Dominican Republic to Preside Over 79th World Health Assembly for First Time
The Dominican Republic is set to assume the presidency of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) for the first time in its history, marking a significant milestone in its international public health leadership. Health Minister Víctor Atallah will travel to Geneva to lead the assembly, scheduled from May 18 to 23, 2026, at the Palais des Nations. In this role, Atallah will facilitate discussions among representatives from over 190 countries, aiming to build consensus on critical global health priorities such as health system strengthening, equity, emergency preparedness, mental health, and primary care. A central theme of the assembly will be obesity prevention and management, focusing on integrated and equitable approaches within health systems. This designation highlights growing international recognition of the Dominican Republic's contributions to global health cooperation. Following the WHA, Minister Atallah will proceed to Rome to participate in Nutrition Week 2026 at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters from May 25 to 28, where discussions will center on food policy, nutrition security, and sustainable diets.
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