Information in this document is accurate as of 26 May 2025 20:30
Journal No. 8 27 May 2025
This Journal is intended to give delegates, representatives and other participants advance indications of the Health Assembly’s tentative programme of work. Additional information can be found in the Guide for delegates to the World Health Assembly (document A78/DIV./2).
The Journal does not constitute an official record of the Health Assembly’s proceedings. The Journal is published in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish on every working day during the Health Assembly.
N° 8 Programme of meetings for Tuesday, 27 May 2025
|
Time |
Plenary |
Committee A |
Committee B |
|
09:00 |
|
Thirteenth meeting |
Eighth meeting |
|
14:30 |
Seventh Plenary meeting |
|
|
Table of contents
1. Date and working hours
2. Programme of work of the Health Assembly
3. Report of meetings
4. Meetings and official side-events
5. Announcements
157th session of the Executive Board, 28–29 May 2025, WHO headquarters Auditorium
Please note the following administrative arrangements:
Badges for Members of the Board, their alternates and advisers, and representatives of Member States and organizations invited to attend, will be issued at:
- the Palais des Nations on 27 May from 08:00–17:00
- WHO headquarters on 28 May from 08:00–17:00, and on 29 May 2025 from 08:00 until the closure of the Executive Board session.
Announcement
Please be advised that delegates carrying travel luggage are not permitted to enter the UNOG premises via the pedestrian path at the Pregny Gate. Individuals with luggage must make their own arrangements for storage, as luggage is not permitted on the premises.
1. Date and working hours
The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly opened on Monday, 19 May 2025 at 09:00. The working hours of the Health Assembly are from 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 17:30 (CEST). The Health Assembly will close no later than Tuesday, 27 May 2025, as decided by the Executive Board at its 156th session.
2. Programme of work of the Health Assembly
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Thirteenth meeting of Committee A — Building E Room XX
09:00
Finalization of resolutions/decisions and reports
Draft sixth report of Committee A
Document (Draft) A78/53 containing three resolutions entitled:
- Accelerating action on the global health and care workforce by 2030
- Incorporation of the World Prematurity Day into the WHO calendar, to strengthen approaches to prevent preterm births and treat and care for preterm infants
- Regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes
And three decisions entitled:
- Substandard and falsified medical products
- Interim report of the Expert Advisory Group on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel
- Draft WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2025–2034
Item 14 (Pillar 1)
Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- Document A78/7 Rev. 1
Item 15 (Pillar 1)
Antimicrobial resistance
- Documents A78/8 and A78/8 Add.1
Eighth meeting of Committee B — Building E Room XVII
09:00
Finalization of resolutions/decisions and reports
Draft fourth report of Committee B
Document (draft) A78/52 containing three resolutions entitled:
- Raising the flags of non-Member Observer States at the World Health Organization
- Galvanizing global support for a lead-free future
- Effects of nuclear war on public health
And two decisions entitled:
- Collaboration within the United Nations system and with other intergovernmental organizations
- Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
Item 18 (Pillar 3) continued [Item transferred from Committee A]
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board
Item 18.3 continued
Climate change and health
- Documents A78/4, A78 Add.2, A78/4 Add.4, A78/B/CONF./3 Rev.1, A78/B/CONF./3 Rev.1 Add.1 and EB156/2025/REC/1, decision EB156(40)
Seventh Plenary meeting — Building E Room XIX
14:30
Item 8 continued
Reports of the main committees
Draft second report of Committee A
Document (Draft) A78/44 containing one resolution entitled:
- Programme budget 2026-2027
And one decision entitled:
- Process for handling and investigating potential allegations against WHO Directors-General
Draft first report of Committee B
Document (draft) A78/45, containing one decision entitled:
- Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
Draft third report of Committee A
Document (Draft) A78/48 containing two resolutions entitled:
- Strengthening the evidence-base for public health and social measures
- Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem
And two decisions entitled:
- Notifying the International Health Regulations (2005) to Palestine
- Health emergency in Ukraine and refugee-receiving and -hosting countries, stemming from the Russian Federation’s aggression
Draft second report of Committee B
Document (draft) A78/47 containing five resolutions entitled:
- Scale of assessments 2026–2027
- Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution
- Special arrangements for settlement of arrears: Lebanon
- Salaries of staff in ungraded positions and of the Director General
- Facts anterior
And four decisions entitled:
- Results report 2024 (Programme budget 2024–2025: performance assessment) and Financial report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
- Partial and temporary suspension of Financial Regulation VIII, 8.2
- Report of the External Auditor
- Appointment of representatives to the WHO Staff Pension Committee
Draft third report of Committee B
Document (draft) A78/49 containing two resolutions entitled:
- Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition 2012–2025: extension
- Reassignment of Indonesia from the South-East Asia Region to the Western Pacific Region
And four decisions entitled:
- Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021–2025: extension
- Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025: extension
- Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017–2025: extension
- International Health Regulations (2005): proposed procedure for the correction of errors in the text of the instrument
Draft fourth report of Committee A
Document (Draft) A78/50 containing five resolutions entitled:
- Promoting and prioritizing an integrated lung health approach
- Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease
- Primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments including vision impairment and hearing loss, across the life course
- World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day
- Fostering social connection for global health: the essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health
And one decision entitled:
- A dedicated report on mental health for WHO’s governing bodies
Draft fifth report of Committee A
Document (Draft) A78/51 containing six resolutions entitled:
- Strengthening national capacities in evidence-based decision making for the uptake and impact of norms and standards
- Rare diseases: a global health priority for equity and inclusion
- Strengthening health financing globally
- Strengthening medical imaging capacity
- Accelerating the eradication of dracunculiasis
- Skin diseases as a global public health priority
Draft fourth report of Committee B
Document (draft) A78/52 containing three resolutions entitled:
- Raising the flags of non-Member Observer States at the World Health Organization
- Galvanizing global support for a lead-free future
- Effects of nuclear war on public health
And two decisions entitled:
- Collaboration within the United Nations system and with other intergovernmental organizations
- Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
Draft sixth report of Committee A
Document (Draft) A78/53 containing three resolutions entitled:
- Accelerating action on the global health and care workforce by 2030
- Incorporation of the World Prematurity Day into the WHO calendar, to strengthen approaches to prevent preterm births and treat and care for preterm infants
- Regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes
And three decisions entitled:
- Substandard and falsified medical products
- Interim report of the Expert Advisory Group on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel
- Draft WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2025–2034
Item 9
Closure of the Health Assembly
3. Report of meetings
Eleventh meeting of Committee A
In the
Chair:
Dr Esperance Luvindao (Namibia)
Draft fifth report of Committee A
The Chair opened the meeting and called upon the Rapporteur, Ms Christy Butler (Bahamas), to read out the draft fifth report of Committee A, document (draft) A78/51 containing six resolutions entitled:
- Strengthening national capacities in evidence-based decision making for the uptake and impact of norms and standards
- Rare diseases: a global health priority for equity and inclusion
- Strengthening health financing globally
- Strengthening medical imaging capacity
- Accelerating the eradication of dracunculiasis
- Skin diseases as a global public health priority
The draft fifth report of Committee A was adopted.
Item 13 (Pillar 1) continued
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board
Item 13.5
Substandard and falsified medical products
The Chair opened the agenda subitem, drew the Committee’s attention to the relevant document A78/4 and invited delegates to consider the draft resolution recommended by the Executive Board contained in document EB156/2025/REC/1. The floor was opened for discussion.
At the invitation of the Chair, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO Regional Director ad interim for Africa, and the Secretariat addressed the Committee.
The Committee noted the relevant section of the report pertaining to this discussion as contained in document A78/4 and approved the draft decision contained in EB156(25).
The agenda subitem was closed.
Item 13.6
Standardization of medical devices nomenclature
The Chair opened the agenda subitem, drew the Committee’s attention to the relevant document A78/4 and invited comments from the floor. The Secretariat responded to questions raised.
The Committee noted the relevant section of the report pertaining to this discussion as contained in document A78/4 and closed the agenda subitem.
Item 13.7
Health and care workforce
o WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel
o Global strategy on human resources for health: workforce 2030
The Chair opened the agenda item, drew the Committee’s attention to relevant document A78/4 and invited delegates to consider the draft decision and resolution recommended by the Executive Board contained in document EB156/2025/REC/1 and invited comments from the floor.
At the invitation of the Chair, a statement was provided on behalf of the WHO Regional Director for the Americas and the Secretariat addressed the Committee.
The Committee noted the relevant section of the report pertaining to this discussion as contained in document A78/4 and approved the draft decision contained in document EB156(26) and the draft resolution contained in decision EB156(27).
Discussion of this agenda subitem was closed and the meeting was adjourned.
Sixth meeting of Committee B
In the
Chair:
Mrs Katarzyna Drążek-Laskowska (Poland)
Draft third report of Committee B
The Chair opened the meeting and called upon the Rapporteur, Dr Abdulrahman Alqashaan (Kuwait), to read out the draft third report of Committee B, document (draft) A78/49 containing two resolutions entitled:
- Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition 2012–2025: extension
- Reassignment of Indonesia from the South-East Asia Region to the Western Pacific Region
And four decisions entitled:
- Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021–2025: extension
- Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025: extension
- Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017–2025: extension
- International Health Regulations (2005): proposed procedure for the correction of errors in the text of the instrument
The draft fifth report of Committee B was adopted.
Item 26 (Pillar 4)
Agreements with intergovernmental organizations
Item 27 (Pillar 4)
Collaboration within the United Nations system and with other intergovernmental organizations
The Chair opened the grouped agenda items and invited comments from the floor.
In accordance with Rule 73 of the Rules of Procedure, a recorded vote was taken. The vote resulted in 95 votes in favour to 4 votes against, with 27 abstentions and 55 Member States absent.
In accordance with Rule 75 of the Rules of Procedure, the outcomes of the recorded vote will be available at: https://apps.who.int/gb/e/e_outcomes_of_recorded_votes.html
The Committee noted the report contained in document A78/32 and approved the decision contained in paragraph 6 of document A78/33 Add.1 and the resolution contained in document A78/B/CONF./2. The grouped agenda items were closed.
One delegate gave an explanation of vote under Rule 77 of the Rules of Procedure.
Item 18 (Pillar 3) [Item transferred from Committee A]
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board
Item 18.2
Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
The Chair opened the agenda subitem and invited comments from the floor. The Secretariat responded to questions raised and the Committee noted the relevant sections of the consolidated report contained in document A78/4 and approved decision EB156(33) contained in document EB156/2025/REC/1.
The agenda subitem was closed.
Item 18.1
The impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health
The Chair opened the agenda subitem and invited comments from the floor. Discussion of the subitem was suspended and the meeting was adjourned.
Twelfth meeting of Committee A
In the Chair: Dr Esperance Luvindao (Namibia)
Later: Dr Hanan Abdulghafoor Khaleel (Iraq)
Item 13 (Pillar 1) continued
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board
Item 13.8
Draft global traditional medicine strategy 2025–2034
The Chair opened the agenda subitem, drew the Committee’s attention to the relevant documents and invited delegates to consider the draft decision recommended by the Executive Board contained in document EB156/2025/REC/1. The floor was opened for discussion.
At the invitation of the Chair, the Secretariat addressed the Committee.
The Committee noted the relevant section of the report pertaining to this discussion as contained in document A78/4 and approved the draft decision contained in document EB156(28).
The agenda subitem was closed.
Item 13.9
Global strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health
The Chair opened the agenda subitem, drew the Committee’s attention to the relevant document A78/4 and invited delegates to consider the draft resolutions recommended by the Executive Board contained in document EB156/2025/REC/1. The floor was opened for discussion.
At the invitation of the Chair, a statement was provided on behalf of the WHO Regional Director for the Americas and the Secretariat addressed the Committee.
The Committee noted the relevant section of the report pertaining to this discussion as contained in document A78/4 and approved the two draft resolutions contained in decisions EB156(29) and EB156(30).
The Chair then gave the floor to the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros.
Discussion of this agenda subitem was closed and the meeting was adjourned.
Seventh meeting of Committee B
In the
Chair:
Mrs Katarzyna Drążek-Laskowska (Poland)
Item 18 (Pillar 3) continued [Item transferred from Committee A]
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board
Item 18.1 continued
The impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health
The Chair reopened the agenda subitem and noted the relevant sections pertaining to this discussion of the consolidated report, as contained in document A78/4. The Committee approved resolution EB156(32) contained in document EB156/2025/REC/1.
In accordance with Rule 73 of the Rules of Procedure, a recorded vote was taken in consideration of the draft resolution contained in document A78/A/CONF./1.
The vote resulted in 86 votes in favour to 14 votes against, with 28 abstentions and 53 Members absent. The Committee approved the resolution contained in document A78/A/CONF./1.
In accordance with Rule 75 of the Rules of Procedure, the outcome of the recorded vote will be available at: https://apps.who.int/gb/e/e_outcomes_of_recorded_votes.html
Several delegates gave an explanation of vote under Rule 77 of the Rules of Procedure.
At the invitation of the Chair, the Director-General addressed the Committee.
The agenda subitem was closed.
Item 18.3
Climate change and health
The Chair opened the agenda subitem and invited comments from the floor. The Secretariat responded to questions raised and the Committee noted the relevant sections of the consolidated report contained in document A78/4.
The Committee agreed to a proposal by the Chair to establish an informal drafting group to reach a common understanding on a draft decision.
The agenda subitem was suspended and the meeting was adjourned.
4. Meetings and official side-events
A number of group meetings and official side-events will be held at the Palais des Nations during the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. Official side-events and group meetings are listed on the governing bodies website:
https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78-other-meetings/A78_other_meetings.pdf
5. Announcements
Outcomes of recorded votes
Details concerning the outcomes of recorded votes can be found at: https://apps.who.int/gb/e/e_outcomes_of_recorded_votes.html
Support
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Video streaming
The public sessions will be webcast in the six UN languages. The webcasts can be viewed on Mac and PCs, as well as all mobile devices including iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows-enabled phones.
Arabic: https://player.4am.ch/who/20250519-27_WHA78/index.html?lang=ar
Chinese: https://player.4am.ch/who/20250519-27_WHA78/index.html?lang=zh
English: https://player.4am.ch/who/20250519-27_WHA78/index.html?lang=en
French: https://player.4am.ch/who/20250519-27_WHA78/index.html?lang=fr
Russian: https://player.4am.ch/who/20250519-27_WHA78/index.html?lang=ru
Spanish: https://player.4am.ch/who/20250519-27_WHA78/index.html?lang=es
Documents
Documents for the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly can be accessed on the Internet through the WHO website (https://apps.who.int/gb/e/e_wha78.html).
WHA App
The World Health Assembly application allows you to receive updates on the WHA78 programme of work and access documentation directly on your mobile device. Scan the QR code or search for “WHO Events” in the Apple or Google Stores on your phone.
Other information
Information concerning badge distribution, arrangements for conduct of discussion in meetings, interpretation, and written and verbal statements, can be found in the Guide for delegates to the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly.
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