The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) took place from 18 – 23 May, in Geneva, Switzerland. Held under the theme “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility”, WHA79 reflected ongoing efforts to reform the global health architecture and strengthen collaboration across governments, international organizations, civil society, researchers and communities. 

Taking place amid heightened attention to sustainable financing, re-emerging disease outbreaks, climate-related health threats, humanitarian crises, health inequities and fragile health systems, this year’s Assembly reinforced the need to ensure adequate domestic financing for health while scaling up surveillance, preparedness and response capacities.

Member States discussed a broad range of global health priorities, including strengthening primary healthcare, addressing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions, expanding immunization coverage, protecting the health workforce and advancing well-being and health promotion. Delegates also discussed the draft Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) (2026–2036) and the draft Strategy on the Economics of Health for All (2026–2030), which places health and well-being for all at the centre of development policy and finance.

Throughout the Assembly, FDI contributed to negotiations and policy discussions that led to the adoption of major global health strategies and resolutions. The delegation also participated in several high-level events and engaged with partners including the NCD Alliance, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), the WHO Oral Health Team, the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA), and private sector stakeholders.

New roadmap positions workplaces as key platforms for oral health promotion

FDI launched its new report, “Oral Health at Work: A Roadmap for Prevention, Productivity and Workforce Well-being”, during a high-level side event on the margins of WHA79.

Co-hosted with the Governments of the Republic of Ireland, the Republic of Mauritius and Malaysia, the event brought together representatives from governments, WHO, academia, civil society and the private sector to discuss oral health as a key driver of workforce well-being, productivity and economic growth.

The report builds on Action 44 of the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030, which calls on the private sector to implement workplace oral health measures.

Developed with support from the Vision 2030 Industry Action Group, the report provides practical guidance for employers, policymakers and industry leaders to integrate oral health into workplace health strategies and translate policy into action.

Read the report

Read the Press Release 

FDI’s engagements at WHA79

FDI reaffirms commitment at the launch of the WHO Global Coalition on Oral Health

FDI participated in the official launch of the WHO Global Coalition on Oral Health — a new platform designed to support implementation of the Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023–2030) through collaboration, advocacy and knowledge sharing.

The launch convened Member States, UN agencies, civil society, academia and international business associations around a shared goal: advancing Universal Health Coverage for oral health by 2030.

The Coalition is built around a country-led, partner-supported and WHO-facilitated approach. Its work will focus on:

1. Advocacy to strengthen oral health within UHC and NCD agendas
2. Knowledge translation to turn evidence into practical solutions for implementation

During a panel discussion on building a multisectoral movement, FDI President Asst. Prof. Dr Nikolai Sharkov emphasized the need to move from fragmented efforts to coordinated action, and how FDI and its members can support countries in these efforts. He also described key success indicators for the Coalition in the near term and long-term. 

The response to the launch event, with more than 70 in-person participants and over 200 reportedly joining online, demonstrated continued interest in oral health and reinforced its role within the wider health agenda.

Explore the Global Coalition on Oral Health: From pledge to action on UHC for oral health | Knowledge Action Portal on NCDs

Health professions side event highlights health workforce as a strategic investment

WHPA hosted a side event titled “Health Is Wealth: Why Investing in Health Professionals Pays Off” during WHA79. The discussion aligned closely with debates on the Economics of Health for All, emphasizing investment in health systems and the workforce as both a health and economic imperative.

Representing FDI, Prof. Jenny Gallagher, the President of IADR, highlighted the role of health professionals in responding to the triple threats of communicable diseases, NCDs and mental health conditions and environmental threats. She also emphasized the cost-effectiveness of investing in well-trained and adequately supported health professionals, as well as the value of interprofessional collaboration in strengthening health systems and improving patient outcomes.

Read the Press Release on WHPA's side event

WHA79 outcomes: Member States advance major global health priorities

Despite growing pressures on multilateralism, WHA79 concluded with the adoption of more than 20 decisions and 13 resolutions covering issues such as stroke, liver disease, tuberculosis, AMR, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, haemophilia, precision medicine and radiation safety.

New WHO AMR action plan recognizes oral healthcare

WHA79 approved the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) 2026–2036, highlighting governments’ commitments to tackling AMR – one of the top ten global health threats of our time. The plan aims to reduce antimicrobial resistance by lowering AMR-related deaths, cutting antimicrobial use in agrifood systems, and minimizing environmental pollution from antimicrobial residues and resistant microbes by 2030. Following the launch of the first GAP-AMR in 2015, more than 170 countries have developed multisectoral national action plans on AMR and 104 countries report on AMR to WHO routinely.

GAP-AMR (2026-2036) proposes six interconnected strategic objectives which provide a framework for countries, the WHO and other UN organizations, implementation partners, non-State actors, such as FDI, and the private sector “to align and accelerate implementation of context-appropriate AMR national action plans”. 

As highlighted by FDI throughout the development of the new GAP-AMR, the inclusion of “quality oral health” as a measure to strengthen infection prevention and control reflects FDI’s sustained advocacy to ensure oral health is integrated within global and national AMR strategies. It also underscores the role of oral health professionals and National Dental Associations (NDAs) in both developing national action plans and promoting responsible antibiotic use. FDI’s statement on this agenda item emphasized that National Dental Associations (NDAs) can help advance all six strategic objectives of the action plan.

Read FDI’s statement on AMR HERE

FDI spotlights oral disease prevention during the debates on NCDs 

During the discussion on NCDs, Member States debates addressed the main outcomes of the Eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) as well as the elements of the Director General’s report on NCDs presented at the 158th WHO Executive Board earlier in January 2026, including WHO released its guideline on environmentally friendly and less invasive oral healthcare for the prevention and management of dental caries. 

Through a statement, FDI commended Member States on the launch of the Global Coalition on Oral Health. FDI also urged governments to strengthen the prevention of caries and other oral diseases and ensure access to affordable, appropriate dental care while mercury free restorative materials continue to evolve.

Read FDI’s statement on NCDs HERE

FDI calls for integration of oral health into workplace well-being and health promotion initiatives 

At WHA79, Member States reaffirmed their support for “a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to well-being and health promotion”, and “cross-sectoral collaboration beyond traditional indicators”. 

Building on this important commitment, FDI’s statement highlighted the role workplaces play in health promotion and diseases prevention and emphasized that nearly 60% of the working-age population are employed.  FDI also called for integrating oral health within workplace wellness strategies to advance Universal Health Coverage for oral health for all.

Read FDI’s statement on well-being and health promotion HERE

Uneven HPV vaccine coverage threatens Immunization Agenda 2030 targets

WHA79 discussions on WHO’s Immunization Agenda 2030 highlighted persistent global gaps in HPV vaccination coverage, with only around 31% of girls worldwide having received a first dose of the vaccine; well below the 90% target for 2030.

During the debates on this agenda item, FDI emphasized that HPV-related diseases extend beyond cervical cancer and pointed to rising rates of oropharyngeal cancers as a growing concern. Also, FDI called for integrated, people-centred health systems that expand adolescent vaccination, promote gender-equitable access and reach underserved populations. FDI also highlighted the untapped role of oral health professionals in prevention, early detection and vaccine advocacy.

Read FDI’s statement on Immunization Agenda 2030 HERE

Looking ahead 

With major outcomes including on ethical international recruitment of health workers, global health architecture reform, antimicrobial resistance and many other priorities, WHA79 set an ambitious agenda for advancing global health and economic well-being.

The focus now shifts to implementation. Governments will need sustained political leadership, financing and cooperation to translate commitments into action. FDI remains committed to supporting Member States and partners in advancing the global oral health agenda and ensuring health is fully integrated into wider sustainable development efforts.