79th WHA Individual Statements
This statement is supported by the People’s Health Movement.
Honourable DG and Member States this is a moment of possibility. Through WHO reform and the UN80 agenda, we can build a stronger, more effective WHO to lead a fragmented global health landscape. This requires predictable and sufficient financing through assessed contributions, reinforcing WHO’s normative authority, and defending WHO’s role as the central coordinating authority in global health. It also demands democratic governance, with meaningful participation of countries and public interest CSOs.
At the same time, we urge caution: expanding decision-making roles for private actors and global health partnerships risks diluting accountability and undermining WHO’s public mandate. Reimagining WHO must strengthen—not weaken—its independence. With ambition and solidarity, you can renew WHO as a trusted, people-centered institution delivering health for all.