The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) took place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18 to 23 May 2026, bringing together delegations from WHO Member States to set global health policy and advance the Organization's strategic priorities.
It built upon the momentum of the last year's 78th World Health Assembly, which adopted the Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health, an updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution, and the elevation of climate change as the first strategic objective of WHO's Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14, 2025–2028). Looking forward to COP31, co-hosted by Türkiye and Australia, this Assembly offered an opportunity for the global climate and health community to convene and sustain the political momentum secured at WHA78.
Several Member States and civil society organisations hosted side events on climate, air pollution, energy and health at the margins of WHA79. The events are listed here:
During WHA79, WHO has also launched the Global plan for communications, advocacy and partnerships for climate change and health, designed to support the WHA77 resolution and sustain momentum through COP31 and beyond. More details available here.
Related links
Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH)
Health in Climate Change Talks