WHA79 opens in Geneva with new leadership and global health honours

The Seventy-ninth session of the World Health Assembly (WHA79) opened in Geneva, Switzerland, on 18 May 2026. The session began with the election of Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam of the Dominican Republic as President of the Health Assembly.

The Assembly also elected a slate of Vice-Presidents and Committee Chairs to guide its proceedings. The Vice-Presidents include Dr Mohamed Ali Al-Ghouj of Libya, Dr Assa Badiallo Touré of Mali, Mrs Katarzyna Drążek-Laskowska of Poland, Mrs Neesha Mehta of Nepal, and Mr Elias Kapavore of Papua New Guinea. Dr Timur Sultangaziyev of Kazakhstan and Dr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh of Ghana were elected as Chairs of Committee A and Committee B, respectively.

High-level addresses marked the opening proceedings. H.E. Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Federal Councillor of the Swiss Confederation, addressed the Assembly on behalf of the host country. She was followed by remarks from H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, who served as the Special Guest of Honour.

Delegates also received video messages from H.E. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Ahmad Al Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, and H.E. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, addressed the Assembly and subsequently presented the Awards for Global Health. The awards recognised lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to improving community health and well-being, honouring Dr Tore Godal, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, Dr Mike Ryan, and Dr Heba El Sewedy.

The afternoon plenary session concluded with an address from H.E. Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain, who appeared as a Special Guest.