Civil Society Deepens Its Role in Shaping Global Health Policy at WHA78
At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), held under the unifying theme “One World for Health,” a pivotal shift in the dynamics of global health governance was unmistakably evident. As delegates from World Health Organization (WHO) Member States and key stakeholders converged to tackle urgent public health challenges—including the Pandemic Agreement, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate-induced health risks, and the escalating burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—one group stood out for its increased visibility and influence: civil society.
The event marked a turning point for civil society’s formal inclusion in global health decision-making, a movement that has been gradually gaining momentum but found new institutional strength at WHA78. Taina Nakari, WHO’s lead for civil society engagement, underscored this evolution by stating, “Civil society is not only identifying critical challenges—it is contributing actionable, community-informed solutions. This is central to building trust and delivering results that meet the needs of populations.”
Institutionalizing Inclusion: The WHO Civil Society Commission
At the heart of this transformation is the WHO Civil Society Commission—an initiative created to institutionalize the participation of non-State actors in the mechanisms of global health governance. With a membership base exceeding 400 organizations and individuals, the Commission acts as both a forum and a policy engine, enabling civil society to collaborate, contribute, and coordinate.
“We’ve built a space where civil society can speak with one voice while honouring our diversity,” said Lisa Hilmi, Co-Chair of the Commission and Executive Director of the CORE Group. Ravi Ram, fellow Co-Chair and Director of Research and Evaluation at Medwise Solutions, emphasized the Commission’s deeper mission: “We’re not just advising WHO. We’re helping shape the way civil society engages in global health governance.”
This co-creative platform is designed to go beyond traditional advisory roles. It invites civil society actors to participate from the earliest stages of WHO’s policy development processes, ensuring their perspectives are integrated—not appended—into resolutions and frameworks that ultimately influence global health outcomes.
Expanding Civil Society’s Footprint at WHA78
Beyond the Commission itself, WHO enabled an unprecedented level of engagement at WHA78 from non-State actors. Over 60 civil society organizations—including international NGOs, research foundations, professional associations, and advocacy networks—delivered more than 200 formal statements to Member States. These submissions spanned a wide range of health issues, from equitable vaccine access to financing for resilient health systems.
In addition to official interventions, WHA78 also hosted nearly 50 side events, many of which were co-organized by civil society groups. These events served as vital forums for coalition-building, knowledge exchange, and direct advocacy with policymakers.
One of the most impactful was the high-level side event, “Securing Investments in Global Health: Time for a New Approach,” co-hosted by Save the Children, Medicus Mundi, World Vision, and the Government of Germany. The event centered on a critical theme: rethinking the financial architecture of global health.
Speakers challenged the traditional model of development assistance and advocated for four transformative shifts:
- Moving beyond outdated aid structures that perpetuate donor-recipient hierarchies;
- Strengthening domestic financing mechanisms to increase health system sustainability;
- Leveraging cross-sector partnerships and innovations to improve outcomes;
- Reaffirming global solidarity, particularly in an era where multilateralism is facing headwinds.
Tara Brace-John, Head of Policy, Advocacy, and Research at Save the Children Fund, succinctly framed the issue: “Sustainable financing for health is not only a technical necessity—it’s a matter of equity, accountability, and long-term impact. Civil society brings grounded perspectives that can help policymakers design solutions that prioritize health systems and deliver for the people who need them most.”
Supporting Parliamentary Action: A Strategic Report for Legislative Leaders
Another key moment for civil society at WHA78 came during the second Global Parliamentary Dialogue, a session convening legislators from around the world to explore how parliamentary systems can better support inclusive health governance.
During this session, the WHO Civil Society Commission launched its flagship report, “Civil Society Engagement in the Development of World Health Assembly Resolutions.” This comprehensive document offers a practical roadmap for policymakers to meaningfully involve civil society in the life cycle of a WHA resolution—from conceptualization and drafting to negotiation and adoption.
Kjeld Steenbjerg Hansen, Past-Chair of the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and a member of the Commission, described the report’s significance: “This report is the result of extensive consultation and shared learning across regions. It provides Member States with practical tools to engage civil society from the beginning and systematically throughout the resolution—while also emphasizing the political value of more inclusive and participatory policy-making.”
Parliamentarians were urged to use the report as a strategic tool within their national and regional platforms, further embedding civil society voices into public health law and policy. The report’s release marked a concrete step toward demystifying how resolutions are formed and offering clear guidance on integrating grassroots input at every stage.
Civil Society Engagement Beyond WHA78
While the spotlight at WHA78 was important, civil society’s engagement with WHO is not limited to flagship events or high-profile sessions. Throughout the year, civil society actors are increasingly embedded in WHO’s ongoing technical briefings and operational networks.
In May 2025, more than 500 civil society participants joined a WHO–EPI-WIN (Epidemic and Pandemic Intelligence – Information Network) technical briefing focused on avian influenza. This session, which covered real-time risk updates and WHO’s preparedness strategy, also explored the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in emergency response efforts. By convening actors outside of formal state channels, WHO is promoting a two-way flow of information that enhances trust, preparedness, and impact.
In addition to this, civil society was actively involved in several other high-stakes technical briefings, including:
- The Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR);
- Global strategies for antimicrobial resistance (AMR);
- The Interim Medical Countermeasures Platform, designed to rapidly scale medical responses during crises;
- The WHO Investment Round, which focuses on sustainable funding models for global health priorities;
- Dialogues on access to safe, effective, and quality-assured health products.
These initiatives reflect WHO’s broader commitment to making civil society a core component of global health architecture—not as peripheral observers, but as strategic actors.
A More Responsive and Inclusive Health Governance Model
What became evident at WHA78—and through ongoing engagement throughout the year—is that civil society is not merely being heard; it is helping to shape the priorities, language, and execution of international health policies. Whether through structured mechanisms like the WHO Civil Society Commission or more fluid platforms like technical briefings and side events, civil society is now seen as an essential partner in health governance.
This integration is not just procedural—it’s transformational. As civil society brings lived experience, community-grounded solutions, and moral clarity to the policymaking table, it ensures that health decisions are not only technically sound but socially just and people-centered.
The continued evolution of this relationship between WHO, Member States, and civil society marks a fundamental shift toward a more inclusive, responsive, and effective global health system—one where no voice is too small to influence the world’s most pressing health decisions.
