How WHO is shaping global health and human rights at the 151st IPU Assembly through parliamentary power

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by WHO, click this post to read the original article.

At the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized your role as a parliamentarian in shaping equitable health systems and protecting humanitarian principles. Over 600 parliamentarians from 132 countries joined the event, where WHO collaborated with global partners to prioritize health equity and promote resilient systems that uphold the rights of all. A notable milestone was the first meeting of the IPU Committee on Health, created to tackle inequalities and discrimination in healthcare access.

One key focus was aligning sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) policies with real-life experiences. WHO’s Dr. Pascale Allotey, along with UNFPA and other partners, stressed using evidence—not just knowing it—to shape effective legislation. Discussions covered adolescent health, safe abortion, early pregnancy prevention, and integrating SRHR into universal health coverage. The Committee recognized SRHR as a core priority for future parliamentary work.

You also heard about the global challenge of food insecurity in a session co-hosted by WHO and others. WHO presented data showing the urgency to meet the 2030 Global Nutrition Targets. You were encouraged to support regulations like food fortification and sugary drink taxes. This session served as groundwork for the upcoming 2026 Global Parliamentary Summit in South Africa.

The General Debate centered on upholding humanitarian norms during crises. WHO reminded you that health systems and workers often suffer first in emergencies and urged you to safeguard health services, combat misinformation, and fund resilient systems. These themes were reinforced in the Geneva Declaration, adopted to prioritize the protection of medical infrastructure and personnel during conflicts.

Youth also shared their voice, with WHO Youth Council member Jingxin Xiao calling on you to elevate youth roles in health and humanitarian responses. The event concluded with renewed discussions on tobacco control through a WHO side session, urging stronger parliamentary action to curb tobacco use and industry interference. WHO reaffirmed its commitment to working with you and the IPU, inviting ongoing dialogue at the next World Health Assembly in 2026.