The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on member states to remain steadfast in their commitment to shared global health goals, despite prevailing international instability.
Dr Ghebreyesus made the appeal on Monday at the opening of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.
“We are here to serve not our own interests, but the eight billion people of our world,” he said. “Our mission is to leave a legacy for future generations by working together towards a healthier, more peaceful, and more equitable world. It is possible.”
The 78th WHA, WHO’s highest decision-making forum, continues until 27 May and convenes representatives from all 194 member states under the theme “One World for Health.”
The 2025 agenda includes key issues such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, digital health, and a crucial vote on the proposed Pandemic Agreement. The draft accord, developed over three years, aims to avoid the fragmented responses witnessed during the COVID-19 crisis. If adopted, it would become only the second legally binding global health treaty under WHO’s constitution, following the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Dr Ghebreyesus highlighted notable progress made by WHO, including a one-third reduction in global smoking rates since the adoption of the tobacco framework, and ongoing efforts to improve air quality and build climate-resilient health systems. He commended countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Oman and Vietnam for strengthening regulations on tobacco and e-cigarette use.
He acknowledged that progress in maternal and child health had stalled in some areas but noted renewed initiatives to reduce newborn mortality. He also celebrated an 83 per cent global immunisation coverage rate and pointed to successes in disease elimination, including Cabo Verde, Egypt and Georgia being declared malaria-free.
Also Read: WHO Nominates Prof Mohamed Janabi as Regional Director for Africa
Despite these achievements, the Director-General expressed concern over a projected funding shortfall of 500 million dollars for the next biennium. This, he warned, could constrain the scope of WHO’s work. Member states are expected to vote on a proposed 20 per cent increase in assessed contributions, alongside a reduced budget of 4.2 billion dollars for 2026–2027 down from an earlier proposal of 5.3 billion dollars.
Dr Ghebreyesus also criticised global spending priorities, highlighting the disparity between WHO’s budget and the vast sums spent on military operations and tobacco industry advertising. He urged a rethinking of global values.
He provided updates on WHO’s emergency operations in 89 countries, including responses to cholera, Ebola and other outbreaks, as well as humanitarian interventions in conflict zones such as Sudan, Ukraine and Gaza. He noted that, despite extensive medical evacuations from Gaza, over 10,000 patients remain in urgent need of care.
Looking ahead, Dr Ghebreyesus outlined WHO’s strategic focus areas: enhanced pandemic intelligence, vaccine development, digital health, and the expanded use of artificial intelligence and mRNA technologies.
