The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) is taking place from 18-23 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The World Health Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), responsible for setting the organization's policies, appointing the Director-General, overseeing finances, and approving the budget. It's a pivotal annual event where global health priorities are set, strategies are formed, and commitments are made. The decisions made at WHA79 will have far-reaching implications for the health and well-being of people worldwide. 

IAPO Side-Events

The Social Participation Village: Where Every Voice Shapes Health Governance Tuesday, 19 May, 9:30-11:00 CEST Location: WHA79 Civil Society Networking Space, Centre du Domaine de la Pastorale, Geneva IAPO and the CSEM for UHC2030 will co-host a side event on social participation

The Value Collection: Stories Shaped by Flexible, People-centred Primary Health Care Wednesday, 20 May, 18:30-20:30 CEST Location: International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum, Geneva IAPO, UNAIDS, Harvard Medical School Program in Global Primary Health Care and Roche will co-host an immersive exhibition exploring the value of flexible, people-centred primary health care. It will bring together personal stories and objects that illustrate what becomes possible when care is designed around people’s needs and lived realities

Civil Society Shaping the WHO Civil Society Engagement Strategy: Opportunities for Meaningful Participation in Global Health Governance, Wednesday, 20 May, 12:00-13:30 CEST Location: WHA79 Civil Society Networking Space, Centre du Domaine de la Pastorale, Geneva IAPO and the International Cerebral Palsy Society will co-host a side event to present the latest developments on the WHO Civil Society Engagement Strategy and seek input from civil society organisations on their perspectives and priorities

Registration for these events will open soon.