Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 22 May 2026

Key Takeaways

• Member States establish joint process to support reforms of global health architecture The World Health Assembly today decided to establish a joint process led by Member States, hosted by WHO and with global health partners to support reforms of the global health architecture.
• The Assembly agreed that the process should develop options and recommendations for reforms of the global health architecture to meet the specific and collective needs of countries and communities, to maximize access, impact and equity.
• The process should draw on existing reform initiatives and relevant elements of the UN80 Initiative.
• Member States expressed strong support for WHO’s central convening and normative role, emphasizing that while the process will be Member State-led, it should be taken forward jointly with global health initiatives and UN partners, with meaningful engagement of key stakeholders, including civil society and youth.
• The proposal adopted by the Assembly recognized the health improvements generated from the existing global health architecture in recent decades, including in disease control, global norms and standards, and more effective collective action to address cross-border health threats.