World Health Assembly in Geneva opened by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider
Geneva, 19.05.2025 — In her opening address to the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday, 19 May 2025, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider underlined the importance of a fully capable and sustainably financed WHO in combating the spread of international diseases and ensuring access to good-quality healthcare for all countries. In this context, the WHA will on Tuesday consider the Pandemic Agreement, now ready for adoption. The Federal Councillor will also take the opportunity offered by the WHA to hold bilateral talks with various health ministers.
The theme of this year’s WHA is ‘One World for Health’. As is customary, the opening address is given by the health minister of the host country: on this occasion, Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider emphasised both the central role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in a world shaped by crises and the importance of good-quality healthcare for all people.
Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider acknowledged the successes achieved by the WHO since its foundation in 1948 – for example, the eradication of smallpox – and highlighted its central expertise and coordinating role in global health. She also noted that the multilateral system is under pressure from current geopolitical tensions, also posing challenges for the WHO.
Against the background of ongoing crises and a significant reduction in the resources available, due to the withdrawal of the United States, it is vital that the WHO continues to implement the reforms introduced so as to retain its capacity for action. Switzerland supports a sustainably financed WHO with a clear focus on its core mandate – developing global standards and guidelines based on scientific evidence and assisting member states in applying these. Therefore Switzerland will maintain its voluntary contribution to the WHO until 2028 at a level comparable to that of recent years with an amount of approximately 66 million francs for the period 2025-2028. This year, from Switzerland’s viewpoint, the key topics are youth mental health, data access and the digital transformation of healthcare, and health personnel.
Pandemic Agreement
Among the items on the agenda for this year’s WHA, running from 19 to 27 May, is the Pandemic Agreement, which is to be considered on Tuesday. Negotiations on the text of the agreement were concluded in April, so it is now ready for adoption by the WHA. Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider sees this as an important sign of global collaboration and effective multilateralism. The accord aims to strengthen global capacity for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
With its adoption by the WHA, however, work on the agreement is not fully completed: an annex defining the details of a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system is still to be negotiated. These negotiations are expected to take one to two years. Only then will the agreement be submitted to member states for signature, with each state deciding, in a sovereign manner, whether to become a party. Should the Federal Council wish to ratify the agreement, it will be submitted to Parliament for approval.
Renovation of WHO Headquarters in Geneva
This spring, the WHO completed the renovation of its historic main building, which stands as a significant example of Swiss post-war architecture. Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will attend Monday evening's inauguration ceremony of the refurbished premises.
The works have brought the building up to current energy standards while providing staff and delegates with facilities that meet modern requirements. The renovation costs were borne in full by the WHO itself.
Switzerland on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization
Switzerland was elected to sit on the WHO Executive Board from May 2023 to May 2026. It had previously served from 1999 to 2002, and from 2011 to 2014. The Executive Board, comprising representatives of 34 member states, prepares resolutions to be considered by the World Health Assembly.
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the WHO. Each year, delegates meet in Geneva in May to determine thematic priorities, as well as organisational and financial policies.
Additional information: WHO