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Summary of WHO’s Activities at the 151st IPU Assembly
This document details WHO’s significant engagement at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly. Here’s a breakdown of key activities and takeaways:
1. Addressing Malnutrition:
* WHO highlighted the urgent need for accelerated action to meet the 2030 Global Nutrition Targets, despite some progress.
* Ms. Engesveen outlined regulatory interventions parliamentarians can champion: food fortification, public food procurement policies, restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, and sugary drink taxation.
* The workshop emphasized the importance of translating global commitments into national laws and budgetary priorities.
* The event served as a precursor to the Third Global Parliamentary Summit against Hunger and malnutrition in 2026.
2. Humanitarian Action & Health in Crises:
* The General Debate focused on upholding humanitarian norms during conflicts, displacement, and emergencies.
* WHO stressed that health is often the first casualty in crises and urged parliamentarians to protect health workers/facilities, combat misinformation, and secure sustainable health system financing.
* The Geneva Declaration, adopted at the debate, reaffirmed the protection of healthcare infrastructure and personnel.
3.Youth Leadership & Engagement:
* A WHO Youth Council representative (Jingxin Xiao) emphasized the crucial role of young people as actors in humanitarian and health responses, not just beneficiaries.
* She called for strengthened youth participation in decision-making, integration of health/climate/digital literacy in education, and protection of youth mental health in humanitarian settings.
* The WHO Youth Council aims to collaborate with the IPU Forum of Young Parliamentarians.
4. Tobacco Control:
* A side event convened by the WHO FCTC Secretariat focused on strengthening parliamentary engagement in tobacco control.
* Participants discussed advancing tobacco control legislation, increasing taxes on tobacco, and protecting public health policies from industry interference.
* The event highlighted the need for continued collaboration and WHO technical support.
5. Strengthening WHO-IPU Collaboration:
* WHO’s active participation reaffirmed its strong partnership with the IPU.
* WHO invited parliamentarians to continue the dialog at the next World health Assembly, where they will co-host the annual Global Parliamentary Forum in May 2026.
* Over 50 WHO colleagues participated throughout the week, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to engaging with parliamentarians.
WHO used the IPU Assembly as a platform to advocate for key health priorities, engage with parliamentarians globally, and strengthen collaborative partnerships to achieve better health outcomes.
