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: UHC Day Champions meet & greet
Hosted by the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) for UHC2030.
This is an informal meet and greet and discussion with and among the 2025 UHC Day champions.
- Date: 18 May 2026
- Time: 9:00-10:00 CET
- Location: Auditorium de la Pastorale – 106 Route de Ferney, Geneva
In-person event at the civil society networking space
18 May 2026: From gaps to gains: Delivering UHC through gender-responsive health systems
Hosted by The George Institute for Global Health, Humanity & Inclusion, Imperial College London, NCD Alliance, CSEM for UHC2030, WaterAid, Women in Global Health
This session will convene stakeholders to share the latest evidence, experience and best practices on advancing UHC through gender-responsive health systems. The event will examine the critical role of integrating gender-responsive approaches across all levels and building blocks of the health system, including policy and planning, financing, information systems and service delivery, to ensure equitable and effective health outcomes for all.
- Date: 18 May 2026
- Time: 12:30–14:00 CET
- Location: Auditorium de la Pastorale – 106 Route de Ferney, Geneva
In person and online event. Register here.
18 May 2026: Launch of the UHC2030 narrative on digital transformation of health systems for universal health coverage
Hosted by UHC2030, CSEM for UHC2030, Transform Health, OECD, DTH-Lab, GIDH, ADB
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 CET
- Location: Auditorium de la Pastorale – 106 Route de Ferney, Geneva, Switzerland
In-person and online event. Register here to join online (viewing only).
18 May 2026: WHA side event: Partnership in action - Sustaining the momentum for country-led and self-reliant health financing amid fiscal constraints
Hosted by Japan, Nigeria, UN Foundation and UHC2030, and cosponsored by Cambodia, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya Philippines and Thailand
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.
19 May 2026: Health Sovereignty in Action: The Central Role of Social Participation
This side event aims to to promote political and technical dialogue among governments, civil society, and international organizations on how social participation can strengthen health sovereignty, contributing to the effective implementation of 77th World Health Assembly Resolution on Social Participation for Universal Health Coverage, Health and Well-Being.
- Date: 19 May 2026
- Time: 7:30 to 8:45 CET
- In-person event, by invitation only.
19 May 2026: The social participation village: Where every voice shapes health governance
Hosted by IAPO, CSEM for UHC2030, Global Health Council, Save the Children, The George Institute for Global Health, SPHERE
The Social Participation Village will convene civil society, patient organisations and a wide range of stakeholders to exchange feedback on progress, drawing on both official reporting and community-led insights. The event will also initiate a collective effort to map the global social participation landscape through a live, interactive stakeholder mapping exercise, capturing who is active, where and how. Building on this shared understanding, participants will reflect on advocacy priorities and collaboration opportunities to accelerate implementation of the resolution at country, regional and global levels.
- Date: 19 May 2026
- Time: 9:30–11:00 CET
- Location: Auditorium de la Pastorale – 106 Route de Ferney, Geneva, Switzerland
In-person and online event. Register here.
19 May 2026: Youth voices for universal health coverage: A networking and learning session
Hosted by Transform Health and the CSEM for UHC2030, featuring: IFMSA, WHO Youth Council, IPSF, Incision, World Medical Association, Rare Diseases International, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation
The session provides a platform for youth and youth-led organisations to share their work across a range of health issues, from mental health and sexual and reproductive health to digital transformation, primary healthcare, and health equity. It will highlight how these efforts contribute to strengthening health systems and expanding equitable access to essential services as part of progress toward universal health coverage. By creating space for dialogue and shared learning, the event aims to deepen collaboration, build stronger partnerships, and amplify youth-led solutions and initiatives to drive meaningful change and accelerate progress toward UHC. We warmly welcome anyone to join, especially youth advocates.
- Date: 19 May 2026
- Time: 16:00–18:00 CET
- Location: Auditorium de la Pastorale – 106 Route de Ferney, Geneva, Switzerland
- In-person event. Register here.
