Geneva: The Philippines has been nominated as the President of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, in May 2025. This nomination marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time the country will preside over the assembly since the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.
According to Philippines News Agency, the nomination came after the 75th Regional Committee Meeting of the WHO in the Western Pacific, where member states reached a consensus to nominate the Philippines. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa expressed gratitude and highlighted the recognition of Filipinos as bridge-builders in the international community. “Our nomination by the Western Pacific Member States as WHA78 President is a recognition of our collective contribution and leadership in international health,” Herbosa stated in a news release.
The WHA is the WHO’s highest decision-making body, attended by delegations from all 194 WHO member states, including 37 countries a
nd areas in the Western Pacific. It determines the organization’s policies, appoints the director-general, supervises financial policies, and reviews and approves the proposed program budget.
Officers of the WHA are formally elected by acclamation at the start of each session, following the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. The President plays a crucial role in overseeing the conduct of the WHA and guiding its critical discussions and decisions on global health policies and initiatives. The President may appoint five vice presidents to act in their place during meetings or parts thereof, with selection occurring by lot at the session where the election takes place.
Traditionally, a President is elected from each of the six WHO regions-Western Pacific, South East Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe, and Eastern Mediterranean-rotating annually. The Philippines, which hosts the WHO Regional Office in the Western Pacific, last saw a WHA President from its region in 2019, from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
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hrough its leadership in the WHA, the Philippines aims to emphasize the importance of resilient health systems and international cooperation amid global health challenges.