India to assume presidency of WHA in Geneva after 18 years

After a gap of 19 years, India will again assume presidency of the 68th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the top decision-making body of the World Health Organisation, beginning Monday.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda will preside over the WHA session and lead a high-level Indian delegation to the Assembly, which is slated to take place in Geneva from May 18 to May 27.
"Health Minister J P Nadda will preside over the 68th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) at Geneva as India assumes the Presidency of the WHA, the high-decision making body of the WHO, after a gap of 19 years," an official statement said.

Nadda will also participate in a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the WHA including the Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meeting, 8th NAM Health Ministers' Meeting and BRICS Health Ministers' meeting.
The Union health minister is expected to hold separate bilateral meetings with a host of countries including China, the Netherlands, the US, the UK, Russia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil and others.
"The Assembly is expected to deliberate on key issues of global interest including anti-microbial resistance, air pollution and health, global health emergency...

"...Preparedness and surveillance, global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property, and research and development in neglected tropical diseases," the official statement said.

In his capacity as the president of the WHA, Nadda will also be hosting a reception for health ministers attending the Assembly on May 19.
Prior to the reception, Nadda and Director-General, WHO, Margaret Chan will jointly inaugurate a photo exhibition 'Yoga for All, Yoga for Health' to mark the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly declaring June 21 as the 'International Day of Yoga'.
"For India, this will act as an opportunity for two things. Share the development that has taken place in India with the world and try to put India's perspective in the global strategy while it will also help India to carry back the learnings," a senior Health Ministry official said PTI.