UNITE has launched its Join Your Delegation campaign to call on parliamentarians to attend the 79th World Health Assembly. The campaign provides toolkits and resources to support MPs in joining their national delegations to WHA79, taking place from 18-23 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The upcoming 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) will be a defining moment in the evolution of global health governance.Â
Delegations from WHO Member States will vote on resolutions and policies and on the margins, multiple side-events will foster catalyzing discussions between stakeholders of the global health community. Â
In particular, the 79th WHA will be a crucial step toward the ratification of the Pandemic Agreement to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response. The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) will present the negotiated outcomes of the technical annex on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS), to be submitted for consideration and adoption by Member States.Â
why parliamentarians should attend WHA79
Parliamentarians are uniquely positioned to shape and strengthen health policy through their powers of law-making, budgeting, and oversight. Their presence at WHA79 can:
Elevate national and regional health priorities on the international stage.
Advocate for inclusive, equitable, and sustainably funded health systems.
Ensure that commitments made at the Assembly are not just promises, but actions implemented at home.
Represent the voices of communities and constituents, bringing real-world perspectives to high-level discussions.
With shrinking international aid and increasing global crises, the call for sustainable financing and inclusive policies has never been more urgent. Parliamentarians can be key advocates in this conversation, but only if they are at the table.
join the campaign
Through our “Join Your Delegation” campaign, UNITE is advocating for the inclusion of parliamentarians in global health forums, where their participation can help drive forward more impactful and equitable health decisions.
To support this effort, UNITE has prepared:
Campaign Toolkit
Explore our promotional campaign toolkit, available in English and Spanish with resources and prompts for how to take part in the Join Your Delegation campaign.
Whether you are a current or former Member of Parliament or a global health organization wanting to promote parliamentary participation at the WHA79 – we are calling on you to share the message!Â
Letter Templates for Parliamentarians
Advocate for inclusion in your country’s national delegation with our customizable letters addressed to Ministers of Health and Presidents/Speakers of Parliament in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. These also assist with navigating the necessary financial and logistical arrangements.
As global health decisions are being made, it’s essential that parliamentarians voices, and the voices of those they represent, are heard. Parliamentarian participation helps ensure global agreements are implemented nationally and help build health systems that work for everyone.
Stay informed by following UNITE’s social media channels, where we’ll be sharing updates, insights, and interviews with key stakeholders leading up to and during WHA79.
For more details, visit the campaign page here on our website or please reach out to the UNITE Secretariat at unitenetwork@unitenetwork.org.
