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

At the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in Geneva this week, member states adopted more than 20 decisions and 13 resolutions on health issues including stroke, liver disease, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, imaging, emergency care, hemophilia, precision medicine and radiation.

The Assembly also covered a range of political and administrative issues, including agreement on reforming the global health architecture through a joint process led by Member States and hosted by the WHO.

At the closing of the Assembly, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented the ceremonial gavel to the President of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, Dr. Victor Atallah Lajam, Minister of Health Committee B of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Kwabena Mintahu Akandoh, Minister of Health, Ghana.

“Every resolution you pass, every agreement you reach, only has value when it changes what happens in the clinic, the community or the household,” Dr. Tedros said 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 epidemic is contained before it spreads. This is the task before us now… This will require political commitment, sustainable funding and continued cooperation between member states, partners and communities.”

Countries have agreed on critical amendments to the WHO Code on the Ethical International Employment of Health Workers

The member states approved the amendment resolution today WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (Code) and strengthen its implementation, following consultations led by Member States ahead of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. The resolution marks an important step towards the vision that everyone, everywhere can access competent and motivated health and care workers – the foundation for universal health coverage and global health security.

Key changes to the Code include the incorporation of provisions covering internationally deployed health personnel for employment as caregivers and clarification of the applicability of the Code’s recommendations during emergencies. The Code also encourages joint investment in health systems and the health workforce to ensure that international recruitment creates proportionate benefits for both source and destination countries.

These supplements were recommended by an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) appointed by the Director-General of WHO. In its final report, the EAG also noted progress in the availability of data on the health workforce, the provision of rights for migrant health workers and the integration of ethical employment principles into national policies. The report also highlighted areas requiring improvement in the implementation of the Code, including greater support for strengthening health systems in source countries.

Since its adoption at the Sixty-third World Health Assembly in 2010, the Code has undergone three rounds of revisions to assess its relevance and effectiveness. This first update in 16 years – triggered by the third review – marks a milestone and an opportunity to renew the global commitment to advancing health equity and to further foster local collaboration on the ethical management of international mobility of health personnel.

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Countries are adopting a significant strategy of putting health at the center of economic policy

The World Health Assembly approved the adoption decision Strategy on Health Economics for All (2026-2030)marking a significant step towards aligning economic systems with health, equity and sustainable development. Delegates emphasized that health and economic prosperity are deeply interconnected and must be advanced through coordinated government approaches.

The strategy sets out a vision of a world where the economy serves and benefits from achieving health for all, putting people, well-being and equity at the center of policy and funding decisions. It outlines actions to ensure the systematic integration of health into economic, fiscal and industrial policies, while at the same time strengthening the case for investing in health and enabling sustainable financing of universal health care.

Member States highlighted the urgency of these measures in the context of the global health financing crisis, emphasizing the need to shift to welfare-oriented economies and invest in resilient health systems and basic public goods. The strategy also aims to equip countries with stronger technical capacity and an improved evidence base, enabling more effective engagement with financial and economic actors and supporting informed decision-making.

Broad support was expressed for the strategy’s comprehensive, forward-looking approach, while recognizing the importance of continued cooperation and implementation at the country level. Emphasis is placed on translating strategy into practical actions, supported by guidance and monitoring.

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The World Health Assembly approved the first resolution on radiation and health

The Assembly approved a resolution on radiation and health: strengthening global protection, preparedness and response, marking the first time that WHO member states have agreed on a comprehensive approach covering both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

The resolution recognizes widespread radiation exposure globally – from the environment, at work, from medical sources, as well as in emergency situations – and the associated health risks, including both acute and long-term effects such as cancer. It also emphasizes the increased vulnerability of children and pregnant women, as well as the broader health and psychosocial effects of emergency situations caused by radiation.

With this resolution, member states commit to strengthening national radiation protection systems, including improved exposure monitoring, workforce training, and integration of radiation risk management into broader public health programs. It also emphasizes the safe and judicious use of radiation in medical imaging, radiotherapy and radiopharmaceuticals.

Recognizing that natural sources such as ultraviolet radiation and radon contribute significantly to the global burden of cancer, countries agreed to increase prevention, public communication and awareness efforts.

The resolution reaffirms WHO’s leading role in providing evidence-based guidelines and technical support, and calls for stronger global coordination with key international partners. It also requires WHO to conduct a global mapping of relevant actors and initiatives – including their roles and mandates in the field of 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.

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Member States have agreed on an updated action plan to reduce deaths caused by antimicrobial resistance

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

World Health Organization Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance (GLASS) shows that one in six common bacterial infections in 2023 was resistant to antibiotic treatment. Studies estimated that 4.71 million deaths were linked to bacterial AMR in 2021. Without urgent action, AMR could cause up to 39 million deaths by 2050, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries.

GAP-AMR 2026-2036 aims to preserve the ability to treat human, animal and plant infections by expanding equitable access and appropriate use of effective antimicrobials, reducing infections through a One Health approach. By 2030, the plan aims to enable the achievement of the UN General Assembly’s 2024 goal of reducing human deaths associated with bacterial AMR, while simultaneously reducing the use of antimicrobials in agri-food systems and minimizing environmental contamination with resistant microbes and antimicrobial residues.

Global momentum in the fight against 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 have 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 for AMR, including mainstreaming AMR flows. interventions in efforts to strengthen the health system.

WHO and its quadripartite partners – FAO, UNEP and WOAH – will improve technical support and coordination. The Plan provides flexible guidance that enables countries to accelerate action through a One Health approach tailored to national priorities and contexts. It will be supplemented by a separate operational and supervisory framework.

Related link

A79/5 Add.2: Draft updated global action plan on antimicrobial resistance 2026–2036