Words by Isabel O’Brien
In a wide-ranging address that opened the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, the Director-General of the World Health Organization briefed health leaders on the action WHO is taking to prepare for future pandemics, tackle the climate crisis and confront the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
“This is truly a historic moment,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told delegates, reflecting on three years of negotiations that have led to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Formally adopted today, the accord aims to ensure the world is never caught off guard by a pandemic again. The playbook includes mechanisms for sharing vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, and a target to allocate 20% of pandemic health products to lower-income countries.
But the agenda wasn’t just focused on future outbreaks. Dr Tedros spotlighted the climate crisis as a present and growing threat to health, announcing a partnership with GAVI and UNICEF to bring solar power to 1,000 health facilities in Ethiopia, Uganda, Pakistan and Zambia. Additionally, a new partnership has been sought with past, present and future COP presidencies to keep health at the centre of climate talks.
Equity was a recurring theme. With 33 agencies now recognised as WHO Listed Authorities, the approval process for medicines should speed up, improving access for low- and middle-income countries. Last year alone, 126 medicines, vaccines and diagnostics were prequalified, a significant step towards narrowing the health gap.
However, access to medicines is only part of the picture. The WHO leader also discussed how it plans to tackle the global health workforce gap projected to hit 11 million by 2030. WHO pledged to help countries train and retain more health workers, especially in areas where migration and ageing populations are stretching systems thin.
On AMR, there was plenty to celebrate. Over 170 countries now have national action plans, and Nepal’s ban on certain antibiotic combinations shows political will is growing. Additionally, the first guidance on wastewater and solid waste management for antibiotic manufacturing was released last year to prevent further water supply contamination.
In its entirety, the speech highlighted clear progress – with the WHO Pandemic Agreement a standout achievement – and showed that global health is advancing despite key challenges. However, Dr Tedros’ core message was direct: every player, from governments to industry to frontline workers, must step up to ensure a healthier, fairer future for all.
“We are here to serve not our own interests, but the eight billion people of our world. To leave a heritage for those who come after us; for our children and our grandchildren. And to work together for a healthier, more peaceful and more equitable world. It’s possible. Our current crisis is an opportunity to do just that, and together, we will do it.”
