WHO Assembly extends Ukraine health mandate and pushes for integrated NCD care

The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly convened on 20 May 2026, marking a significant session for global health policy and recognition. The Assembly honoured six laureates for their contributions to public health, presented by Assembly President Dr Víctor Elias Atallah Lajam and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In a key policy decision, delegates voted to extend the implementation of resolution WHA75.11, which addresses the health emergency in Ukraine, with a progress report mandated for 2027.

The awards ceremony celebrated professionals and institutions dedicated to advancing primary health care, reducing inequities, and promoting the goal of health for all. Dr Lajam, representing the Dominican Republic, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented the prizes alongside high-level representatives from the foundations that established these awards. The laureates were recognised for their outstanding contributions to public health from around the world.

Regarding the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, Assembly delegates reviewed a report by the Director-General on the ongoing emergency health response and WHO’s continuous support to the country. Based on this assessment, delegates approved a decision requesting the continued implementation of the existing resolution WHA75.11. A progress report on the health emergency in Ukraine is required to be submitted to the World Health Assembly in 2027.

The Assembly also hosted a strategic roundtable focusing on the integration of noncommunicable disease and mental health responses. This discussion builds on the 2025 Political Declarations, emphasising a shift towards people-centred systems that address multimorbidity and utilise fiscal policy tools to mitigate health risks. Ministers, policy-makers, partners, and people with lived experience participated in the dialogue to explore how systems can better respond to evolving challenges.

Noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions remain the leading causes of illness and premature death globally, driven by shared social, commercial, and environmental factors. Participants stressed the need to move beyond disease-specific approaches towards integrated systems that address risk factors, strengthen social connections, and engage communities. Financing and fiscal policy, including taxation and incentives, were highlighted as critical mechanisms for tackling both risk factors and broader health determinants.

Many health systems currently struggle with fragmentation and are ill-equipped to manage multimorbidity and widening inequities, particularly as populations age. The discussions at the roundtable underscored the importance of multisectoral action across prevention, treatment, and care. These efforts align with the renewed global commitments established by the 2025 Political Declarations on noncommunicable diseases and mental health, aiming to coordinate action across sectors to improve health outcomes.