World Health Assembly Updates.
                     World Health Assembly Updates
VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY
• The 73rd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) took place 
virtually from May 18-19. During the session, countries including 
India, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, UK and Canada accepted a 
resolution asking for an “impartial, independent and 
comprehensive evaluation” of the WHO’s response to the 
pandemic as well as the identification of the “zoonotic” source of 
the coronavirus.
Source: Google Images
SUPPORT
• The origin of the virus is currently believed to be a wet market in 
Wuhan, China. According to a Reuters report, 116 of the 194 
member states were in favour of the resolution. While the 
resolution has been endorsed at the WHA, it remains to be seen 
how the probe will be carried out and to what degree of 
independence.
Source: Google Images
WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
• The WHA is the decision making body of the WHO and the 
Assembly, which is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, is 
attended by member states. During the Assembly, the WHO’s 
194 member states discuss health agendas set by the body’s 
Executive Board, set new goals and assign tasks to fulfill these 
goals.
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REACTIONS FROM WORLD LEADERS
• Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne Monday hailed the 
global support into a comprehensive investigation into the Covid-
19 response. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, meanwhile, 
said that no country can solve this problem alone and backed the 
WHO’s efforts to combat the outbreak.
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IMMUNIZATION AGENDA
• The Assembly also addressed a global vaccine action plan with 
the “Immunization Agenda 2030” that aims to ensure 
immunization for all age groups to prevent the spread of 
preventable diseases and sustaining vaccine supplies. The 
resolution was brought forward by the European Union (EU) and 
moved by Australia on behalf of more than 100 countries 
including India, Australia and Japan
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WHAT DOES THE DRAFT INCLUDE?
• While it does not mention China, the draft says the Director 
General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus should 
continue to work closely with the World Organization for Animal 
Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United 
Nations (FAO) and countries, to identify the zoonotic source of 
the virus and the route of introduction to the human population
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OTHER RESOLUTIONS
• It also ask to investigate on the possible role of intermediate 
hosts, including thorough efforts such as scientific and 
collaborative field missions, which will enable targeted 
interventions and a research agenda, as well as to reduce further 
risks of emergence and transmission of zoonotic diseases.
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AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION
• Since the pandemic, there has been increasing pressure on 
China, which so far has opposed suggestions for inquiry into the 
origins of the virus. Meanwhile, the US has repeatedly blamed 
the WHO and claims the organization failed to obtain timely 
information and share it in a transparent fashion.
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WHAT DOES IT HOLD FOR CHINA?
• While the resolution has been endorsed at the WHA, it remains to 
be seen how the probe will be carried out and to what degree of 
independence. Significantly, the timeline of the probe is also not 
clear. So far, China has opposed demands calling for an 
international investigation into the virus.
Source: Google Images