IANPHI Participation in the 78th World Health Assembly

IANPHI was present at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), which took place May 19 - 27, 2025, represented by Prof. Duncan Selbie, IANPHI President, Prof. Neil Squires, incoming Secretary General, and Sadaf Lynes, IANPHI Director of Collaborative Surveillance, Workforce and Health Emergencies.

This year's WHA was very successful, both for the public health world with the agreement of the Pandemic Treaty, but also for IANPHI, as the Association's representatives were able to meet with several colleagues, members and partners, in order to reinforce IANPHI's actions to support and strengthen NPHIs role in the health system and on the international scene.

Prof. Duncan Selbie met with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, for a walk-and-talk to reflect on the memorandum of understanding signed between IANPHI and the WHO in 2022, and the progress made in its implementation, particularly on collaborative surveillance, workforce development, emergency response and climate change.Prof. Duncan Selbie thanked Dr. Tedros for his constant support of NPHIs and for the work in common between IANPHI and the WHO, with several colleagues based in Geneva and abroad.

In recognition of the success demonstrated by partnerships such as that signed between IANPHI and WHO, IANPHI President, Duncan Selbie received the Sian Griffiths Global Public Health Award, of the UK Faculty of Public Health. This award was given in acknowledgement of the role of Duncan in support of IANPHI’s global engagement and partnerships.