIMBA). “HSPA represents an important step forward in building stronger partnerships for health security in Africa. By bringing together global, regional and national actors, this initiative supports countries in strengthening Collaborative Surveillance through mutual exchange and practical action. WHO remains committed to working alongside Member States to ensure that these collective efforts are well-coordinated, responsive, and rooted in national priorities,” said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa; Deputy Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme. The partnership is supporting countries to strengthen capacities in biorisk management, event and indicator-based surveillance, genomic surveillance and epidemic intelligence. This is achieved through training, guidance development, co-creation of implementation roadmaps, and hands-on technical assistance to ensure that implementation is aligned with country priorities, embedded within broader national systems, and built for long-term sustainability. “Within the framework of this project, Africa CDC will work with the Member States in mobilizing political will for biosecurity and surveillance, establishing regional frameworks for bio-surveillance of high-consequence biological agents and toxins, and coordinating event-based surveillance. The collaboration with other partners and coordination with Member States is crucial especially in the current context of limited resources to strengthen the continent's capacity for early detection, response, and management of biological threats,” said Dr Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director General and Head, Division of Public Health Institutes and Research, Africa CDC. The HSPA initiative has been supported from the start by the Government of Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program, with additional funding in phase two from the Government of the United Kingdom. Building on the achievements in phase one, the participating countries, with support from WHO and partners, will accelerate implementation to build a healthier, safer and more resilient Africa. Editor's note On 29 May 2025, a correction was made to this news release, both in the headline and the main text, to reflect the joint announcement of the HSPA expansion with the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom, and to acknowledge HSPA’s alignment with the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and the Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa (SIMBA).
- Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly concludes: historic outcomes, consequential highlightsThe Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78), the annual meeting of World Health Organization’s (WHO) Member States, came to a close Tuesday, as health leaders lauded vast accomplishments and global solidarity. The Assembly, WHO’s highest decision-making body, convened from 19 May to 27 May, 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. “The words ‘historic’ and ‘landmark’ are overused, but they are perfectly apt to describe this year’s World Health Assembly,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The adoption of the Pandemic Agreement and the approval of the next increase in assessed contributions, along with the numerous other resolutions that Member States adopted are a sign to the world that we can achieve cooperation in the face of conflict, and unity amid division.” World’s first pandemic agreement: equity for all On 20 May, Member States adopted the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement. The moment was met with heartfelt applause, celebrating over three years of intense negotiations by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, comprising WHO’s Member States. The adoption of the Agreement is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to safeguard the world from a repeat of the suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 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: protecting the future of global health In a changing financial landscape, Member States united to protect WHO’s critical work by approving the second 20% increase in assessed contributions (ACs). By 2030–2031, ACs will make up 50% of WHO’s core budget, providing more predictable, resilient, and flexible funding. The Assembly’s commitment to sustainable financing did not stop there; at a high-level pledging event during WHA78, health leaders pledged at least US$ 210 million for WHO’s Investment Round, the fundraising campaign for the Organization’s global health strategy for the next four years (the Fourteenth General Programme of Work). In addition to the US$ 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. Action for health: major decisions and resolutions WHA 78 was steadfast in addressing ongoing health issues and adaptable in targeting threats and conflicts. The accomplishments of the Assembly spanned many areas of health as Member States adopted a new resolution highlighting the global health financing emergency; endorsed first-ever resolutions on lung and kidney health, highlighting the upcoming UN General Assembly focus on noncommunicable diseases; adopted a new resolution on science-driven norms and standards for health policy and implementation; adopted a new target to halve the health impacts of air pollution by 2040; adopted an innovative resolution to promote social connection with growing evidence linking it to improved health outcomes and reduced risk of early death; adopted a resolution for a lead-free future; adopted a resolution to address rare diseases, protecting the over 300 million people globally who live with one of more than 7000 rare diseases; 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; adopted a resolution to accelerate the eradication of Guinea worm disease. The Assembly adopted other resolutions on digital health, the health and care workforce, medical imaging, nursing and midwifery, sensory impairment, and skin diseases, among others. Two new official WHO health campaigns were established: World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and World Prematurity Day. Strengthening health emergency preparedness and response The World Health Assembly also discussed WHO’s work in health emergencies. Over the last year, WHO responded internationally to 51 graded emergencies across 89 countries and territories, including global outbreaks of cholera and mpox – a public health emergency of international concern – as well as multiple humanitarian crises. Working with over 900 partners across 28 health clusters, WHO helped provide health assistance for 72 million people in humanitarian settings. Nearly 60% of new emergencies were climate-related, highlighting the growing health impacts of climate change. During the Assembly, Member States considered matters pertaining to WHO’s work in health emergencies and commended the Organization’s leadership in this space; noted the Director-General’s report on implementation of the health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience (HEPR) framework and expressed their support for the strengthening of the global architecture; considered the health needs of people in Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian territory; noted the Director-General’s report on progress made in implementing the International Health Regulations (2005); and approved a resolution to strengthen the research base on public health and social measures to control outbreaks. Note to editors On 28 May 2025 a small change was made on the final bullet point of this news release, from "approved a decision to strengthen" to "approved a resolution to strengthen".
- Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 27 May 2025Countries agree to update action plan to reduce deaths from antimicrobial resistance The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly approved a decision to update the Global action plan (GAP) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), for discussion at next year’s World Health Assembly (WHA79) in 2026. An estimated 4.71 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR as of 2021, according to the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). The GAP update will offer a practical framework for the next 10 years to achieve the targets and commitments included in the political declaration of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR in 2024 – including a 10% reduction in global deaths associated with bacterial AMR by 2030. Since the global action plan was adopted in 2015, over 170 countries have developed multi-sectoral national action plans to address AMR. The updated plan will ensure the latest guidance is available to help countries accelerate implementation. It will reflect a multisectoral One Health approach, which aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. WHO and the other Quadripartite organizations – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) – will develop this update in consultation with Member States and relevant stakeholders. The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly also considered progress made in supporting countries to prevent infections; ensure universal access to quality and affordable diagnosis and appropriate treatment; strengthen surveillance, research and innovation; and enhance AMR awareness, governance and financing. Looking ahead, other WHO priorities include supporting countries to achieve efficiencies by integrating AMR interventions in health sector planning and financing, and enhancing coordination and governance of the AMR response at all levels, including with the Quadripartite. Related links A78/8: Antimicrobial resistance – Report by the Director-General Assembly adopts the Global action plan on climate change and health for 2025–2028 At the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in 2025, Member States expressed support for the first-ever draft Global action plan on climate change and health, marking an important step forward in global health and climate policy. The draft Global action plan 2025–2028 (EB156(40)) acknowledged the urgent need to address the health impacts of climate change, positioning health systems as part of the climate solution. It aims to provide a strategic framework to guide Member States, the WHO Secretariat and other stakeholders in developing climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems; enhancing surveillance and early warning systems; protecting vulnerable populations; and integrating health into climate policy and financing mechanisms. Building on commitments made at previous Conference of the Parties (COPs) and the outcomes of the Executive Board meeting in February 2025, this plan supports WHO’s work to promote health leadership in the global climate agenda and coordinate country-level action and implementation. By supporting this Global action plan, the Assembly affirmed that climate action is not only an environmental priority but also a strategic health priority. While recognizing this important progress, some Member States noted that more time and dialogue are needed to reach consensus on certain principles and language used in the action plan moving forward. Related links: Climate change and health: Draft Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health A78/4 Add.2 Documents A78/4, A78/4 Add.2 and EB156/2025/REC/1, decision EB156(40) Draft Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health as contained in decision EB156(40) and EB156/25)
- Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 26 May 2025Countries overwhelmingly agree on a new voluntary target for air pollution and health Member States at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly strongly approved an updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution, reaffirming their commitment to protect populations from the world’s largest environmental health risk. The decision updates the 2016 strategy endorsed under WHA69/18 and builds on the landmark resolution WHA68.8 adopted in 2015. Today, 99% of the world’s population breathes air that does not meet WHO air quality guidelines. The health burden from air pollution falls disproportionately on vulnerable and marginalized populations, particularly in low-resource settings where fragile health systems face compound challenges. Air pollution is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths annually, primarily from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer as well as pneumonia. It is now recognized as the fifth major risk factor for NCDs alongside tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. The updated road map sets the first voluntary target to halve the health impacts of air pollution by 2040 through improved surveillance, knowledge synthesis, institutional capacity building, and global leadership. It provides practical guidance for health authorities to advocate for clean air, inform policy, and protect communities – especially those most at risk. With this new Resolution, WHO and its Member States commit to scaling up action to monitor, prevent, and mitigate the health impacts of air pollution. The decision represents a critical step toward cleaner air, healthier lives, and accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Related documents: A78/4, EB156/24, EB156/2025/REC/1, decision EB156(33) Countries commit to regulate the digital marketing of formula milk and baby foods In a new resolution, Member States agreed to expand the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) to tackle the digital marketing of formula milk and baby foods. The Code is a landmark public health agreement passed by the World Health Assembly in 1981, which aims to protect caregivers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry. This advertising often makes misleading claims about the benefits of formula milk products, promotes unhealthy baby foods to parents, and reinforces negative myths about breastfeeding. Over recent years, new tactics for digital marketing have proliferated, for instance through influencer endorsements, virtual “support groups”, and personal targeting of pregnant women and new parents across their social media feeds. Many of these promotions are funded by baby food companies but their sponsorship is undisclosed. Advertisements are widely circulated across national borders – creating new challenges for regulation. In line with recent guidance from WHO, the 2025 Resolution calls for robust efforts to develop, strengthen and coordinate the regulation of digital marketing to protect children’s health. It calls on countries to build effective systems for monitoring and enforcement. Despite the existence of the Code, a major study from WHO and UNICEF found that over half of new parents had been exposed to promotions from formula milk companies. In some countries, this was over 90%. The new Resolution covers the marketing of formula milks, teats and bottles, as well as foods for infants and young children. Related document: EB156/CONF./16 Rev. 1 Related links: Guidance on regulatory measures aimed at restricting digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes Scope and impact of digital marketing strategies for promoting breast-milk substitutes Member States commit to accelerate action on health and care workforce Member States reaffirmed their commitment to protect and invest in the global health and care workforce, identifying specific actions to address national shortages, conditions of work and the increasing rates of health worker migration. The Assembly reviewed the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030, which highlights a slowdown in progress and an increase in the projected global shortfall in health workers to 11.1 million by 2030 – up from the 2022 estimate of 10.2 million. Countries adopted a resolution – sponsored by Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Thailand – calling for accelerated investment in health professionals’ education, job creation, and retention; improved working conditions; and a harnessing of the potential of digital technologies and AI in support of health workers. The Assembly also considered new data and recommendations on the international migration of health workers and how to strengthen ethical recruitment in alignment with the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. A record 105 countries reported on international migration. The Assembly noted the findings of the Code’s third review and endorsed a decision to hold regional consultations on the draft findings of the Expert Advisory Group in 2025, including on its emphasis on mutual benefits, co-investment and sustainable solutions, alongside better regulation of private recruitment and inclusion of care workers. Related documents: EB156/CONF./14 EB156/14 Countries approve a landmark resolution for a lead-free future With broad support, countries approved a resolution galvanizing global support for a lead-free future. The Resolution affirms the global health sector’s commitment to tackle exposure to lead, one of WHO’s top 10 chemicals of major public health concern. Member states also acknowledged that exposure to hazardous chemicals and pollution contributes to over 9 million premature deaths annually – one in six globally – with a disproportionate impact on populations in vulnerable situations, especially children, pregnant women, and communities in low- and middle-income countries. Member States are urged to reduce exposures to hazardous chemicals, such as lead, mercury, persistent organic pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, by integrating health into environmental policies and regulations and improving waste management systems, including for growing challenges related to plastics and e-waste pollution. Countries committed to implementing WHO’s chemicals roadmap, and enhancing national capacities and global cooperation through multilateral agreements such as the Global Framework on Chemicals, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. WHO will consult with countries and translate Resolution EB156(32) into a Global action plan on lead mitigation and continue providing technical assistance and guidance in strengthening health sector leadership, to protect communities from preventable health risks due to hazardous chemicals, waste and pollution. By adopting EB156(32) and acknowledging exposure to lead and other chemicals, waste and pollution as threats to health, Member States have taken a decisive action toward addressing environmental determinants and the root causes of ill health, advancing health equity, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Related documents: The impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health A78/4 EB156/2025/REC/1 EB156(32) Member States agree on a new global traditional medicine strategy for 2025–2034 Members of the World Health Assembly agreed on the new WHO global traditional medicine strategy to take forward development of evidence-based practice of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into the next decade. In arriving at this Strategy, Member States debated crucial components for inclusion, such as establishing a robust evidence base for traditional medicine practices, developing mechanisms for regulation and safety, creating integrated health-care service delivery models where appropriate, and ensuring qualified practitioners. With this Strategy, the Member States explicitly recognized not only the role of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples but also the upholding their rights, while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation in the context of TCIM. Under the 2025-2034 strategy, WHO will assist Member States in strengthening the evidence base for TCIM, bolstering safety, quality and effectiveness, and, where appropriate, facilitating its integration into health systems while optimizing cross-sector collaboration. Implementation and monitoring of the Strategy are key elements. WHO will support Member States in implementing and adapting the Strategy, providing guidance and technical assistance as needed. This new Strategy aims to unlock the full potential of TCIM to improve global health and well-being in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and universal health coverage (UHC). Related links: EB156(28) World Prematurity Day approved as a mandated global health campaign Endorsing the urgent need for action on preterm births, Member States agreed to announce World Prematurity Day as an official WHO health campaign. The campaign will complement efforts to improve prevention of preterm births and ensure lifesaving health care for babies born early or small. Preterm births are defined as births that occur before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Related complications, which include difficulties breathing as well as infections and hypothermia, are the leading cause of death amongst children aged under 5 years. Those who survive can face significant and long-term disability and ill health. The Resolution also calls on countries to invest in proven high-impact interventions – like special newborn care units, kangaroo mother care and family support -- that improve outcomes for babies born early or small. The campaign was approved as part of discussions on the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016-2030), and is aligned with last year’s Resolution to accelerate progress in improving maternal, newborn, and child survival. Related document: EB156/CONF./12 Related link: Fact sheet on preterm birth Member States agree on actions addressing the health impacts of nuclear war Countries agreed on a resolution entitled "Effects of Nuclear War on Public Health". The Resolution was proposed by Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Iraq, Kazakhstan, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), New Zealand, Peru, Samoa, and Vanuatu. It underscores the serious health risks posed by nuclear weapons and reaffirms WHO’s constitutional principle that health is fundamental to peace and security. Recalling past WHO and UN resolutions and reports, the Resolution highlights the long-standing recognition of the devastating health and environmental consequences of nuclear war. Nuclear war would have catastrophic consequences for human health – both immediate and long-term. At the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024, Member States raised an alarm on the rising threat of nuclear conflict, calling it an existential risk to humanity, and reaffirmed their commitment to total nuclear disarmament. The new Resolution requests the WHO Director-General to update earlier reports on nuclear war’s impacts on health and health systems, cooperate with relevant stakeholders and UN bodies, and report back to the World Health Assembly by 2029. It also encourages Member States to support this work, in line with their national contexts and legal frameworks, recognizing that preventing nuclear war is essential for global health, security, and the survival of humanity. Related documents: A78/A/CONF./1 World Health Assembly, 36. (1983). Effects of nuclear war on health and health services: report of the International Committee of Experts in Medical Sciences and Public Health to implement resolution WHA34.38. World Health Organization. World Health Assembly, 46. (1993). Health and environmental effects of nuclear weapons: report by the Director-General. World Health Organization. Assembly to review substandard and falsified medical products report in 2026 Countries approved a decision to provide additional time to finalize the report of the fourteenth meeting of the Member State mechanism (MsM) regarding global health threats posed by substandard and falsified (SF) medical products. The final report will now be submitted to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in 2026, via the 158th session of the Executive Board. This decision follows a request by the Steering Committee of the MsM for more time to consider specific recommendations from the 2023 independent evaluation, particularly those concerning potential revisions to the mechanism’s format. WHO is actively supporting this process by providing both legal and operational guidance. With an estimated 1 in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries being substandard or falsified, and economic losses ranging from US$ 75 to 200 billion annually, the stakes are high. SF incidents nearly tripled between 2019 and 2023, exacerbated by online distribution, weak regulatory oversight and surveillance, and humanitarian crises. Established through Resolution WHA65.19 in 2012, the MsM has served as a cornerstone of WHO’s global strategy, enabling countries to collaborate in preventing, detecting, and responding to SF medical products. The 2023 evaluation reaffirmed the mechanism’s relevance and underscored its unique role in global coordination. However, it also called for improvements, including regional engagement, broader stakeholder collaboration, and enhanced operational agility. WHO reiterated its full commitment to reinforcing the mechanism as a cornerstone of global health security, calling on continued engagement from governments, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, donors and civil society. Related documents: WHA76(10) EB156/12 Substandard and falsified medical products Related links: WHO Member State Mechanism Flags of non-Member Observer States Delegates decided that “the flags of non-Member Observer States at the United Nations shall be raised at the World Health Organization... and does not constitute Member State status in the World Health Organization.” The discussion focused specifically on having the Palestinian flag raised at WHO, as a non-Member Observer State, and cited UN resolution 20.15 as a basis for the flag to be raised there. Related document: A78/B/CONF./2 Considering the withdrawal of a Member State There was a request for the Executive Board, at its meeting in January 2026, to consider the withdrawal of Argentina and to submit a report thereon to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. Related document: A78/33 Add.1
- African Union and World Health Organization renew strategic partnership to drive impact and strengthen health systems in AfricaThe World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU) Commission renewed their longstanding strategic partnership today with the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. This renewed agreement reaffirms the joint commitment to advancing health security, universal health coverage, and sustainable development across the African continent at a time of unprecedented financial challenges in the global health landscape. It further underscores the African Union’s leadership in fostering collective action, inclusive partnerships, and regional resilience, and positions the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development of the AU Commission at the heart of the continent’s health policy implementation efforts. The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Ambassador Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, on behalf of His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. It marks a defining moment for primary health care and universal health coverage. Commissioner Twum-Amoah emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement and the AU’s leadership in shaping Africa’s health landscape: “This Agreement marks a new chapter in AU–WHO cooperation. By working together more closely, we can better respond to the health needs of our populations and ensure that no one is left behind. The African Union values WHO’s central and leading role in global health and looks forward to deepening this strategic partnership in support of our shared goals. We need to move from budgeting for survival to planning for health sovereignty,” she added. Building on the foundation of the 2019 MoU, the renewed agreement streamlines and strengthens collaboration across all AU entities. It aligns efforts in support of Africa’s health priorities and sets the stage for enhanced cooperation between WHO and the AU. It also reaffirms WHO’s central technical and normative leadership role in global and regional health, and its commitment to supporting the AU and its institutions in achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals. “This renewed agreement comes at a critical time, as cuts to bilateral aid imperil the health of millions in Africa,” said Dr Tedros. “It reflects our determination to translate our partnership into tangible results for the people of Africa, and support countries to leave behind the era of aid dependency and transition to sustainable self-reliance. We are proud to stand with the African Union in driving forward the health priorities of the continent.” The Memorandum outlines five key areas of collaboration: health systems strengthening: including regulatory harmonization, support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, traditional medicine, domestic health financing, workforce development, and digital health innovation; reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH): with continued support for the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA Plus 2021–2030) and advancement of the reviewed Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization (ADi); disease prevention and control: supporting the implementation of AU frameworks on communicable and noncommunicable diseases, including efforts to end AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria; eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); and address the burden of viral hepatitis in line with WHO strategies; nutrition and food security: strengthening the nutrition agenda through implementation of the Africa Nutrition Strategy 2015–2025 and related WHO strategies; and health in emergency settings: by strengthening joint responses to humanitarian crises, conflicts, and climate-related emergencies. The timing of the renewed agreement is significant. It reflects the African Union’s elevated voice in global health governance – bolstered by its G20 membership – and highlights WHO’s ongoing key role as a trusted technical and operational partner. The renewed MoU marks new momentum for regional and multilateral cooperation to address Africa’s most pressing health challenges and deliver meaningful, lasting results on the continent. For further information: Professor Julio Rakotonirina | Director | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail JulioR@africa-union.org Ms Stéphanie Seydoux | Director | DG Envoy for Multilateral Affairs| World Health Organization| E-mail seydouxs@who.int
- Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 24 May 2025First-ever rare diseases resolution underscores equity and inclusion Member States today adopted a landmark resolution declaring rare diseases a global health priority in an effort to ensure that no patients are left behind. The Resolution recognizes that over 300 million people globally live with one of more than 7000 rare diseases, most of which begin in childhood and can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial hardship. The Resolution urges countries to integrate rare diseases into national health planning, improve diagnosis and care through universal health coverage, promote inclusive policies, and accelerate innovation, research, and access to affordable treatment. Importantly, the Resolution mandates WHO to develop a comprehensive 10-year global action plan on rare diseases, with measurable targets to guide progress toward equity, inclusion, and access to care for all affected individuals. Related document: EB 156/6 Related link: International Classification of Diseases: Rare diseases Countries endorse resolution to tackle global health financing emergency The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly approved a new resolution on strengthening health financing globally, reaffirming their commitment to delivering universal health coverage (UHC) through advancing people-centred primary health care. This comes at crucial moment as external aid faces a potential 40% reduction in 2025, alongside increasing out-of-pocket spending on health and disruptions in health services in many countries. This shock has resulted in a global health financing emergency that is hitting already-stretched health systems in low- and middle-income economies. The new Resolution outlines actions for Member States to bolster health financing by bringing more money for health in domestic budgets and improving public financial management systems to generate the greatest positive impact on population health. The rapidly changing landscape also calls for a renewed role for WHO; one that will help shift both domestic and global health financing architectures towards country self-reliance and sustainable progress for UHC. WHO will operationalize the priorities laid out in the Resolution by further strengthening its technical core functions on data analytics, policy and norms, and monitoring and accountability. WHO will also continue to work with countries to strengthen public financing as a cornerstone of resilient health systems that deliver quality, affordable and equitable health for all. Related document: EB156(16) Related links: Global spending on health: coping with the pandemic WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the Strategic Roundtable: Data and Sustainable Financing: Twin Foundations to Accelerate UHC – 21 May 2025 WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the WHA78 side event - Towards universal health coverage: the centrality of public financing of health at times of crisis – the perils of financialisation – 22 May 2025 Countries back resolution to boost science-driven health policy and implementation In a major step to strengthen evidence-based health systems, Member States approved a resolution to enhance national capacities for developing and adapting public health guidance grounded in high-quality scientific evidence. The decision responds to persistent gaps in countries’ ability to generate, use, and scale context-specific data and guidance — key barriers to improving equitable health outcomes. The Resolution urges governments to invest in systems that support national guideline development, including regulatory frameworks, digital tools, and local research. It also calls on WHO to maintain the highest standards in its normative products and to support Member States in adapting and implementing these tools at country level. A global framework and action plan are to be developed to foster cross-border collaboration and build regional science capacity. This Resolution marks a renewed global commitment to ensuring that WHO’s guidance leads to real-world impact — in clinics, communities, and health systems worldwide. Related documents: EB156/2025/REC/1 EB156(14): Strengthening National Capacities in Evidence-Based Decision-Making for the Uptake and Impact of Norms and Standards Stepping up efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease The world stands at a turning point in the fight against Guinea worm disease. Fourteen years after the last resolution, Member States have adopted a new one — reaffirming global commitment and signaling renewed momentum for eradication. With only 15 human cases reported in 2024 and transmission confined to five endemic countries, this is a pivotal moment to press forward. This milestone builds on the momentum of the Abu Dhabi Declaration on the Eradication of Guinea Worm Disease (2022) and the N’Djamena Declaration on interrupting the transmission of dracunculiasis (2024). The new Resolution endorses WHO’s revised 2023 eradication strategy, which addresses the increasing threat of dracunculus medinensis infections in animals — particularly in domestic dogs — that risk undermining progress towards global transmission interruption. WHO now recommends an integrated approach, combining human, animal and environmental health efforts, along with strong laboratory support for case confirmation, and timely data collection, analysis, and reporting. The Resolution underscores the urgent need for sustained political will, financial commitment cross-border collaboration, capacity building and investment in safe water access — key to achieving the 2030 eradication target set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases. Related document: EB 56(23) Related link: Fact sheet: Guinea worm disease Member States recognize skin diseases as a global public health priority A resolution on “Skin diseases as a global public health priority” was adopted today at the World Health Assembly. The Resolution expresses the unanimous commitment by Member States to address the burden of all conditions primarily affecting the skin as well as those that are systemic but associated with skin manifestations. The Resolution is driven by critical gaps that demand urgent action. Skin diseases are among the most visible health conditions, often leading to stigma, discrimination, and emotional distress. Yet when recognized and interpreted accurately, skin signs can enable early detection of a wide range of diseases. Despite their significant burden, awareness of skin conditions remains low — both among health workers and the general public. Weak surveillance systems further mask their true public health impact. Notably, a small number of common skin conditions account for the vast majority of cases in any community. With proper training, medicines, and support, local health teams can manage these conditions effectively — strengthening primary care and accelerating progress toward universal health coverage. To facilitate this task, WHO has developed and promoted integrated approaches that improve both service delivery and efficiency, such as the strategic framework for skin-related neglected tropical diseases. The Resolution calls for a country-level coordinated action across all skin diseases — strengthened financing and human resources, surveillance, capacity-building, laboratory diagnostic capacities, access to essential medicines, integration with other programmes, innovative service delivery models, and research. The Resolution also calls for WHO’s leadership in facilitating transformative change and scaling up activities against skin diseases at global, regional, and country levels. Related link: EB156(24) Reassignment of Indonesia from the South-East Asia Region to the Western Pacific Region Member States considered (during the fifth meeting of Committee B on Friday afternoon) the request from the Government of Indonesia for the reassignment of Indonesia from the South-East Asia Region to the Western Pacific Region. Committee B noted the report and approved the Resolution proposed, resolving that Indonesia shall form part of the WHO Western Pacific Region. Related document: A78/31
- Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 23 May 2025New guideline calls for improved global access to controlled medicines The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a rapid communication outlining its new guideline on balanced national policies for controlled medicines. The guideline was officially presented during a high-level side event at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. It is designed to support countries in ensuring safe, equitable and affordable access to essential controlled medicines which are critical for treating acute and chronic pain, mental health conditions, substance use disorders and other serious health issues. Controlled medicines, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines and dissociative anaesthetics like ketamine, are drugs that have authorized use for medical or scientific purposes. They should be used under careful regulation as they have properties that can increase health risks if used for non-medical purposes and they can be associated with drug use disorders and drug dependence, unless rational use is ensured. But they also have essential life-improving properties, reducing suffering and improving health and well-being when used appropriately for treating specific medical conditions. However, the majority of the world’s population lives in countries with limited or no access to affordable, quality-assured controlled medicines, even when they are proven to be safe and effective for treatment. And there is a major access and equity gap; for example, in 2021, over 80% of the world’s morphine was distributed to high-income countries, which leaves out 5.5 million terminal cancer patients and millions of others suffering from acute illness and end-of-life suffering in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Studies show that 75% of people living with epilepsy in LMICs do not receive treatment. The updated WHO guideline offers a clear roadmap for Member States to develop and implement balanced national policies that support the medical and scientific use of controlled medicines while protecting individuals and communities from the risks associated with non-medical use. Key highlights include: ensuring accurate and timely quantification of controlled medicines based on current consumption and projected needs; banning misleading and unethical marketing practices; strengthening procurement and supply chain systems using appropriate tools and technologies to enhance traceability, reduce stockouts and waste, and ensure equitable distribution; enabling local production where feasible; facilitating continuous access to opioid agonist treatment in all clinically needed settings; and promoting robust training for health-care professionals and public education campaigns for safe, informed use. The rapid communication announced today will be followed by the full document of the “WHO guideline on balanced national controlled medicines policies to ensure medical access and safety” to be released online in June 2025. Related document: WHO guideline on balanced national controlled medicines policies to ensure medical access and safety: rapid communication Related links: WHO’s work on controlled medicines Access to Medicines and Health Products - Controlled substances Landmark resolution on lung health approved Member States approved a landmark resolution on lung health, recognizing the urgent need to tackle respiratory diseases and their major risk factors, including air pollution and tobacco use. The Resolution aims to strengthen national and global actions to prevent, diagnose, and manage common lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pneumonia and tuberculosis. The Resolution calls for improved access to affordable care, greater investment in clean air policies, and integrated strategies linking lung health with broader efforts on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and climate resilience. This milestone reaffirms global commitment to protecting respiratory health and preventing millions of avoidable premature deaths each year. Related link: EB156(19) Assembly approves first-ever resolution on kidney health The first-ever WHA resolution on kidney health, led by Guatemala and co-sponsored by multiple Member States, was approved today – recognizing kidney disease as a growing global public health issue. It urges countries to integrate kidney care into national health strategies, expand prevention, early detection and treatment efforts, and strengthen primary health-care services. This Resolution represents a major step forward in reducing the global burden of kidney disease as part of the efforts to address NCDs and advancing universal health coverage (UHC). Related link: EB156(20) Resolution calls for scaling up eye, hearing care and prevention Today’s Resolution on primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments, including vision impairment and hearing loss, calls for improved services needed for at least 2.2 billion individuals affected by vision impairment, and 1.5 billion individuals by hearing loss. The burden of unaddressed vision impairment and hearing loss remains disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries, Small Island Developing States, and settings affected by different emergencies. Recent technological advancements help improve the screening and detection of vision impairment and hearing loss, and the availability of cost-effective and good-quality interventions. These include cataract surgery and assistive technologies such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, implants, and rehabilitative services as well as sign language interpreters, and Braille literacy, which can reduce the barriers people with sensory impairments experience to actively participate in society. The new resolution invites countries to adopt or adapt and implement the recommendations outlined in the World report on vision and World report on hearing. Doing so can help incorporate comprehensive eye, vision, ear and hearing care across the life course as a core element within national health plans and primary health-care initiatives towards universal health coverage. Related document: EB156(21) World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day announced as official health campaign Today, the Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to cervical cancer elimination and established World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, to be marked on November 17, annually. Cervical cancer – the fourth most common cancer in women – could become the first cancer to be eliminated if sufficient global action and support is mobilized. The disease claims the lives of 350 000 women each year, and an additional 600 000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. In support of the Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, launched by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in 2020, World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day will promote actions to end the disease and protect the health of women and girls. Critical measures include vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the major cause of cervical cancer, alongside efforts to step up screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions and management of cancer cases. In addition to strengthening global advocacy and accountability, the commemoration of the World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day will further support service delivery and encourage resource mobilization to expand health-care services for cervical cancer elimination as a benchmark for health equity and access. Related document: EB156(22) Related link: Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem Countries agree to extend timeline for global action plan on dementia Countries have endorsed a decision to extend the Global action plan on the public health response to dementia from 2025 to 2031, following a recommendation from WHO’s Executive Board. The revised timeline brings it in line with the Global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological Disorders 2022–2031, supporting a more coherent approach to the global response to neurological conditions. The extension comes amid rising concern over the global burden of dementia. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and a major driver of disability among older people. In 2021, 57 million people were living with dementia, over 60% in low- and middle-income countries. Every year, there are 10 million new cases that occur. Alzheimer disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for the majority of cases. The extension gives countries space to accelerate national responses, invest in care and support systems, and integrate dementia into broader public health and ageing agendas. Related documents: A78/4 EB156/36 Related links: WHO’s work on dementia Global action plan on the public health response to dementia Global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders Countries commit to improve nutrition for mothers and young children In a Resolution endorsed today at the World Health Assembly, countries recommitted to tackling malnutrition in mothers, infants and young children, and agreed to new indicators to advance progress in critical areas like diversifying diets and breastfeeding. This Resolution also extended the deadline for meeting the targets of the current global comprehensive plan until 2030. Since the plan was first adopted in 2012, there has been notable progress, including a decline in childhood stunting (being too short for one’s age) and to a lesser extent in wasting (being too thin for one’s height), while exclusive breastfeeding rates increased. However, little progress has been made against targets for reducing the prevalence of low birth weight and anaemia among women, making these critical areas for action. More ambitious goals were set for improving breastfeeding and reducing the proportion of children who are overweight – noting that the initial targets were nearly achieved in these areas. The 2030 targets are: A 40% reduction in the number of children under five years of age who are stunted, compared to the 2012 baseline. A 50% reduction in anaemia in women of reproductive age, compared to the 2012 baseline. A 30% reduction in low birth weight, compared to the 2012 baseline. Reduce and maintain overweight in children under five years of age to less than 5%. Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months up to at least 60%. Reduce and maintain wasting in children under five years of age to less than 5%. Malnutrition has long-term effects on the development, health, and economic growth of individuals, communities and nations. Almost half of child deaths are linked to undernutrition. This new Resolution seeks to unify countries in their efforts to tackle these persistent issues. Related document: EB156(37) Related link: Global nutrition targets 2025: policy brief series Global digital health strategy extended to support health system transformation In a decisive move to advance digitized health systems, Member States agreed to extend the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025 through to 2027. They also approved a decision for the development of a new Global Strategy on Digital Health for 2028–2033, ensuring alignment with efforts such as the UN Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals. These steps reflect the growing momentum and critical importance of digital health in achieving equitable, resilient, and people-centred health systems. Originally endorsed at the Seventy-third World Health Assembly (WHA73) in 2020, the Strategy has catalysed significant progress in equitable digital health implementation across all WHO regions. These include: 129 countries have established national digital health strategies. Over 1600 government officials from more than 100 countries have received training in digital health and artificial intelligence. Transformative initiatives such as the Global Digital Health Certification Network have been launched, benefiting 1.8 billion people across 80 countries. Critical guidance on artificial intelligence in health has been issued, including the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health, with global workshops supporting Member States in ethical AI implementation. 130 Member States have conducted digital health maturity assessments using the Global Digital Health Monitor. Government-to-government collaboration on digital health has been established in four WHO regions, with 40 Member States joining the Global Digital Health Partnership. Global collaboration has been strengthened through the Global Initiative on Digital Health, the WHO Innovation Hub and regional frameworks led by WHO, ITU, the African Union, PAHO and other key partners. This extended Strategy is about accelerating action and launching a new critical phase in global efforts where digital health can be purposefully scaled and equitably integrated into every health system. Related document: EB156(35) Related link: Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025 Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery extended to 2030 Delegates welcomed WHO’s recommendation to extend the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery to 2030, underlining the essential role of nurses and midwives in delivering health services and strengthening systems. The recently launched State of the world’s nursing report 2025 reveals that nurses account for approximately 39% of the global health workforce shortage, emphasizing the urgent need to address nursing deficits to achieve universal health coverage. The Assembly’s decision marks a critical step forward in advancing health workforce priorities and ensuring health systems are equipped to meet current and future demands. Related document: EB 156(34) Related link: The WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (2021–2025) Member States commit to urgently address social connection A historic resolution adopted by the World Health Assembly today recognized the crucial role that social connection plays in health and well-being for people of all ages. The Assembly agreed that social connection, which is characterized as the ways people relate to and interact with others, needs to be addressed as a public health priority, based on growing evidence linking it to improved health outcomes and reduced risk of early death. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of rapid technological shifts and long-term social trends. Social connection, an important determinant of health, is linked to other social, economic and environmental determinants, and its cumulative effects help shape people’s health across the life course. A lack of social connection is often associated with cardiovascular disease and mental health conditions, including depression, dementia and other types of cognitive decline. These impacts are felt not only by individuals but also by communities and societies. Quality social connection, on the other hand, can prevent and reduce social isolation and loneliness, enhancing physical and mental health, extending lifespans, and supporting healthy behaviours. The Resolution – the first in the history of the WHA – urges Member States to develop and implement evidence-based policies, programmes and strategies to raise awareness and promote positive social connection for mental and physical health. WHO also announced a new campaign “Knot Alone” to promote social connection for better health. The resolution also requests the Director-General to: integrate social connection into WHO’s public health agenda; provide technical assistance and capacity building support to Member States; and report on the outcomes of the WHO Commission on Social Connection and the implementation of the Resolution at the World Health Assembly in 2027, with further progress reports due in 2029 and 2031. Related document: EB156/8 Related link: WHO Commission on Social Connection Sustain polio eradication through stronger health systems Member States reaffirmed support for a polio-free world, commending progress in stopping a wild poliovirus outbreak in several countries in Africa and addressing remaining challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They welcomed advances in ending variant outbreaks, including success in Madagascar, while noting persistent risks in regions such as Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Yemen. Emphasis was placed on vaccine trust, gender equity, and humanitarian access, exemplified by successful campaigns in Gaza. Members stressed the urgency of sustaining eradication through strong health systems, containment, and strategic transition of polio assets. They backed the extended strategy to 2029, calling for innovative, diversified funding and continued political and financial commitment. Related documents: A78/4 EB156/22 Related link: A critical moment for global public health: Polio eradication at the 2025 World Health Assembly 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, one being in the Russian Federation and the other in the United States of America. Delegates noted the report, recalling the importance of achieving smallpox eradication, and their commitment to the responsible destruction of variola virus, while recognizing the importance of ongoing essential research with transparency and international oversight. The report also laid out progress made in responding to mpox outbreaks in Africa and around the world (mpox is currently a public health emergency of international concern), and for which the outcomes of variola virus research have been crucial. Delegates stressed the need to ensure equitable access to diagnostics and treatments for all Member States, as access to these measures remain challenging in low and middle-income countries. Related documents: A78/34 Rev.1 Resolution WHA60.1 (2007) Related link: Smallpox: World Health Assembly resolutions and reports to WHA Enhancement of laboratory biosafety Delegates noted a report on efforts towards enhancement of laboratory biosafety. Laboratories require stringent measures to safely contain high-consequence and other impact microbiological agents and toxins. Delegates highlighted the importance of laboratory safety to safeguarding public health and welcomed the publication of the 4th edition of the WHO's Laboratory Biosafety Manual and the release of a risk assessment mobile tool among others. While considerable achievements were made across the world, delegates recognized that challenges remain in regulatory oversight, funding gaps and engineering support. Related documents: A78/34 Rev. 1 Resolution WHA77.7 (2024) Resolution WHA58.29 (2005)
- Health system at breaking point as hostilities further intensify in Gaza, WHO warnsIsrael’s intensified military operations continue to threaten an already weakened health system, amidst worsening mass population displacement and acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, fuel and shelter. Four major hospitals in Gaza (Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital) have had to suspend medical services in the past week due to their proximity to hostilities or evacuation zones, and attacks. WHO has recorded 28 attacks on health care in Gaza during this period and 697 attacks since October 2023. Only 19 of Gaza Strip’s 36 hospitals remain operational, including one hospital providing basic care for the remaining patients still inside the hospital, and are struggling under severe supply shortages, lack of health workers, persistent insecurity, and a surge of casualties, all while staff work in impossible conditions. Of the 19 hospitals, 12 provide a variety of health services, while the rest are only able to provide basic emergency care. At least 94% of all hospitals in the Gaza Strip are damaged or destroyed. The increased hostilities and new evacuation orders issued across northern and southern Gaza in the past two days threaten to push even more health facilities out of service. This includes 1 hospital, 11 primary care centres, and 13 medical points within the evacuation zones, and an additional 5 hospitals, 1 field hospital, 9 primary care centres, and 23 medical points within 1000 metres of those zones. North Gaza has been stripped of nearly all health care. Al-Awda Hospital is only minimally functional, serving as a trauma stabilization point. It faces an imminent risk of closure due to ongoing insecurity and restricted access. The hospital’s third floor was reportedly attacked on Wednesday, injuring a staff member. Hostilities in the area also damaged the water tank and pipeline. Today, the hospital was attacked again. The third and fourth floors were reportedly hit, injuring two health workers. Patient triage tents, including one provided by WHO, caught fire, which also burned all medical supplies in the warehouse and destroyed vehicles in the basement. A WHO mission attempting to reach the hospital today was impeded. The Indonesian Hospital is out of service due to continued military presence since 18 May, making it inaccessible. Yesterday, a WHO mission to the hospital was forced to abort due to the security situation after waiting nearly four hours for clearance to proceed. WHO team had planned to deliver food and water to patients, assess their conditions, and identify critical equipment for transfer. WHO tried to reach the hospital again today, but the mission was impeded. Kamal Adwan Hospital, which had the only centre to treat patients with severe acute malnutrition in North Gaza, went out of service on 20 May after intense hostilities in its vicinity, forcing patients to evacuate or be discharged prematurely. In southern Gaza, Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal, and Al-Aqsa hospitals are overwhelmed by a surge of injured people, worsened by a new wave of displacement to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. The European Gaza Hospital remains out of service following an attack on 13 May, cutting off vital services including neurosurgery, cardiac care, and cancer treatment – all unavailable elsewhere in Gaza. Currently, across the Gaza Strip, only 2000 hospital beds remain available, for a population of over 2 million people, grossly insufficient to meet the current needs. Of these, at least 40 beds are at risk of being lost as they are in hospitals within newly declared evacuation zones, while an additional 850 could be lost if conditions deteriorate at facilities near these zones. Continued hostilities and military presence inhibit patients from accessing care, obstruct staff from providing care, and prevent WHO and partners from resupplying hospitals. With each hospital forced out of service, patients lose access to health care, and WHO and partners’ efforts, to sustain Gaza’s health system are undone. The destruction is systematic. Hospitals are rehabilitated and resupplied, only to be exposed to hostilities or attacked again. This destructive cycle must end. Amid constant fear and insecurity, health workers, including those from national and international emergency medical teams, continue delivering urgent care in Gaza. WHO salutes their courage and commitment. WHO calls for the active protection of health care. Hospitals must never be militarized or targeted. WHO calls for aid at scale to be allowed into Gaza through all possible routes, and for unimpeded humanitarian access to reach people wherever they are. Echoing the United Nations’ Relief Chief, WHO reiterates that the UN and its partners have a clear, principled and effective plan to deliver aid with safeguards against diversion, a system that has worked and must be enabled to continue. WHO calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.
- Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 22 May 2025Health progress despite financial challenges Thursday’s Committee B noted the Results Report 2024, and the financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025. Member States commended the transparency, and the level of detail provided. At the same time, Member States noted with concern that while some important achievements have been realized, progress is insufficient in reaching the SDG targets. In addition, Member States also advocated for more equitable funding across the Organization. The committee approved decision 78/17 Add.1 and 78/17 Add.2. Delegates welcomed WHO’s Investment Round (IR), which will fund the Organization’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work – 2025–2028 (GPW 14) – its global health strategy for the next four years that has the potential to save 40 million lives if fully funded. By April 2025, pledges of US$ 1.7 billion had been received. During the Health Assembly at least an additional US $210 million was committed, with further amounts expected. Since the start of the Investment Round, 62 pledges have been made by Member States, with a further 20 pledges by philanthropic organizations. Of the 62 pledgers, 35 had not previously provided voluntary contributions to WHO. The pledges not only assure more sustainable financing but show global solidarity in the face of unprecedented challenges. The committee called for increased efforts to secure predictable, resilient and flexible funding. Related Documents: A78/17 Results report 2024 and financial report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 A78/17 Add.1 Draft decision: Results report 2024 (Programme budget 2024–2025: performance assessment) and Financial report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 A78/17 Add.2 Draft decision: Partial and temporary suspension of Financial Regulation VIII, 8.2 A78/18 Audited Financial Statements for the year ended A78/36 Results report 2024 (Programme budget 2024–2025: performance assessment) and Financial report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 A78/INF./3 Voluntary contributions by fund and by contributor, 2024 A78/19 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025 A78/20 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025: Reporting on operational efficiencies A78/INF./4 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025 WHO presence in countries, territories and areas A78/21 Sustainable financing: WHO investment round A78/37 Proposed programme budget 2026–2027 – Sustainable financing: WHO investment round (Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board to the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly) Strengthening health emergency preparedness and response On 21–22 May 2025, the World Health Assembly discussed WHO’s work in health emergencies. Over the last year, WHO responded to 51 graded emergencies across 89 countries and territories, including global outbreaks of cholera and mpox – a public health emergency of international concern – as well as multiple humanitarian crises. Working with over 900 partners across 28 health clusters, WHO helped provide health assistance for 72 million people in humanitarian settings. Nearly 60% of new emergencies were climate-related, highlighting the growing health impacts of climate change. Member States noted the WHO Director-General’s report on the implementation of the health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience (HEPR) framework. The report outlined progress made in the key areas of collaborative disease surveillance, community protection, safe and scalable care, access to medical countermeasures and emergency coordination, and stressed that insufficient and unpredictable funding poses a significant risk to health systems worldwide. Delegates noted the report of the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee (IOAC) for WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme. The report presents several recommendations to the Director-General aimed at strengthening WHO’s work in emergencies. The chair of the IOAC commended WHO’s leadership – particularly that of Dr Mike Ryan, the outgoing Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme, for his pivotal role and contributions to global health. The Director-General also reported on Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) to the Assembly, a unique process for Member States to assess their health emergency preparedness. UHPR was launched in November 2020 as a voluntary, country-led mechanism, in response to early lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Related documents: A78/13 WHO’s work in health emergencies A78/12 Health emergencies preparedness and response: The Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme A78/9 Strengthening the global architecture for health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience A78/4 Consolidated report by the Director-General (including UHPR) International Health Regulations remain a cornerstone of global health security Member States noted the Director-General’s report on progress made in implementing the International Health Regulations (2005), which outline the rights and obligations of countries in managing public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders. In 2024, WHO assessed over 1.2 million raw signals related to public health risks, identifying and verifying 429 events with potential or actual international public health implications. All countries but one provided their self-assessment report to the Assembly. Numerous joint external evaluations, after- and intra-action reviews, and training were conducted to strengthen preparedness and response capacities. Member States recommended to the Assembly the adoption of a decision for the Director-General to notify Palestine of the International Health Regulations (2005). This is a step prior to Palestine expressing interest in becoming a States Party to the Regulations. This follows the resolution approved during the World Health Assembly last year on aligning the participation of Palestine in WHO with its participation in the United Nations. The Assembly also noted the Standing Recommendations issued by the Director-General on COVID-19 (valid until April 2026) and mpox (valid until August 2025). At last year’s World Health Assembly, Member States adopted historic amendments to the Regulations, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. The amendments are expected to come into force in September 2025. Related documents: A78/11 Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) A78/A/CONF./4 Notifying the International Health Regulations (2005) to Palestine Resolution WHA77.15 (2024): Aligning the participation of Palestine in the World Health Organization with its participation in the United Nations A78/INF./6 Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) Extension of the standing recommendations for mpox A78/INF./7 Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) Extension of the standing recommendations for COVID-19 Member States urge research into public health and social measures to control outbreaks and pandemics Member States approved a decision related to public health and social measures, urging the strengthening of the research base on these interventions. Public health and social measures are nonpharmaceutical interventions used to reduce the spread of an infectious disease and lower hospitalizations and death. Examples include screening for diseases, personal hygiene measures and changing the way people gather or travel. These measures played an important role in buying time for countries to develop and distribute treatments, diagnostics and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the evidence base on the effectiveness of these measures remains limited. Related documents: EB156/2025/REC/1, decision EB156(31) Strengthening the evidence-base for public health and social measures WHO’s response to health needs in Ukraine and refugee-hosting countries Delegates noted the Director-General’s report on the implementation of a resolution on WHO’s response to the health emergency triggered by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine. In 2024, WHO reached an estimated 4.7 million people with health support in Ukraine and more than 400 000 refugees in neighbouring countries. WHO delivered over US$ 32.5 million worth of medicines, medical equipment and supplies to health facilities across Ukraine, and over US$ 4.9 million worth of supplies and equipment to refugee-hosting countries. Since 24 February 2022, a total of 2254 attacks on health care have been verified, resulting in 710 injuries and 208 deaths. Member States voted on related decisions. The draft decision proposed by Ukraine and other countries to continue, among other things, to restore and strengthen Ukraine’s health-care system was approved. Suggested amendments to the draft decision proposed by the Russian Federation and other countries were rejected. Related documents: A78/14 Implementation of resolution WHA75.11 (2022) A78/A/CONF./3 Health emergency in Ukraine and refugee-receiving and -hosting countries, stemming from the Russian Federation’s aggression A78/A/CONF./3 Add.1 Amendments proposed by Belarus, China, Nicaragua and the Russian Federation A78/A/CONF./3 Add.2 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Health Assembly Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem Delegates noted the Director-General's report on the current health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, with the Gaza Strip facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with widespread displacement, destruction and death. The health system has been severely degraded by attacks, critical shortages of medicines, supplies and fuel, and restricted access. The report stated that between 1 January 2024 and 28 February 2025, 376 attacks on health care were reported in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 286 deaths and 591 injuries. The health crisis in the West Bank has worsened since January 2025, with escalating violence and stricter restrictions on movement impeding access to health care. WHO’s response has focused on providing essential health services, public health surveillance, disease prevention and control, provision of supplies and logistics, and partner coordination. The report stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, unrestricted humanitarian access and protection of health. Member States noted the report and commended WHO's efforts towards the continuity of health services under difficult conditions. Delegates approved an accompanying resolution. Related documents: A78/15 Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem EB156/2025/REC/1, resolution EB156.R3 Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem
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