REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

OFFICIAL WHA SIDE EVENT 2026 
From Global Strategy to Country Impact:  
Scaling Emergency, Critical and Operative Care  
Join Ministers of Health, WHO leadership, and global partners to discuss how countries are translating the ECO resolution (WHA76.2) and draft Global Strategy on Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative care into implementation and impact.
πŸ“… Date & Time: Tuesday, 18 May 2026 | 18:00–19:30 

πŸ“ Venue: Executive Boardroom, WHO Headquarters, Geneva

πŸ”— Format: In-person and live stream participation available
Featuring leaders from

Ministers of Health β€’ WHO leadership β€’ AFEM β€’ WFSA β€’ World Bank β€’ IFMSA β€’ ICN β€’ WHO Acute Care Action Network partners 
Representing the full continuum of Emergency, Critical and Operative Care β€” from emergency response to recovery and rehabilitation.
Community & emergency care
Operative care
Critical care
Rehabilitation
Register for Participation 





*Yes => Your organization may have WHA badges available. We encourage you to check internally if you are able to use one of these.
Please note:  

In-person participation is limited and requires a WHA badge. We warmly encourage participants who already have a valid WHA badge to join us in person. 

For those without a WHA badge, a limited number of additional badges are available. We kindly invite you to register your interest, and will confirm in-person participation based on availability. Final confirmations will be shared closer to the event. 

Virtual participation is available for all registered participants. 
Why attend?  

🌍 From Resolution to Action 
Learn how WHA76.2 is moving into implementation across countries and partners;

πŸš‘ Scaling Programs That Save Lives 
Explore initiatives strengthening acute care systems through workforce development, Basic Emergency Care, safer anaesthesia, sepsis care, and maternal and newborn health;

🀝 Engage with Global Leaders 
Connect with ministers, WHO leadership, donors, implementation partners, and members of the WHO Acute Care Action Network. 

πŸ“ˆ Financing and Investment
Discuss opportunities to strengthen emergency, critical and operative care systems at scale.  
Programme overview
18:00 β€” Welcome and Opening Remarks 
Minister of Health, Ethiopia 

18:10 β€” From Resolution to Strategy 
Strengthening ECO care as a global priority 

Featuring
 
  • Mohamed Yakub Janabi β€” Regional Director for Africa, WHO 
  • Minister of Health (country TBC) 
  • Amanda Fehn β€” WHO 
  • Ole Frithjof Norheim β€” University of Bergen 

18:30 β€” Operationalizing ECO Care at Scale 
Scaling implementation and country impact 

Featuring 

  • Joe Bonney β€” President, AFEM 
  • Lee Wallis β€” WHO 
  • Usman Mushtaq β€” Secretary of State for Health, Norway 
  • IFMSA 
  • MWIA 
  • Carolina Haylock Loor β€” President, WFSA 
  • World Bank 

19:00 β€” Panel: From Resolution to Action 

Featuring 

  • Ministers of Health and senior government officials 
  • Tore LΓ¦rdal β€” Laerdal Foundation 

19:15 β€” Open Discussion and Q&A 

19:25 β€” Closing and Call to Action 

19:30–20:30 β€” Networking Reception  

Side Event co-organizers:
Side Event sponsors: