Attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) for the first time was both exciting and intimidating. I arrived in Geneva with two clear missions: absorb as much information as possible and meet as many people as possible. Luckily, I had colleague Rachel Hammonds as my unofficial WHA mentor: part survival coach, part insider guide, and part private tour guide around WHO headquarters and Geneva.

Stepping into Geneva, you could immediately feel the atmosphere. Delegates from all over the world, moving between venues in formal attire, gathered with a shared ambition: tackling global health challenges. There was energy, (some) optimism, and no shortage of discussions about the future of global health governance, with the Ghana delegation visibly present in nearly every conversation on reforming the global health architecture and pushing forward the Accra Reset.

At side events (which I mostly attended), the mood often felt hopeful. Speakers emphasized the need for collective action, with recurring messages along the lines of “we are all passengers on the same bus” (President of Ghana John Mahama at the High-Level Dialogue on the global health architecture convened by the Accra Reset alongside the 79th WHA)  

As a newcomer, it was hard not to get swept up in this optimism.

But then came the opportunity to enter WHO headquarters and sit in on discussions in one of the committees. The contrast was striking. Behind the aspirational language of partnership and collective responsibility, the realities of geopolitics quickly became visible.

Witnessing tense exchanges between countries and observing how broader geopolitical tensions surface in discussions and voting sessions made one thing painfully clear: before “the world [gets] together” (Olla Shideed,  Health Emergencies Governance, WHO Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Programme during ‘Are we ready for the next pandemic threat?’ organized by Geneva Graduate Institute) , there is still a long road ahead.

Interestingly, one of the most common conversation starters during the numerous networking lunches and evening receptions wasn’t about the agenda itself, but about the atmosphere. Seasoned WHA attendees (like Rachel) repeatedly commented that “something feels different this year”.

Some suggested there are fewer people than usual, perhaps reflecting tighter budgets and smaller country delegations. Others wondered whether the absence of the US is shifting dynamics. Or maybe the vibe reflects broader tensions around reforming the global health architecture ( and the quiet positioning of those aspiring to become the next Director-General of WHO).

Whatever the reason, there is a sense that something is moving beneath the surface. A transition, a recalibration, or perhaps simply the calm before another storm in global health governance?

Next week, Rachel and I will be taking stock of a new and unmistakable energy gripping the WHA and relentless side events.

PS: One lesson learned the hard way: the WHA is a marathon, not a sprint. Leave room in your suitcase for flat shoes.😉