79th World Health Assembly (WHA)
18th May 2026 - 23rd May 2026
Highlights for this year's #WHA79, which is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18–23 May 2026.
Every year, WHO Member States come together to agree on WHO leadership, priorities, budgets and policies. This year's World Health Assembly is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18–23 May 2026.
This year, UHC2030 is focusing on health financing, digital health and global health architecture reforms. See below for event details.
18–20 May 2026: WHA Civil society networking space
On the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, UHC2030 and the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM for UHC2030) will once again provide a space for civil society to network, discuss and develop effective advocacy strategies and collaboration that is needed to drive concrete action on universal health coverage. The venue will host 15 scheduled UHC-related sessions organized by different partners and provide a space for civil society to drop by to connect with colleagues.
18 May 2026: WHA side event: Partnership in action - Sustaining the momentum for country-led and self-reliant health financing amid fiscal constraints
The aim of the event is to sustain momentum around country-led and sustainably financed health with a view toward synthesizing current best practices in health financing policy reforms and shaping a narrative for the next UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage in 2027. This vision prioritizes health financing for transformative primary health care reforms and better protection against impoverishment from out-of-pocket expenditure on health. The session will provide an opportunity to demonstrate impact of country reforms that are emerging as a result of stronger policies for health financing following the adoption of the WHA78 Resolution on strengthening health financing globally.
- Date: 18 May 2026
- Time: 18:00-19:30 CET
- Location: Palais des Nations, Room XI, Geneva, Switzerland
- In-person event open to all WHA participants.
18 May 2026: Launch of the UHC2030 narrative on digital transformation of health systems for universal health coverage
This event brings together civil society, youth, and advocates working at the forefront of digital technologies and UHC. It also welcomes Member State delegates, policymakers, health sector professionals from the public and private sector, digital technology experts, development partners as valued participants. Spotlighting the urgent need to harness the full opportunity of digital technologies to strengthen inclusive and equitable health systems, the event will equip advocates with clear advocacy messages and provide decision-makers with suggested targeted actions to close gaps between commitments and implementation, ensuring UHC is placed at the heart of digital transformation of health systems.
- Date: 18 May 2026
- Time: 16:30 to 18:00 pm CET
- Location: Auditorium de la Pastorale – 106 Route de Ferney, Geneva, Switzerland
- In-person and online event. Register here to join online.
19 May 2026: Health Sovereignty in Action: The Central Role of Social Participation
Details coming soon!
- Date: 18 May 2026
- Time: 7:30 to 8:45 CET
- In-person event, by invitation only.
