PHM at the 79th World Health Assembly

The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) comes at a time when the right to health is under threat around the world and intersecting global crises: from surging wars, energy crisis, climate collapse and deepening inequality to austerity and resurgent authoritarianism. Environmental destruction threatens lives, social protections are eroded, and far-right leaders attack rights in favor of profit. Armed and genocidal violence rages in different parts of the world.

The annual assembly convenes WHO member states to set global health policies and budgets. The WHA79 will focus on issues such as: Health financing, digital health, and climate change. Join PHM’s Team of Watchers and follow the discussions at the WHA79 scheduled for 18–23 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.

WHA79 Watch

This year the WHO Watch Team is once again attending the World Health Assembly. The Watchers will be commenting on various agenda items, produce daily briefs that provide summaries of the discussions happening during the Assembly, and develop a policy brief on key agenda items.

The WHO watchers this year come from Syria, India, Peru, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Canada, The Netherlands, Belgium, Indonesia, Germany and South Africa.

Daily Briefs – WHA79

Daily Brief Monday 18 May 2026 - EN - FR - ES
Daily Brief Tuesday 19 May 2026 – EN - FR - ES
Daily Brief Wednesday 20 May 2026 – EN - FR - ES
Daily Brief Thursday 21 May 2026 – EN - FR - ES

PHM Policy Brief - WHA79

Democratizing global health governance: mission impossible?

As the 79th World Health Assembly begins in Geneva, PHM activists call for Alma-Ata vision to guide global health architecture changes.

By WHO-Watch Team for The People's Dispatch and PHM.

The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) will take place from May 18-23, 2026 in Geneva. The meeting is taking place in the context of a World Health Organization (WHO) overburdened by many competing crises, a decreasing budget and staff, and the uncertainties of preparing for the election of a new Director-General in 2027.

For the People’s Health Movement (PHM), Primary Health Care (PHC) as envisioned under the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata remains the guiding vision for a just and equitable global health system. Yet the WHO faces a fork in the road as we approach 50 years since the Declaration’s adoption.