On 18 and 19 May, the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) is being held. There are a number of hot issues on the agenda, including participation of Taiwan as an observer and a probe into the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), which determines the policies of WHO, appoints the Director-General, supervises financial policies, and reviews and approves the proposed programme budget.
The event is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland,
and attended by delegations from 194 WHO member states to discuss a wide range
of health topics. This year, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the
assembly is meeting virtually for the first time ever, and its agenda
has been reduced to fit into two days, with the COVID-19 pandemic being the
main issue.
Over 100 countries, including all European Union member
states, are backing a resolution calling for an independent investigation into
the coronavirus pandemic. The resolution has been initiated by Australia and
attracted a strongly negative
reaction from China. The WHA will consider a motion,
drafted by the EU, calling for an ‘impartial, independent and comprehensive
evaluation" of the "international health response to COVID-19.’
Aside from the pandemic, WHO officials are also expected to
raise the question of Taiwan's
participation as an observer at the WHA – a move that is also expected to
anger China.
During the meeting, WHA will also elect a president and five
vice-presidents of the WHA for the next year.
Additional information and live streaming of the event are
available here.
