Maldives Joins Global Leaders at 79th World Health Assembly to Strengthen Healthcare

A high-level delegation from the Maldives has arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the 79th World Health Assembly. Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the assembly serves as the premier global decision-making body for public health, bringing together representatives from over 194 member states from May 18 to 23. The Maldivian delegation is led by Geela Ali, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, and includes senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Permanent Mission in Geneva. The delegation's primary objective is to collaborate on international strategies to improve healthcare delivery and resilience. The agenda for this session focuses on several critical priorities, including the strengthening of health systems and the expansion of universal health coverage. Leaders will discuss emergency preparedness to better manage future global health crises, the improvement of primary healthcare services, and the ongoing battle against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to the Health Ministry, the assembly will feature pivotal policy discussions on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and the standardization of health data. The delegation will also engage with updates to the Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing threat to global health security. Further discussions will address the intersection of climate change and public health, the enhancement of maternal and child nutrition systems, and the urgent need for improved mental health services. A key highlight of the event will be the presentation of the intergovernmental working group’s report on the Pandemic Agreement, which aims to establish a coordinated global emergency response strategy. Beyond the general assembly sessions, the Maldivian delegation is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings. These diplomatic discussions aim to forge new partnerships and secure international support and cooperation to enhance the health sector across the Maldives' atolls.