site.btaGovernment Endorses Composition of Bulgarian Delegations to World Health Assembly 79th Session, WHO's Executive Board 159th Session

The Council of Ministers Wednesday approved the participation, positions, and composition of the Bulgarian delegations for the 79th session of the World Health Assembly, from May 18 to 23 2026, and the 159th session of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization, from May 25 to 26 2026, in Geneva.

The theme of this year's general debate at the highest global health forum is "Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility".

The main topics on the Assembly's provisional agenda, on which the Bulgarian delegation will present national positions, include WHO financing, reform of WHO governance, reform of the global health architecture and the UN80 initiative, and the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) for drafting and negotiating the annex on "Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing" (PABS) to the Pandemic Agreement, as described in Article 12 of the agreement adopted during the 78th session of the World Health Assembly.

The discussions will also cover the following traditional health topics: universal health coverage, communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health, primary health care, healthcare within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the healthcare workforce, preparedness and response to public health emergencies, maternal and child health, and others.

If necessary, the Bulgarian delegation will vote in accordance with the common position of the European Union member states, while taking into account Bulgaria's national interest and position on non-interference in national competencies in the field of healthcare. With regard to global health cooperation, Bulgaria will uphold the need to demonstrate added value and to apply the principles of accountability, transparency, prioritization, and a results-oriented approach by the WHO Secretariat, WHO Regional Offices, and their subordinate structures.