Health ministers and diplomats are in Geneva for the 79th World Health Assembly, a week of negotiations on key issues such as pandemic preparedness, health financing and how to manage public health across borders to save the greatest number of lives.
The Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, took advantage of the opening session to argue that Recent crises had reinforced the need for stronger international cooperation rather than fragmentation..
“From conflicts to economic crises, climate change and aid cuts, We live in difficult, dangerous and divisive times.“Tedros told delegates.
Critical cooperation
The Assembly met just a day after the head of the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern over an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighboring Uganda.
At the same time, the agency continues to coordinate the international response to the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which arrived in the Netherlands on Monday following a complex evacuation and repatriation operation jointly led by Spain and the WHO in Tenerife, Canary Islands.
The remaining crew members who sailed the ship to the Netherlands now begin a 42-day quarantine period while the ship undergoes a thorough cleaning and disinfection.
Tedros said Both emergencies underscored the continued importance of rapid international coordination to respond to cross-border health threats..
Pressure increase
The session in Geneva comes at a turbulent time for international health systems, as humanitarian crises, climate-related shocks and growing economic pressures put increasing pressure on public health responses.
The WHO itself has faced increasing financial uncertainty following sharp reductions in donor funding over the past year, forcing the organization to restructure programs and reduce staff.
According to WHO budget documents, Outstanding assessed contributions for current and previous financial years amounted to almost $360 million at the end of 2025..
Key reforms
Tedros acknowledged the impact of the cuts but insisted the WHO had proven more resilient after nearly a decade of reforms.
“We have already completed the restructuring process,” he said. “We have reached a position of stability and are moving forward with determination and confidence.“
He argued that the reforms begun nine years ago had already transformed the scientific, financial and emergency health of the organization.
Notable initiatives include the creation of the WHO Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Center in Berlin, the mRNA Technology Transfer Center in South Africa, and the Pandemic Fund established jointly with the World Bank, which has provided $1.4 billion in grants to 128 countries.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus addresses the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
pandemic agreement
Tedros also noted the negotiations that led to the Pandemic Agreement adopted by Member States last year, along with amendments to the International Health Regulations aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics.
He The last unresolved element remains talks on the pathogen access and benefit sharing systemthat the countries hoped to finalize before this week.
“This has not happened yet, but I am sure it will happen,” Tedros said.
He also linked the current debate over global health financing to broader calls by developing countries for greater “health sovereignty” and less dependence on foreign aid.
“Last year, many countries suffered severe disruptions due to sudden and sharp cuts in development assistance,Tedros said.
“But they had an unintended benefit: They led many leaders to say that now is the time to leave behind the era of donor dependence and usher in a new era of health sovereignty.“
Broad agenda
Over the next week, delegates are expected to debate a broad agenda spanning malaria elimination, antimicrobial resistance, mental health, immunization, universal health coverage, digital health and artificial intelligence (AI), emergency preparedness, and health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The Assembly will also consider proposals to reform the broader global health architecture and strengthen coordination among international institutions. Delegates are also expected to discuss the implications of the United States’ notification that it intends to withdraw from the WHO.
Before the inauguration, the WHO presented its Annual Awards for World Health Leadershonoring public health figures from Norway, Egypt, Ireland and the Bahamas for contributions ranging from infectious disease control to humanitarian medicine and emergency response.
Among those awarded was Michael Ryan of Ireland, former executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, who helped lead the organization’s response to COVID-19, Ebola outbreaks and multiple humanitarian crises.
