The 78th World Health Assembly concluded in Geneva on Tuesday with a landmark decision: the adoption of a global pandemic agreement aimed at fortifying defenses against future health crises. After nine days of deliberations, World Health Organization (WHO) member states approved the pact alongside a $4.2 billion base budget for 2026-2027, marking a pivotal step toward equitable pandemic preparedness.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the agreement as one of the organization’s “most significant achievements,” emphasizing its role in strengthening global collaboration. The accord, negotiated over three years in response to COVID-19’s devastating impact, prioritizes equitable access to medical resources and streamlined international coordination.
Delegates also greenlit a revised budget, reduced from an initial $5.3 billion proposal, to fund the WHO’s four-year strategic plan. Key resolutions included commitments to combat antimicrobial resistance, reduce air pollution’s health impacts by 50% by 2040, and advance traditional medicine integration. Topics like digital health, maternal nutrition, and rare diseases also gained traction.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, representing the Chinese mainland, addressed the assembly and participated in over 70 agenda reviews. China’s delegation hosted side events on public health innovation and engaged in cross-border dialogues, underscoring its role in shaping global health policy.
