Devex: World Health Assembly kicks off with focus on health workers, universal coverage
“The 71st World Health Assembly kicked off Monday with the Ebola outbreak in DRC and support for universal health coverage in the spotlight…” (Chadwick/Ravelo, 5/21).

The Hill: HHS secretary to head U.S. delegation at World Health Assembly
“Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar will attend the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, as the head of U.S. delegation on Tuesday. Azar will deliver remarks on the the U.S. commitment to global health security, attend official events focused on key public health challenges, and participate in multiple bilateral meetings with health ministers and officials from other nations, according to HHS…” (Hellmann, 5/21).

Intellectual Property Watch: WHO Director Dr. Tedros Opens First Annual World Health Assembly With ‘Keys For Success’
“World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (‘Dr. Tedros’) in his first speech in his function as head of the World Health Assembly described three keys to reach the ambitious goals of the organization. He envisioned a transformed WHO helped by a strong leadership team, called for political commitment for which he said most country leaders are ready, and advocated partnerships with a number of international health actors, including the private sector…” (Saez, 5/21).

VOA News: WHO Chief Unveils an Ambitious Agenda to Promote Health for All
“…Tedros said [the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo] was only the latest of 50 emergencies in 47 countries and territories to which WHO has responded in the past year. He noted the best way to prevent future disease outbreaks and emergencies was to strengthen health systems everywhere…” (Schlein, 5/21).

Additional coverage of the World Health Assembly is available from Global Health NOW, U.N. News, VOA News, and Xinhua News.