Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider opens World Health Assembly
Bern, 18.05.2026 — Opening this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) on 18 May in Geneva, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider underscored the importance of a sustainably funded World Health Organization (WHO). The organisation must be capable of tackling the global health challenges. The Federal Councillor also reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to multilateralism and to Geneva’s role as a centre of global health. On the sidelines of the Assembly, Switzerland hosted a side event on trusted health data in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
This year’s Assembly is held under the theme ‘"Redefining global health: a shared responsibility"’. As is customary, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider delivered the opening address in her capacity as health minister of the host state. She paid tribute to WHO staff for maintaining the organisation’s core functions in a demanding environment, despite a significantly reduced budget and a much smaller workforce. She also pointed to the key role of WHO as a regulatory, technical and coordinating body for global health. A role that the organisation plays to the full when faced with challenges as diverse as the hantavirus and the Ebola virus.
Trusted health data in the age of AI
On the opening day, Switzerland co-hosted an official side event on the topic of ‘Trusted Data in the age of AI for effective health policy making’ in collaboration with Canada and Peru. The event focused on the importance of trusted official health data, adressing misinformation and disinformation in the health sector, and the growing influence of AI on data discoverability and interoperability. High-quality and reliable health data is essential to evidence-based health policy. With this initiative, Switzerland is positioning Geneva as a global centre for trusted health data.
Health policy priorities of the WHA 2026
Switzerland’s priorities at this year’s WHA – which runs until 23 May – include strengthening mental health policy, combating antimicrobial resistance, and advancing digitalisation in healthcare.
Another focus area is WHO’s work on health crisis preparedness and response, including the negotiations on an annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. This is intended to establish a mechanism aimed at regulating, at the international level, rapid access for all countries to pathogens with pandemic potential and the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use — particularly with regard to research and the development of vaccines and medicines.
As Member States have yet to reach agreement on the text of the annex, they have decided to extend the negotiations by a year. While the Pandemic Agreement was already adopted a year ago, a conclusive negotiation outcome cannot be presented to the World Health Assembly until this annex has also been adopted.
Switzerland on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization
Switzerland concludes its three-year term on the WHO Executive Board at this Assembly. The Board comprises 34 Member States and prepares the decisions and resolutions for consideration by the World Health Assembly.
The World Health Assembly is the highest decision-making body of WHO. It sets the organisation’s strategic, programmatic and financial direction and convenes every May in Geneva.