From consultation to partnership: WHO Civil Society Commission charts next phase

The World Health Organization (WHO) Civil Society Commission (CSC) held its third Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on 2 April 2026, bringing together over 120 participants to take stock of progress and set priorities for 2026-2028.

The meeting came at a difficult moment for global health, marked by shrinking financing, growing health needs, and mounting pressure to reform global health governance. Against this backdrop, the case for stronger, better-coordinated collaboration between WHO and civil society has never been clearer.

Civil society at the centre of global health action

In his keynote, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was direct: civil society is not at the margins of global health - it is on the front line, working closest to communities, often under the most difficult conditions. He framed the current moment not only as a challenge but as a defining opportunity to deepen partnerships and strengthen health system resilience.

The discussion that followed reflected broad agreement that, as challenges, from health financing gaps and system fragmentation to the rising burden of mental health and noncommunicable diseases grow more complex, ad hoc collaboration is no longer sufficient. Civil society must sustain its advocacy role while also securing a more structured place in global health decision-making, grounded in joint action with WHO and Member States.

The Director-General was clear on what that means in practice: "We want to move from consultation to genuine partnership. We want engagement that is not ad hoc, but embedded."

From engagement to action

Over the past year, the CSC has supported more structured and impactful engagement of civil society in WHO processes:

• more than 20 engagements across priority areas such as social participation, health financing, universal health coverage, health emergencies, human rights and digital health; and
• active participation in working groups, with over 120 members contributing to output and discussions. Civil society input also fed into key WHO governance and policy processes, including consultations on the General Programme of Work (GPW 14) and social participation.

These efforts reflect a broader shift toward more systematic, transparent, and impactful collaboration.

Voices from the WHO Civil Society Commission

As Co-Chair Ravi Ram noted: "The Commission has built a strong foundation for engagement and is moving into the next phase of building the platform to deliver impact."

Member voices reflected the real-world value of this work: "I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Human Rights Based Approach to Health Guidance. The CSC provided a valuable platform for meaningful engagement and inclusive dialogue," said Youssouf Noormamode, EDYCS Epilepsy Group/IBE Africa Region.

"Through the WHO Civil Society Commission, we engaged 800 CSOs on key public health emergency issues, with their perspectives included as a vital contribution to published WHO guidance," said Supriya Bezbaruah, WHO Technical Officer and EPI WIN Coordinator.

Priorities for 2026-2028

Building on this momentum, the CSC's Workplan and Results Framework for 2026-2028 sets out five objectives, delivered through five active Working Groups:

1. Strengthening governance and coordination, improving structures, membership systems, and Steering Committee processes to ensure inclusive and accountable participation;
2. Operationalizing the WHO-CSO Engagement Strategy, developing a CSC Playbook and practical guidance for structured engagement across WHO processes;
3. Advancing civil society priorities in global health - supporting policy inputs, convening dialogues, and strengthening engagement in global forums;
4. Advocating for sustainable health financing - driving engagement on domestic resource mobilization, advocacy, and accountability; and
5. Strengthening communications and member engagement. improving visibility, coordination, and access to opportunities.

All five Working Groups are now operational and delivering against these priorities.

Listening to members

The CSC's direction is shaped by those it represents. A recent survey drawing over 120 responses from across regions found that while the network is highly motivated and engaged, its potential is constrained by gaps in communication, clarity, and engagement design. Members called for clearer participation pathways, more regular communication, practical tools and guidance, and a stronger focus on country-level impact.

Co-Chair Wafa Al Madhagi set the tone for the period ahead: "The coming year will be one of implementation. We count on your continued support and collaboration to turn our shared vision into reality. Together, we are building momentum to ensure civil society voices are heard at every level of the WHO to ensure the health of all."

As the Commission moves into its next phase, the focus is clear: more structured participation, a stronger voice for those closest to communities, and civil society engagement that translates into tangible impact.