The 75th World Health Assembly (WHA), which took place from May 22-28 of May 2022, was shaped by current geopolitical tensions and wars. This was reflected in the Assembly's theme: "Health for Peace, Peace for Health". In his opening statement, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus referred to the disastrous health consequences of wars, whether in Ukraine, Yemen, or Ethiopia. In a resolution introduced by Ukraine, the Assembly condemned Russia's attacks on health facilities.
After some discussion, the Member States decided to initiate a reform of International Health Regulations (IHR), with the aim of strengthening pandemic prevention. However, there is still considerable disagreement over how comprehensive such a reform should be. A paradigm shift was achieved with regard to the financing of WHO.
Not surprisingly, it was swiftly confirmed that the incumbent WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the only candidate will remain in office for another five years.
A new strategy on HIV, on the other hand, was subject to much more contentious debate - and in the end was only adopted with the abstention of numerous countries.
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