Cochrane at the 78th World Health Assembly
Cochrane recently participated in the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), the world’s foremost global health policy event. Wrapping up this year, we're reflecting on a week of historic milestones and inspiring dialogue in a time where evidence and collaboration matter more than ever.
Held at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, the Health Assembly is the decision-making body for the World Health Organization (WHO), attended by representatives of all Member States, as well as NGOs and funding organizations. It is a key forum to advocate for evidence-informed health policies.
A historic resolution for evidence-based decision-makingThis World Health Assembly marked the historic adoption of the resolution on strengthening national capacities in evidence-based decision-making for the uptake and impact of norms and standards. The resolution calls for the recognition of the value of high-quality synthesized evidence and the importance of supporting local priorities and foster strong leadership that’s based on science, evidence, and is human-centred.
To support the adoption of the resolution, Karla Soares-Weiser, Cochrane’s Acting CEO, was invited to speak at a high-level panel discussion hosted by Ethiopia, China, Norway, the Wellcome Trust and the Gates Foundation.
The event began with opening remarks from Director-General, WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Chief Scientist, WHO, Sir Jeremy Farrar, as well as Norway’s State Secretary for Health and diplomats from China and Ethiopia. This was followed by a panel discussion on what is needed to turn global evidence into local action for real-world impact.
Through our official relations status with WHO, we were given the privilege of making a statement at the Health Assembly in front of an audience of Member States and policymakers from across the world. We highlighted the importance of the resolution and affirmed our commitment to supporting colleagues at WHO, Member States, and stakeholders in the implementation of the resolution.
Engagement with our partnersTo commemorate the occasion, Cochrane partnered with Devex to co-host the Devex Nightcap, and annual event where funders, implementers and journalists are invited to share a drink and discuss what is happening behind the scenes and what their priorities are. We used this opportunity to demonstrate Cochrane’s leadership in Global Health and had many informal conversations with key figures including Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General, WHO.
As part of Cochrane Rehabilitation’s involvement with the World Rehabilitation Alliance — a WHO global network of stakeholders whose mission is to support the implementation of the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative through advocacy activities — we engaged in multiple activities to demonstrate the role of rehabilitation as an essential health service that is integral to Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. This included participating in a high-level side event hosted by the World Rehabilitation Alliance and Humanity and Inclusion and making a statement on the importance of including rehabilitation in non-communicable disease frameworks in front of Member States and policymakers.
A new WHO action plan on climate change and health was also approved during the Health Assembly, marking an important step forward in global health and climate policy. The draft Global action plan 2025–2028 acknowledged the urgent need to address the health impacts of climate change, positioning health systems as part of the climate solution. Cochrane Planetary Health provided vital input drafting Cochrane’s statement on the importance of creating innovative methods for climate and health research, as well as and implementing evidence-based approaches.
Get involvedIf you would like to find out more about the resolution on evidence-based decision-making and how you can get involved, please get in touch with Mariam Salman, Advocacy Lead (msalman@cochrane.org). If you would like to find out more about our partnership with Devex during the World Health Assembly, please get in touch with Claudia Llado, Business Development Lead (cllado@cochrane.org).
Monday, June 2, 2025