WHO assembly closes with call for cooperation amid health crises

The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) concluded in Geneva with a strong emphasis on global health cooperation, particularly in light of ongoing outbreaks of hantavirus and Ebola. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the assembly, asserting that the organization has undergone significant transformation and is now operating with confidence and a clear purpose.

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During the last few years we have transformed the organization to be the one the world needs and deserves, and in the past year we have restructured it to be capable, stable and sustainable. This is not a WHO in crisis, but one that is moving forward with confidence and purpose.

During the final session, several resolutions were adopted without a vote, including one acknowledging Argentina's departure from the organization while maintaining avenues for cooperation, a model previously applied during the recent hantavirus crisis. Tedros thanked Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for his presence, echoing his sentiment that viruses transcend borders, underscoring the necessity of multilateral health cooperation.

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viruses do not understand borders, flags or passports.

The assembly, presided over by the Dominican Republic's Minister of Public Health, Víctor Atallah, was described by Tedros as demanding, with lengthy sessions and difficult negotiations. Despite these challenges, progress was made on critical health issues such as neglected tropical diseases, emergency care, and the treatment of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Tedros stressed that achieving these goals requires political commitment, sustained funding, and ongoing collaboration among member states, partners, and communities.

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it has been demonstrated that progress is possible.

However, a significant point remains pending: the finalization of the pandemic agreement reached in 2025. Negotiations are ongoing regarding an annex that details pathogen sample sharing and equitable benefit distribution in the event of a future pandemic. Tedros warned that without this annex, the world remains unprepared for the next global health crisis. The assembly also saw the coordination of passenger repatriation from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak, by Spanish authorities.

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the world is not really prepared for the next pandemic.