Discussions on protecting health reinforced that health security depends not only on responding to emergencies but also on sustained investments in preparedness, surveillance, and international cooperation. The continued implementation of the Pandemic Agreement and the development of the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system take lessons learned from COVID-19 and act as a commitment for countries to be better equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to future threats.

Resolutions concerning humanitarian crises in Lebanon, Ukraine, and the occupied Palestinian territory further demonstrated that protecting health extends beyond disease control. Conflict continues to threaten population health by disrupting essential services, damaging health infrastructure, and creating long-term physical and mental health needs.

The Assembly’s focus on preparedness captured the importance of strengthening public health infrastructure before crises occur, rather than relying solely on reactive responses. It also emphasised the challenges of achieving equity during health emergencies, especially when access to vaccines, medicines, and other resources is unevenly distributed. 

Providing Health – Health System Strengthening

Post: https://tinyurl.com/WHAprovidehealth

Key Developments:

1.      The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR), 2026-2036

2.      The Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel

3.      A resolution on reducing the burden of stroke

4.      The Global Strategy for Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative (ECO) Care, 2026-2035

5.      A resolution on Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD): a missing piece in the global noncommunicable disease response

Member States highlighted the need to strengthen health systems while responding to both chronic and acute health challenges. Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus noted important progress, including the elimination of seven diseases across seventeen countries and continued investment in workforce development through the WHO Academy. However, delegates also recognised ongoing pressures on health systems, including changing financing models, workforce challenges, and rising service demand.

Many of the Assembly’s discussions reflected key principles of the health systems strengthening including those captured in the WHO Health System Building Blocks Framework. The Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel emphasised the importance of a sustainable, well-supported health workforce, while the Global Strategy for Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative (ECO) Care captured efforts to improve service delivery across the care continuum.

More broadly, the points considered at the Assembly illustrated how essential it is to have strong health systems in place in response to the range of new and ongoing challenges. In working against infectious disease threats, managing resource constraints, addressing non-communicable diseases, or adapting to ageing populations, countries must ensure that services are accessible, resilient and responsive to population needs.

For the WHOCC, the AMR and stroke resolutions demonstrate how evidence can inform global policy. Research supported by the Centre has helped quantify the burden of these conditions and contributed to the evidence base shaping international strategies.

Promoting Health – Encouraging Prevention

Post: https://tinyurl.com/WHApromotehealth

Updates:

1. A resolution on Radiation and Health

2. The Economics of Health for All Strategy, 2026-2030

3. A strategic roundtable on addressing health mis and disinformation to rebuild trust in science

The WHA also reinforced that improving population health requires more than delivering healthcare services. The resolution on Radiation and Health, the Economics of Health for All Strategy 2026–2030, and the strategic roundtable on health misinformation and disinformation all emphasised long-term, systems-based approaches addressing wider determinants of health.

The recognition of misinformation was particularly noteworthy as it remains not simply a communication challenge but a significant public health threat. Building resilient information ecosystems, empowering reputable community voices, and supporting information integrity remain key in response. Trust has become a critical component of effective public health action, especially in an increasingly digital world. 

These themes align closely with topics explored throughout the MPH programme, particularly around health promotion, behavioural science, and public engagement. Public health interventions are effective when communities trust the institutions and individuals delivering them. Promoting health requires meaningful engagement with communities, listening to concerns, and co-producing solutions rather than relying solely on top-down communication approaches. 

Protecting, Providing, and Promoting Health

Overall, the WHA created an important opportunity to engage directly with global health governance and encourage new perspectives on real-world policy making. The final message that emerged became clear: improving health worldwide requires a multidimensional approach – one based on evidence, driven by partnerships, and maintained through collective action.