Geneva: The World Health Assembly has decided to establish a joint process led by Member States, hosted by WHO, and involving global health partners, to reform the global health architecture.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Assembly agreed that the process should develop options and recommendations to meet the specific and collective needs of countries and communities, focusing on maximizing access, impact, and equity. This initiative will build on existing reform efforts and relevant elements of the UN80 Initiative.
Member States have shown strong support for WHO's central role as a convenor and norm-setter. While the process will be led by Member States, it is intended to be a collaborative effort with global health initiatives and UN partners, ensuring meaningful engagement from key stakeholders, including civil society and youth.
The proposal adopted by the Assembly acknowledged the health improvements achieved through the existing global health architecture in recent years, particularly in disease control, global norms, and collective action against cross-border health threats. However, Member States noted that the current architecture has not kept pace with the evolving global environment.
Challenges such as the expansion of national health sovereignty, changing disease burdens, rapid scientific advancements, and shifts in health financing were highlighted as areas where the existing global health architecture has struggled to adapt.
Moreover, the proliferation of health actors has led to a more complex global health landscape, resulting in power imbalances, fragmentation, and duplication, which have affected country ownership and leadership.
The Health Assembly has tasked the WHO Director-General with submitting a final report featuring options and recommendations for transforming the global health architecture at the next World Health Assembly.
