WHA79 – WHO supports high-level dialogues on cancer, innovation, and equitable access

On the margins of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79), the World Health Organization (WHO) supported high-level engagements convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), reinforcing WHO’s role as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action on global health priorities.

Inaugural Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum – 16 May 2026

Held at WHO headquarters, the inaugural Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum brought together Ministers of Health, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and over 60 partner organisations from across the Commonwealth under the theme “Shaping the Future of Cancer Across the Commonwealth.”

Chaired by H.E. Leslie Ramsammy, former Minister of Health of Guyana and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations in Geneva, the Forum focused on practical approaches to cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care within the context of advancing universal health coverage and sustainable health financing.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care, emphasized the need for whole-of-government approaches to the active promotion of health and health systems that integrate cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care supported by strong integrated primary health care systems, evidence-based policies, and equitable access to quality health services.

The Forum was informed by the findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth, and featured the launch of a Compendium of Country Case Studies on Cervical Cancer Elimination and an Advocacy Toolkit designed to support First Ladies, Spouses, and Partners of Heads of Government in raising awareness and leading advocacy for cervical cancer elimination.

WHA79 Side Event: Sport, Physical Activity and Youth Mental Health – 20 May 2026

During a high-level side event organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry on “Unlocking the Power of Sport and Physical Activity for Youth Mental Health in the Commonwealth”, Dr Saia Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, said the Commonwealth offered a powerful platform to combine evidence, policy leadership and community action to ensure that sport and physical activity are not privileges for a few, but foundations for mental well-being for all.

He underscored that globally, almost 80% of adolescents do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, and called on the health, education, sport, transport, and urban planning sectors to work together to ensure that young people have safe and inclusive opportunities to be active.

Other panellists noted that with 60% of the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion people under 30, the intersection of sedentary lifestyles and declining mental health was one of the defining public health challenges of this generation.

Other speakers at the event included the Ministers of Health of Samoa and Mauritius, Sir Mo Farah, four-time Olympic gold medallist, the CEO of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, and a WHO Youth Council member.

28th edition of the Francophone Health Encounters – 17 May 2026

The 28th edition of the Francophone Health Encounters – organized by the OIF and the French pharmaceutical industry federation (LEEM) – brought together Ministers of Health, diplomats, researchers, pharmaceutical industry representatives, and members of civil society to examine the theme: “Global Innovation: The New Map of Health. When Geopolitical Shifts Disrupt Access to Innovation.”

WHO Chief Scientist Dr Sylvie Briand highlighted advances in artificial intelligence, mRNA technologies, and diagnostics, and emphasized that innovation alone is insufficient if access remains unequal. WHO’s work, she said, seeks to ensure that innovation is driven by public health needs through strengthened regional manufacturing, open science approaches, and stronger regulatory systems.

Dr Briand also drew attention to malaria prevention and elimination as a continuing priority for the francophone world, noting the disproportionate burden borne by West Africa and emphasizing the importance of political commitment, sustainable partnerships, and equitable access to innovation.

Other high-level speakers included the Minister of Health of Gabon, and the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage of Côte d’Ivoire, the President of the Africa Board at Merck, and the Director of Global Health Partnerships at Pfizer.

The discussion reinforced the need for resilient health systems, stronger national and regional capacities, sustainable financing, and more equitable access to health technologies. Participants highlighted the importance of investment in research, workforce development, regulatory systems and collaborative innovation ecosystems, particularly for low- and middle-income countries.