World Health Organization to champion global health resilience at UNGA81 in Switzerland
WHO leaders will also meet with heads of state and government, health ministers, development banks, multilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, civil society groups and scientific institutions.
SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners will use the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) to call for stronger action to make the world healthier, safer, and better prepared for future health threats.
UNGA81 will take place under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
The meeting comes as countries face mounting pressure from health emergencies, economic challenges, climate-related threats, and declining development assistance.
Against this backdrop, governments are also seeking ways to strengthen health systems and protect communities from emerging risks.
WHO sets out key health priorities
During the General Assembly, WHO will advocate for action in several areas that it considers critical to global health security.
These include pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; sustainable financing for health and WHO; climate and health; digital innovation and artificial intelligence; and stronger health systems.
The organisation will also promote universal health coverage and primary health care as key foundations for resilient health systems.
These efforts aim to help countries expand access to essential health services while improving their ability to respond to health emergencies.
WHO leaders will also meet with heads of state and government, health ministers, development banks, multilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, civil society groups and scientific institutions.
These engagements will focus on advancing cooperation and identifying practical approaches to shared health challenges.
Pandemic preparedness takes center stage
A major event during UNGA81 will be the Second United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR), scheduled for 25 September 2026.
The meeting will give governments an opportunity to assess progress since the first high-level meeting in 2023 and renew their commitment to preventing and responding to future pandemics.
WHO is expected to emphasise the importance of science, international cooperation and solidarity in strengthening global preparedness.
Since the 2023 meeting, countries and international partners have introduced several measures to improve pandemic preparedness.
These include adopting the WHO Pandemic Agreement, strengthening the International Health Regulations, and establishing the Pandemic Fund.
WHO has also developed initiatives to improve access to health intelligence and biological resources.
These include the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, the WHO BioHub System and the Global Health Emergency Corps.
The organisation has also expanded support for regional vaccine manufacturing to strengthen local and regional capacity to produce vaccines.
Recent outbreaks highlight preparedness needs
Despite these developments, recent outbreaks of Ebola, mpox, cholera and hantavirus continue to place pressure on health systems and emergency response networks.
WHO and its partners will therefore use UNGA81 to maintain political attention on pandemic preparedness while addressing wider challenges affecting global health.
The discussions will also examine how countries can strengthen health systems, improve financing and use digital technologies and artificial intelligence to support health services and health security.
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