How do the health challenges experienced in local communities translate into decisions made at the highest level of global health governance? The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) was a WHA where member states adopted more than 20 decisions and 13 resolutions including on topics such as stroke, liver disease, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, haemophilia, precision medicine and radiation. And one where member states also approved the decision to begin consultations on WHO hosted, member-states led reforms process on the global health architecture.
Beeld: © IFMSA-NL / Anne Geijtenbeek
Youth delegate to the World Health Assembly of the Netherlands, Anne Geijtenbeek
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 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.
Bringing local experiences to the global stage
Over the past years, Anne Geijtenbeek has gained experience in a variety of global health settings. During clinical internships in South Africa, she witnessed how social inequalities and policy decisions directly affect health outcomes and access to care. While studying in Thailand, she explored topics such as human rights, human security and migration health, including through field visits to health facilities along the Myanmar border. In India, she collaborated with students from around the world on approaches to tuberculosis and HIV care. Currently, she is conducting thesis research with Training for Life, an organisation 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. Challenges encountered at the local level—from reproductive healthcare and migration health to infectious diseases and health system strengthening—were discussed on the global stage by representatives from all WHO Member States. “The Assembly demonstrated both the importance and the challenge of finding collective solutions that respond to diverse local realities while advancing global health for all,” Anne reflects.
The experience reinforced her conviction that global health requires stronger bottom-up approaches and meaningful community engagement. Sustainable solutions depend on ensuring that the voices and expertise of those most affected are not only heard, but actively integrated into decision-making processes. During her official statement, she emphasised this message: “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 community-led solutions that ensure SRHR.”
Health in an increasingly political landscape
One of the key observations during this year's Assembly was the growing influence of geopolitical realities on health discussions. Agenda items relating to Ukraine and Palestine highlighted how political tensions, funding constraints and competing interests continue to shape health decision-making. While there is broad recognition of urgent health needs in these contexts, translating this consensus into collective action remains challenging. The discussions underscored the complex relationship between health, diplomacy and international cooperation.
Advancing SRHR through global partnerships
Alongside the official negotiations, the World Health Assembly hosted numerous side events that brought together governments, civil society organisations, researchers and practitioners. One event that stood out 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 together with Rutgers, SheDecides, MSI Reproductive Choices and IPPF.
Discussions highlighted the importance of political leadership, collaboration between governments and civil society, and sustained investment in advancing women's health and rights. At a time when conflicts, misinformation, funding challenges and opposition to rights-based approaches threaten progress globally, participants emphasised the need for continued commitment to SRHR.
Climate change and health
Another impactful event focused on the Call for Action of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health. For young people in particular, climate change and health are increasingly inseparable priorities. The central message was clear: climate action cannot be postponed. Without decisive measures, climate change will continue to undermine health outcomes, exacerbate inequalities and disproportionately affect future generations. At the same time, climate policies offer opportunities to improve public health, reduce emissions and strengthen resilience. While many ministers expressed strong support and ambition, the challenge now lies in translating commitments into meaningful implementation.
Meaningful youth engagement
Beyond attending sessions, Anne spent much of the week at the Youth Booth, an initiative led by youth delegates and WHO youth councils from around the world. The booth served as a platform for dialogue with policymakers, government representatives and ministers on meaningful youth engagement in global health governance.
Current representation remains limited: only 23 of the 196 WHO Member States have an official Youth Delegate. In some contexts, young people are invited to participate but have little opportunity to independently represent youth perspectives. “This experience showed once again that presence is not the same as participation,” Anne notes.
“Meaningful youth engagement requires more than symbolic inclusion. It involves providing young people with the knowledge, resources, environment and decision-making power necessary to contribute effectively. In a world where more than half of the population is under the age of 30, meaningful representation is essential for creating inclusive and future-oriented policies.”
Advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights
A key moment during the Assembly was the opportunity to deliver an official statement advocating 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.” Against the backdrop of the United States’ withdrawal from the WHO, the expansion of the Global Gag Rule and significant reductions in international health funding, the importance of maintaining attention for SRHR was repeatedly highlighted throughout the week.
Drawing on her experiences as a future physician and young woman, Anne reflected on how health policies directly affect people's lives and opportunities. “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.
Looking ahead
The World Health Assembly demonstrated how local experiences, community perspectives and youth voices can contribute to global discussions on health. At the same time, it highlighted the ongoing challenges of translating shared ambitions into action amid complex political and financial realities. For Anne, the experience reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that those most affected by health policies are represented in the conversations that shape them. And that young people are empowered to contribute meaningfully to the future of global health.