The Seventy-ninth session of the World Health Assembly (WHA79) opened in Geneva on 18 May 2026, bringing together health ministers and delegates from WHO member states to address pressing global health challenges. Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam of the Dominican Republic was elected President of the Assembly, with five Vice-Presidents and two committee chairs elected to guide proceedings.
WHA79 Leadership and Regional Representation
Elected officials representing six continents, May 2026
Source: World Health Organization, May 2026 | Georgian Medical Journal News
Leadership elected for 79th global health assembly
According to WHO official records, Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam of the Dominican Republic assumes the presidency of WHA79. The Vice-Presidential slate includes Dr Mohamed Ali Al-Ghouj (Libya), Dr Assa Badiallo Touré (Mali), Katarzyna Drążek-Laskowska (Poland), Neesha Mehta (Nepal), and Elias Kapavore (Papua New Guinea).
Dr Timur Sultangaziyev of Kazakhstan chairs Committee A, while Dr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh of Ghana leads Committee B. This distribution reflects WHO’s commitment to geographic balance and equitable representation across all major regions, a principle embedded in global health governance.
High-level addresses focus on shared health priorities
Elisabeth Baume‑Schneider, Federal Councillor of the Swiss Confederation, welcomed delegates on behalf of the host country, emphasizing Switzerland’s commitment to multilateral health cooperation. Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, attending as Special Guest of Honour, underscored the Assembly’s role in advancing health equity across the African continent and beyond.
Video messages from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Syrian Arab Republic President Ahmad Al Sharaa, and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley reflected the global scale of health challenges requiring coordinated international response. These addresses set the tone for deliberations on health policy and emerging threats to population health.
WHO Director-General presents Global Health Awards
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, presented the 2026 Awards for Global Health to four recipients: Dr Tore Godal, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, Dr Mike Ryan, and Dr Heba El Sewedy. The awards recognize lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to improving health and well-being in communities worldwide.
Dr Mike Ryan, who heads the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, was recognized for his leadership during multiple public health crises. Dr Heba El Sewedy of Egypt has been instrumental in advancing quality and safety frameworks in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. These honorees represent the breadth of expertise required to address contemporary health challenges from infectious disease control to health systems strengthening.
Assembly agenda shaped by international stakeholders
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain addressed the Assembly during the afternoon plenary session, bringing European perspectives to ongoing discussions about pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and sustainable health financing. The convergence of political leaders and health officials signals the elevated importance of health within broader national and international agendas.
The Assembly will now turn to substantive deliberations on WHO’s strategic priorities, including implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals health targets, strengthening primary health care systems, and addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Outcomes from WHA79 are expected to shape global health policy through 2027.
The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly convened with elected leadership representing six continents, reflecting WHO’s commitment to geographic equity in global health governance and decision-making.
— World Health Organization, May 2026
Key takeaways
- WHA79 elected leadership representing 194 WHO member states from Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas
- Four global health leaders recognized with WHO Awards for lifetime achievements in disease control, health systems, and emergency response
- High-level attendance by heads of state and UN officials underscores health’s role in international governance and sustainable development
Frequently asked questions
What is the World Health Assembly and why does it matter?
The World Health Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the World Health Organization, comprising representatives from all 194 member states. It meets annually to set health priorities, approve budgets, and establish policy frameworks that guide international responses to pandemics, disease outbreaks, and health emergencies. Decisions made at the WHA influence health policy and funding for countries worldwide.
Who was elected to lead WHA79 and what do they do?
Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam of the Dominican Republic was elected President, with five Vice-Presidents and two committee chairs elected to guide proceedings. The President presides over debates, ensures equitable participation, and directs the Assembly’s work. Committee chairs oversee substantive discussions on health emergencies, disease prevention, and health systems.
What are the WHO Global Health Awards and why are they significant?
The WHO Global Health Awards recognize individuals who have made exceptional lifetime contributions to improving health and well-being worldwide. The 2026 recipients—Dr Tore Godal, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, Dr Mike Ryan, and Dr Heba El Sewedy—were honored for leadership in areas ranging from infectious disease control to health systems quality. These awards highlight the human expertise essential to achieving global health goals.
The proceedings of WHA79 are expected to produce actionable resolutions on pandemic preparedness, health financing mechanisms, and universal health coverage expansion. Results will be documented in official Assembly reports, which will be made available through WHO channels and will inform health policy implementation across member states through the remainder of the decade.
Source: World Health Assembly opens in Geneva, Switzerland