Health security and health situation in conflict areas on agenda at World Health Assembly

Health security and health situation in conflict areas on agenda at World Health Assembly

The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold its 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 18-23 May 2026. Finland's delegation will be led by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman.

The decisions of the upcoming Health Assembly will have a significant impact on WHO's future and position as a leading global health actor.

Topics on the agenda for the Health Assembly include progress in the negotiations related to the WHO Pandemic Agreement as part of health security and WHO's measures to strengthen preparedness and respond to health emergencies. Cooperation and the exchange of information concerning communicable diseases are highly topical due to the recent hantavirus outbreak.

In connection with the Health Assembly, discussions will also be held on Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Health Assembly will also address issues relating to maternal and child health, nutrition and the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Other important issues for Finland include the economy of wellbeing and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal for health.

The agenda also includes topics relating to health promotion, such as non-communicable diseases, mental health, antimicrobial resistance and universal health coverage.

The World Health Assembly will also address the impact of the UN reform process on the health sector and discuss the implementation and financing of the WHO programme budget 2026-2027 as well as the reform of budget governance.

Finland will hold an official side event together with Belgium, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Qatar, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and the NCD Alliance. The theme of the side event is the economy of wellbeing, longevity and future generations.

Inquiries:

Tita Korvenoja, Director of International Affairs, tel. +358 29 516 3570, [email protected]
Outi Kuivasniemi, Senior Ministerial Adviser, International Affairs, tel. +358 29 516 3117, [email protected]