The World Health Assembly (WHA), the world’s foremost health policy forum, convenes annually in May, bringing together delegations from the World Health Organization (WHO)’s 194 Member States, United Nations agencies, international organizations, as well as non-State actors in official relations with WHO. FDI and the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR) are the only two non-State actors in official relations with WHO focused on oral health. Through strategic collaboration—joint statements and high-level events—FDI and IADR work to strengthen global oral health advocacy and amplify impact.

The seventy-eighth session of WHA (WHA78) will take place from 19–27 May, in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme “One World for Health”. WHA78 comes at a critical time, as the global health community responds to evolving geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges. FDI’s delegation will include its President, Dr Greg Chadwick, reinforcing its leadership’s commitment to a world with optimal oral health. 

Discussions at WHA78 will cover important agenda items, including Universal Health Coverage, the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, climate and health, Health and care workforce and lots more. Member States are also expected to adopt over 20 Resolutions and Decisions during WHA78. 

Elevating oral health ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs

WHA78 is also one of the important opportunities to influence the outcomes of the 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases in New York this September. FDI will participate in a side event on oral health hosted by the Government of Malaysia building on the commitments from the first-ever WHO Global Oral Health Meeting in 2024. This event will bring together policymakers, experts, and other stakeholders to discuss integrating oral diseases into global NCD and UHC agendas including through the outcomes of the September meeting, as recommended in the Bangkok Declaration.

Additionally, FDI will co-host with IADR an in-person side event focused on the Global Coalition on Oral Health – another major outcome of the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting. This side event will unite governments, WHO experts, UN agencies, civil society, and other key stakeholders including industry actors to discuss opportunities to advance oral health action nationally and globally, through the Global Coalition on Oral Health.

Will your country attend WHA78 this May? 

Kindly share this LINK with your country’s WHA78 delegation to promote participation: 
https://form.jotform.com/251003553457047