The World Health Assembly convened its 78th session (WHA78) from 19 to 27 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “One World for Health.”

Participants at WHA78 included World Health Organization (WHO) Member States, WHO leadership, non-state actors in official relations such as FDI and IADR, United Nations agencies, and other key global health partners. FDI`s delegation included its President, Dr Greg Chadwick. Over eight days, the meeting participants addressed 75 agenda items and sub-items.

Despite mounting threats to global health and international cooperation, WHA78 concluded on a constructive note, with several remarkable global agreements to advance health equity and health systems resilience worldwide.

Governments adopt the world’s first pandemic agreement

WHO Member States formally adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement by consensus at WHA78. This marks a historic step towards a safer, more equitable response to future health emergencies. The agreement was developed through three years of intense negotiations triggered by the inequities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to boost international collaboration, improve response mechanisms, and ensure fair access to tools and resources during future health emergencies.

More landmark WHA78 outcomes

WHA78 concluded with several historic decisions that will shape global health for years to come, including:

• Approval of a 20% increase in assessed contributions to ensure sustainable WHO financing. Assessed contribution is the mandatory membership fee paid by governments to the WHO. It varies per country, and is calculated based on each country`s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Endorsement of a new resolution on global health financing and the first-ever resolutions on lung and kidney health.
• Agreement on a bold new target to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 50% by the year 2040.
• Adoption of a resolution to tackle the global health financing emergency.
• Launch of two WHO global campaigns: November 17 is now recognized as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and World Prematurity Day.

Amplified advocacy through strategic collaborations

FDI contributed to a range of critical agenda items through statements.

Through a statement on agenda item 13.1: Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), FDI called attention to the global burden of oral diseases and the urgent need to address oral conditions along with other NCDs at this year`s 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being (HLM4). Over 20 Member States addressed oral health in their statements on this agenda item, demonstrating a growing recognition for the importance of integrating oral health into national NCD programmes and policies. 

FDI`s statement on agenda item 13.3: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) addressed integrating oral health services into national UHC benefit packages, emphasizing that oral care must be accessible, affordable, and available to all.

Similarly, during the debates on agenda item 15: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), FDI, through a statement, stressed the role of dentists in antibiotic stewardship and called for their involvement in developing and implementing national AMR action plans.

FDI`s statement on the agenda item 24.2: maternal, infant and young child nutrition focused on integrating oral health benefits within global monitoring frameworks for healthy nutrition.

FDI also contributed to a statement co-developed with the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) on agenda item 16.1: Strengthening the global architecture for health emergency prevention, preparedness, response and resilience. 

Another statement co-developed with the NCD Alliance on agenda Item 14 - Health in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development highlighted the interlinking nature of global health agendas and sustainable development goals and called on governments to address the risk factors for oral diseases and other NCDs.

FDI advocates for oral health through key side events at WHA78

FDI participated in multiple side events during WHA78, underscoring its leadership in global oral health advocacy.

In collaboration with WHPA, FDI co-organized a high-level session on the importance of investing in the health workforce, emphasizing the role of the health workforce in the achievement of global health goals.

FDI also participated as a speaker in a High-Level side event hosted by the Government of Malaysia focused on the upcoming HLM4, reinforcing the essential role of oral health in the broader NCD agenda. 

Together with the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR), FDI co-hosted a session spotlighting the Global Coalition on Oral Health, a key outcome of the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting. This event served as a platform to mobilize multisectoral support and sustained action for oral health.

Additionally, FDI joined a dynamic conversation co-hosted by Devex and Haleon on scaling up oral health strategies for NCD prevention, sharing insights on practical solutions and community-level action.

All eyes on HLM4

In the lead-up to WHA78, FDI and IADR jointly launched a powerful advocacy document titled "No Health without Oral Health." This publication outlines key recommendations for governments on how to address oral health at HLM4 and calls for oral health to be recognized as an essential component of the global NCD agenda.

The release of this joint statement came at a critical moment, coinciding with the publication of the zero draft of the HLM4 political declaration. Disappointingly, the draft made no reference to oral health, the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting, or the landmark Bangkok Declaration on Oral Health.

In response, FDI and IADR mobilized rapidly. During WHA78, Member States that have been long-time champions of the global oral health agenda were urged to raise this omission in their official statements. FDI also activated its leadership network, encouraging direct outreach to Ministries of Health to advocate for the inclusion of oral health. Simultaneously, FDI provided National Dental Associations (NDAs) with targeted advocacy materials to support their efforts in influencing national positions.

These concerted actions yielded immediate results. Several Member States explicitly addressed oral health during WHA78. Additionally, the latest draft of the HLM4 political declaration now includes references to oral health, the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting, and the Bangkok Declaration on Oral Health, its outcome document.

This progress marks a critical step forward in securing the rightful place of oral health within the global NCD agenda and reinforces the importance of unified advocacy to drive policy change at the highest levels.

Next steps

FDI remains committed to advancing oral health on the global agenda and ensuring that oral care is recognized as a fundamental human right and a core driver of overall health and well-being. Our active engagement at WHA78 reflects our determination to work with WHO, Member States, and other global health partners to secure a future where oral health for all is a reality.

FDI is collaborating with government allies to ensure strong reference to oral health at HLM4 for sustained international collaboration to address this global health challenge.

HLM4 presents a powerful opportunity to ensure oral health is recognized as an integral part of the NCD response worldwide. FDI’s participation in HLM4 is critical to safeguard and strengthen advocacy wins and to ensure that the voice of oral health is heard in negotiations, side events, and civil society engagements, contributing to a more inclusive and comprehensive NCD response.