The Seventy-eight World Health Assembly (WHA78) takes place on 19−27 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Elimination awards
During the plenary session on Monday, 19 May, the Director-General will award Botswana for achieving gold tier status on the path to elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem.
Botswana was already the first country in the world to meet the criteria for silver tier status on the path to elimination of HIV, in 2021. Now, Botswana is the first country to achieve gold tier status, by reaching stringent targets for HIV prevalence among new mothers, HIV incidence among newborns, and service coverage for antenatal care, HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy.
Official side events
Several official side events on HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs will take place during the WHA78. These events require access to the Palais de Nations and only accredited delegated can access. You can find more details in WHO's page dedicated to WHA78 official side events .
Date and time |
Event title and details |
Description |
Monday, 19 May 19:30–20:50 |
Getting the world back on track: Ending AIDS by 2030 still possible! Location: Palais des Nations - Room/Salle VIII Organizers: International AIDS Society (IAS), PATH, GNP+ |
The side-event will focus on the significant challenges facing the global HIV response, particularly in the light of recent funding cuts. It will explore how countries are addressing funding gaps and forging regional and national partnerships to sustain HIV programmes, while identifying innovative financing models. The discussion will focus on the consequences of the funding cuts, strategies for ensuring the continuity of HIV services and the importance of domestic resource mobilization to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. |
Wednesday, 21 May 18:00–19:20 |
Uniting in Global Solidarity for Hepatitis Elimination: Acting to Prevent Liver Cancer in Support of the NCD Agenda. Location: Palais des Nations - Room/Salle VII Organizers: Pakistan, Tanzania, Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, African Union, World Hepatitis Alliance, Medicines Patent Pool |
The integration of hepatitis vaccination, diagnostics and treatment within existing frameworks for UHC and PHC will advance progress toward the global goals of hepatitis elimination and cancer prevention. The WHA offers a critical opportunity to raise awareness and drive commitment to achieve the elimination of hepatitis and reduction of liver cancer globally. This platform can also provide a basis to launch a Coalition of Member States dedicated to raising the visibility of hepatitis and accelerating global efforts to eliminate it. |
Friday, 23 May 18:00–19:20 |
The contribution of selfcare to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. Location: Palais des Nations Room/Salle VIII Organizers: Belgium, Uruguay, Luxembourg, Global Network of People Living with HIV |
This side event will explore how self-care interventions are transforming the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) landscape, supporting primary health care (PHC) and advancing universal health coverage (UHC). Evidence-based self-care interventions for SRHR are recommended by WHO for all economic contexts. Self-care interventions offer practical, empowering solutions to overcome persistent barriers to advance quality SRHR for all. This side event will highlight the multidimensional benefits of self-care interventions through concrete examples, including impact at national level, and innovation. |
Non-official side events
A large number of non-official side events will take place during WHA78 in different venues across Geneva. These events are convened by a diverse range of partner organizations with the technical support from WHO Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs (HHS).
Date and time |
Event title and details |
Description |
Wednesday, 21 May 18:30–20:30 |
A new era of HIV prevention: Accelerating access to long-acting technologies through sustainable prevention systems and financing. Location: UNAIDS / WHO D building - Kofi Annan Room Organizers: UNAIDS (in collaboration with UNFPA, WHO and UNDP), the Federal Republic of Brazil and the Netherlands |
This high-level dialogue organized by the Global HIV Prevention Coalition (GPC) aims to galvanize political leadership, financing, and coordinated action to drive a transformational HIV prevention push. The meeting will serve as a platform for Ministers of Health, global health partners, pharmaceutical companies, and civil society to explore opportunities to expand access to new long-acting prevention technologies as a powerful addition to existing effective options. Virtual participation: Livestream on YouTube |
Thursday, 22 May 18:30–20:30 |
Communities at the heart of global health and health security: why sustained funding for community-led health systems matters now more than ever Location: UNAIDS / WHO D building - Kofi Annan Room Organizers: Coalition PLUS, Frontline AIDS, UNAIDS and WHO |
This high-level discussion will focus on the critical role that communities play in shaping global health and health security policies. In light of ongoing global health challenges, including pandemics, rising health inequities, funding cuts, and the increasing burden on health systems, it is now more important than ever to prioritize community-led health systems. Registration: |
Furthermore, throughout WHA78 week, the HHS Department will engage informally with Member States to provide an overview of the process for revising the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs (2022–2030) , and to discuss preparations for the mid-term review, which is scheduled to be presented at the World Health Assembly in 2026.
