Budgetary limitations and pandemic-related agreements to be discussed at the significant World Health Organization summit
Let's Get the Show on the Road:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is gearing up for its annual shindig, the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), from May 19-27, 2025, in the bustling city of Geneva, Switzerland. This year's theme? "One World for Health."
Spotlight on Global Health:
With the world still reeling from the impacts of Covid-19 and facing emerging health threats, the Assembly couldn't come at a more critical time. Catharina Boehme, WHO's assistant director-general for external relations and governance, said it all: "This massive gathering is happening at a pivotal moment for global health."
One of the main topics on the agenda will be the long-awaited adoption of an international agreement on better pandemic protection and response. After intense negotiations lasting over three years, countries have finally reached a consensus. However, the deal needs final approval from the World Health Assembly, a discussion set to unfold on Tuesday.
The Absentee:
The United States, once a significant player in the global health arena, won't be showing up this time. After slashing foreign aid spending and withdrawing from the WHO, the US will be missing from the negotiations. A European diplomat, speaking anonymously, summed it up: "The agreement is a slap in the face for global cooperation, even if it's cooperation without the US."
With the US out of the picture, a new intergovernmental working group will be established to hammer out details of the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), a system aimed at sharing pathogen data swiftly with pharmaceutical companies, helping them develop pandemic-fighting products.
Tightening the Purse Strings:
Another pressing issue on the table will be the drastic reduction of WHO operations and finances due to deep US funding cuts. With the US giving WHO $1.3 billion for its 2022-2023 budget, the agency's impending full withdrawal next January promises a significant budget gap.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's chief, has announced that the organization will slash its leadership team nearly in half. The agency is also proposing a reduced budget of $4.2 billion for the 2026-2027 biennium, a 21% decrease from the original proposed budget of $5.3 billion. The member states will vote on a 20% increase in WHO's mandatory membership fees for the 2026-27 budget period, with the goal of securing the long-term financial sustainability and independence of WHO.
Looking Ahead:
The Assembly will also tackle other issues such as determining the policies of the organization, reviewing overall global health agendas, and potentially appointing a new Director-General (if necessary). With development assistance funding for health resources dwindling worldwide, the discussion around the WHO's financial future is more crucial than ever. Let's hope this global powwow paves the way for a healthier, more secure world.
- The United States' absence from the World Health Assembly (WHA78) is significant, as the US has traditionally played a substantial role in global health, such as in the development of health-and-wellness policies and funding for science-related initiatives.
- The Science and Finance ministries of the United States may need to reconsider their approach towards international health cooperation, considering the US's absence from the WHO discussions and the potential impact on health-related fields like pandemic response, particularly when it comes to the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS).
- As the United States grapples with its reduced financial contribution to the World Health Organization, the member states might explore innovative partnerships and financing models for the health-and-wellness sector to ensure the organization's long-term financial sustainability and the success of global health endeavors, such as those outlined in the WHA78 agenda.
