The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly was held at the Palais des Nations and the World Health Organization headquarters, Geneva, from 18 to 23 May 2026, in accordance with the decision of the Executive Board at its 157th session.¹ The theme for the general discussion in plenary meetings was “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility”.²

The officers of the Health Assembly were:

Outgoing President of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly:

Dr Teodoro Herbosa (Philippines)
 

President of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly:

Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam (Dominican Republic)
 

Vice-Presidents:

Dr Mohamed Ali Al-Ghouj (Libya)
Dr Assa Badiallo Touré (Mali)
Ms Neesha Mehta (Nepal)
Mr Elias Kapavore (Papua New Guinea)
Ms Katarzyna Drążek-Laskowska (Poland)

The verbatim record contains the record of proceedings during the seven plenary meetings of the Health Assembly. The digital recording of the meetings includes the interventions made by each speaker, in the original language of delivery.

In addition, the summary records of the work of Committee A and Committee B are provided in document WHA79/2026/REC/3 and the resolutions and decisions are provided in document WHA79/2026/REC/1, in addition to other relevant material. For a list of abbreviations used in these volumes, membership of the Health Assembly committees, the agenda and the list of documents for the session, please see the preliminary pages of document WHA79/2026/REC/1.

¹ Decision EB157(11) (2025).
² See document A79/DIV./2.

LIST OF SESSIONS     —     GOVERNING BODIES     —     OFFICIAL RECORDS