Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 23 May 2026 — Health

Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly: Member States Adopt Over 20 Decisions and 13 Resolutions

During this week's Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in Geneva, Member States approved more than 20 decisions and 13 resolutions addressing health topics such as stroke, liver disease, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, haemophilia, precision medicine, and radiation.

The Assembly also tackled various political and administrative matters, including a consensus to overhaul the global health framework via a joint process led by Member States and hosted by WHO.

At the Assembly's conclusion, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented a ceremonial gavel in recognition of Dr Víctor Atallah Lajam, Minister of Health of the Dominican Republic and President of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, as well as the Chairs of Committee A, Dr Timur Sultangaziyev, Deputy Minister of Health of Kazakhstan, and Committee B, Dr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health of Ghana.

"Every resolution you adopt, every agreement you reach, only has value when it changes what happens in a clinic, in a community, or in a household," Dr Tedros stated in his closing remarks.

"When a health worker has what they need to do their job; when a child is vaccinated; when a mother survives childbirth; when an outbreak is contained before it spreads. That is now the task before us… It will require political commitment, sustained financing, and continued cooperation between Member States, partners and communities."

Countries Approve Key Revisions to WHO Code on Ethical International Recruitment of Health Workers

Today, Member States endorsed a resolution to revise the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (the Code) and enhance its implementation, following consultations led by Member States ahead of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. This resolution represents a significant step toward the goal that everyone, everywhere can access competent and motivated health and care workers—a cornerstone of both universal health coverage and global health security.

Key updates to the Code include the addition of provisions addressing health personnel recruited internationally for care worker roles and clarification of how the Code's recommendations apply during emergencies. The Code also promotes co-investment in health systems and the health workforce to ensure that international recruitment yields balanced benefits for both source and destination countries. These additions were suggested by an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) appointed by the WHO Director-General. In its final report, the EAG also noted improvements in health workforce data availability, protection of migrant health worker rights, and the incorporation of ethical recruitment principles into national policies. The report further identified areas needing better implementation of the Code, such as increased support for strengthening health systems in source countries. Since its adoption by the Sixty-third World Health Assembly in 2010, the Code has undergone three review cycles to evaluate its relevance and effectiveness. This first update in 16 years—prompted by the third review—marks a milestone and an opportunity to reaffirm global dedication to advancing health equity and fostering international collaboration on the ethical governance of health personnel mobility.

Countries Endorse Landmark Strategy Integrating Health into Economic Policy

The World Health Assembly approved a decision to adopt the Strategy on the economics of health for all (2026–2030), a major move toward aligning economic systems with health, equity, and sustainable development. Delegates underscored that health and economic prosperity are closely linked and must be pursued through coordinated government efforts.

The strategy envisions a world where the economy both serves and gains from achieving health for all, prioritizing people, well-being, and equity in policy and financing decisions. It outlines actions to systematically embed health into economic, fiscal, and industrial policies, while strengthening the case for health investment and enabling sustainable funding for universal health coverage.

Member States stressed the urgency of these measures amid a global health financing crisis, emphasizing the need to transition toward well-being-oriented economies and invest in resilient health systems and essential public goods. The strategy also aims to bolster countries' technical capacity and evidence base, facilitating more effective engagement with financial and economic stakeholders and supporting informed decision-making.

Broad support was voiced for the strategy's comprehensive and forward-looking approach, along with recognition of the need for ongoing collaboration and implementation at the country level. Emphasis was placed on converting the strategy into practical actions, supported by guidance and monitoring.

World Health Assembly Approves First Resolution on Radiation and Health

The Assembly has approved a resolution on Radiation and health: strengthening global protection, preparedness and response, marking the first time WHO Member States have agreed on a comprehensive approach addressing both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

The resolution acknowledges widespread global exposure to radiation—from environmental, occupational, and medical sources, as well as emergency situations—and the associated health risks, including both acute and long-term effects such as cancer. It also highlights the heightened vulnerability of children and pregnant women, along with the broader health and psychosocial impacts of radiation emergencies.

Through this resolution, Member States commit to reinforcing national systems for radiation protection, including better monitoring of exposure, workforce training, and integrating radiation risk management into broader public health programs. It also emphasizes the safe and equitable use of radiation in medical imaging, radiotherapy, and radiopharmaceuticals.

Recognizing that natural sources like ultraviolet radiation and radon contribute significantly to the global cancer burden, countries agreed to scale up prevention, public communication, and awareness efforts.

The resolution reaffirms WHO’s leadership in providing evidence-based guidance and technical support and calls for stronger global coordination with key international partners. It also requests WHO to conduct a global mapping of relevant actors and initiatives—including their roles and mandates in radiation and health—to identify gaps and advance the public health agenda on radiation protection and emergency preparedness and response. Progress will be reported to the World Health Assembly in 2028.

Member States Agree on Updated Action Plan to Reduce Deaths from Antimicrobial Resistance

Countries approved the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) for 2026–2036, renewing commitments to strengthen the global response to AMR.

WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) indicates that one in six common bacterial infections in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatment. Studies estimate that 4.71 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR in 2021. Without urgent action, AMR could cause up to 39 million deaths by 2050, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries.

The GAP-AMR 2026-2036 aims to preserve the ability to treat human, animal, and plant infections by expanding equitable access to and appropriate use of effective antimicrobials, reducing infections through a One Health approach. By 2030, the plan aims to enable the attainment of the 2024 UN General Assembly target of a 10% reduction in bacterial AMR-associated deaths in humans, while also reducing antimicrobial use in agrifood systems and minimizing environmental pollution from resistant microbes and antimicrobial residues.

Global momentum to tackle AMR has accelerated since the launch of the first GAP-AMR in 2015. More than 170 countries have developed multisectoral national action plans on AMR, and 104 countries reported AMR data to the WHO surveillance system in 2025. For sustainable action, the updated plan emphasizes the need for strengthened governance, sustainable financing, and accountability on AMR, including mainstreaming AMR interventions into health system strengthening efforts.

WHO and its Quadripartite partners—FAO, UNEP, and WOAH—will enhance technical support and coordination. The plan provides adaptive guidance enabling countries to accelerate action through a One Health approach tailored to national priorities and contexts. It will be complemented by a separate operational and monitoring framework.