The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) takes 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 will build upon the momentum of the last year's 78th World Health Assembly, which adopted the Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health, 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 offers 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 are hosting side events on climate and health at the margins of WHA79. Confirmed events are listed here:
In support of this agenda, WHO is preparing to launch an updated Health and Climate Change Global Survey Report, which tracks progress and provides the most comprehensive picture to date of national commitments, capacities, and gaps across Member States, to be published prior to COP31. The report is based on data collected through the 2025 WHO Health and Climate Change Global Survey and builds on previous survey rounds, including 2018 and 2021, to strengthen and expand the evidence base on global climate–health action.
During WHA79, WHO is also planning to launch 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 will be made available soon.
Related links
Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH)