Reflections on the 79th World Health Assembly: from local realities to global decision-making

Bridging the gap to the Global South

The Kingdom of the Netherlands (KNL) was represented by both the Dutch Minister of Health, Ms. Sophie Hermans and Mr. Tyron Boekhoudt, Minister of Health from Curaçao. Both of whom were able to strengthen the KNL-profile on key topics thanks to an active role. The Kingdom was also able to bridge the gap to the Global South by being active on subjects that are particularly important to this group of partner countries (local and regional vaccine production, climate and health, global health financing).

Pressure on the global health system

WHA79 took place amidst virus outbreaks and looming epidemics, including an Ebola variant for which no vaccine yet exists and the Hantavirus, which attracted significant WHO and media attention. Meanwhile, shrinking global funding and an increasingly fragmented geopolitical space are putting further pressure on the global health system. The politicisation of the previously fairly technical WHA became clearly apparent. Consequently, the consensus oriented WHO was put to the test once again, with 11 votes, just like last year.

Experiencing the WHA

The KNL delegation consisted of representatives from the MoH and MFA from the Netherlands and from Curaçao. And as standing practice also a youth representative was part of the KNL-team. Dutch Youth Delegate for Global Health Anne Geijtenbeek witnessed firsthand how issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), migration health, climate change and health systems strengthening are debated by representatives of all 193 WHO member states. Drawing on experiences from South Africa, Thailand, India and Uganda, she reflects below on a week where local realities and global decision-making came together.

Letter from Anne Geijtenbeek

Hello Global Health Hub, 

Over the past years, I have gained experience in a variety of global health settings. During clinical internships in public hospitals in South Africa, I witnessed how social inequalities and policies shape health outcomes and access to care for individuals in the consultation room. While studying in Bangkok, I explored topics such as human rights, human security, and migration health, including a visit to a health clinic at the Myanmar border. In India, I collaborated with students from around the world to examine approaches to tuberculosis and HIV care. Currently, I am writing my thesis with Training for Life, an NGO working to strengthen emergency obstetric care in Uganda.

Attending the World Health Assembly as the Dutch Youth Delegate for Global Health brought many of these experiences together. The challenges I had encountered at the local level, from access to reproductive healthcare and migration health to infectious diseases and health system strengthening, were discussed on the global stage by representatives of all 193 WHO Member States. It was inspiring to see how local realities shape international health priorities, while I also saw the complexity of global decision-making. Although countries often share common health goals, the realities they face differ greatly due to variations in resources, political contexts, healthcare systems and social circumstances. The Assembly demonstrated both the importance and the challenge of finding collective solutions that are responsive to diverse local needs while advancing global health for all. 

This experience also reinforced my belief in the importance of more bottom-up approaches in global health, with stronger empowerment of local communities. Sustainable and effective solutions require that the voices and expertise of those directly affected are not only heard, but meaningfully integrated into decision-making processes. This was something that I also highlighted in my statement: 

‘’I want to amplify the voices that are overlooked, silenced and denied respect voices that I am missing on this stage.’’

‘’I urge all nations to build equitable systems with communities-led solutions that ensure SRHR.’’

What also struck me during this WHA was the extent to which health is increasingly influenced by political realities. I strongly believe that health should be a universal right and a shared global responsibility, discussions around agenda items such as Ukraine and Palestine demonstrated how geopolitical tensions, funding shortages and competing interests continue to shape health decision-making. Although there is broad recognition of the urgent health needs in these contexts, translating this into collective action often remains a challenge which is problematic in my opinion.

Next to the many official meetings I attended, I also joined side events where different experts and stakeholders within global health came together to discuss a specific topic in global health. One of the side events I attended was ‘’From Rights to Reality: Strengthening health outcomes and systems through safe abortion care in West and Central Africa’’, co-hosted by the governments of the Netherlands and Benin, alongside Rutgers, SheDecides, MSI Reproductive Choices, and IPPF. The discussions highlighted how political leadership, collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, and civil society, and sustained investment are essential to advancing women's health and rights. At a time when conflicts, misinformation, funding challenges and growing opposition to rights-based approaches threaten progress globally, the importance of strong leadership from countries in the region and continued international commitment to SRHR is essential.

Another event that left an impression was the Call for Action for the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health. As a member of the younger generation, I see climate change and health as inseparable global health priorities. The central message was clear: despite overlapping crises and shifting political priorities, climate action cannot be postponed. Without decisive action, climate change will continue to undermine health, deepen inequalities and affect future generations. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to implement policies that improve health outcomes, reduce emissions, and strengthen resilience. At the event, many ministers expressed alignment and a strong willingness to take action. I am curious to see how these commitments will be translated into concrete, meaningful implementation as this has been missing in the past.

Beyond attending sessions, I spent much of the week at the Youth Booth, an initiative led by youth delegates from across the world and WHO youth councils. Through the Youth Booth, I spoke with officials and ministers about meaningful youth engagement. The numbers are striking: only 23 of 196 member states have a Youth Delegate. In some cases, young people are invited to speak but are expected to deliver pre-written statements, leaving little room for genuine representation. This once again showed how presence is not the same as participation. I believe that genuinely including young perspectives makes policy more creative, more effective, more inclusive and more just. It requires giving young people the knowledge, right environment, power, and resources to actually contribute. In a world where more than half the population is under 30, that representation is not optional, it is essential.

Lastly, I had the privilege of delivering a statement. A special moment, in which I advocated for sexual and reproductive health and rights. ‘’I call for action on behalf of the 164 million women with unmet family planning needs and the 25 million women who undergo unsafe abortion each year.’’ With the US withdrawal from the WHO, the expansion of the Global Gag Rule (which prohibits foreign NGOs from providing abortion care if they receive US health funding) and the massive cuts to international health funding, this was a topic that could not go unaddressed on this global stage. This is also something that touched me personally as a future physician and young woman. In different parts of the world, I have seen in the consulting room how health policy plays out in the lives of individuals. The stories of the people I met there were ones I wanted to bring into that room, yet I also acknowledge that having this opportunity is a privilege because the floor should have been theirs.

‘’I want to amplify the voices that are overlooked, silenced or denied respect, voices that I am missing on this stage.’’

‘’The girl should have had a right to choose, she did not and so do millions like her. Since I met her, I have a new dream. A world where everyone regardless of race, nationality, socio-economic status, gender or identity has full access to SRHR. This dream can and must become reality.’’ 

Watch Anne’s full statement on her LinkedIn page.