The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) kicked off Monday at Geneva’s Palais des Nations, with the participation of Morocco, represented by the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tehraoui.
Held under the theme "A World United for Health," the Assembly brings together senior officials and key stakeholders from around the globe to address critical health issues, including a landmark agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. This agreement, initiated by WHO member states, marks a major milestone in global health diplomacy.
The result of three years of intensive negotiations led by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, which includes all WHO Member States, the Pandemic Agreement is a rare and significant initiative aimed at preventing the kind of global suffering witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is the second proposal to be submitted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, which allows member states to establish binding agreements on global health.
The Assembly will also review the 2026–2027 program budget, aligned with WHO’s 14th General Program of Work and its global health strategy for 2025–2028.
Key issues on the agenda include the elimination of cervical cancer, lung and kidney health, rare diseases, diagnostic imaging capacity, skin conditions, traditional medicine, lead exposure, health financing, and antimicrobial resistance.
This year’s session comes at a pivotal moment, as countries navigate emerging health threats and major shifts in the global health and development landscape.
In total, 45 official events are scheduled, including a high-level donors’ meeting, a ministerial roundtable on data and sustainable financing, and numerous side events hosted by member states.
Ahead of the main session, Mr. Tehraoui attended several side meetings during the weekend, including a high-level ministerial session on health financing in Africa, as well as the 27th Francophone Health Meetings, which focused on healthcare human resources under the theme "No Health Without Talent."
MAP:19 mai 2025
