WHO’s annual assembly opens in Geneva today, May 19, 2014, as a new global survey reveals that WHO is one of the world’s 2 most highly rated international organizations. Approximately two-thirds (72%) of the public surveyed by Gallup say they have a good opinion of WHO and its close partner, UNICEF.
More than 3000 delegates are expected to attend the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly. Over the next 6 days, high-level representatives from WHO’s 194 Member States will discuss and make decisions on key global health issues, including:
- efforts to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers and chronic lung disease;
- a new global strategy and targets to prevent and control tuberculosis;
- proposals to improve the health of patients with viral hepatitis;
- a draft action plan for newborn health;
- progress on WHO’s global strategy for maternal and young child nutrition;
- progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and the role of health on the post-2015 development agenda;
- ways to tackle antimicrobial drug resistance;
- efforts to improve access to essential medicines and strengthen the systems that regulate medicines;
- management of autism; and
- protecting more people from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Delegates will also review the progress the Organization is making on reform.
Today’s meeting will be opened by Dr Shigeru Omi of Japan, President of the Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly. Delegates will then elect a new president and officers. WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan will address the Assembly at 14.30 (CET). Her speech will be made available to the media immediately. Delegates at the plenary will then debate the relationship between climate and health.