In a historic first for the Caribbean nation, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Health, Víctor Atallah, is set to depart for Geneva this month to assume the presidency of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), the top decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). Scheduled to run from May 18 to 26 at the iconic Palais des Nations, this year’s assembly will gather health delegates from over 190 WHO member states to tackle the most pressing challenges facing global public health.
As the newly appointed president of the assembly, Atallah will steer critical cross-country discussions and facilitate consensus-building across a broad agenda of core global health priorities. Key topics on the table include expanding access to robust primary health care, reinforcing national health systems to withstand future shocks, closing persistent gaps in global health equity, boosting cross-border emergency preparedness for outbreaks and public health crises, expanding access to mental health services, and accelerating progress against persistent communicable diseases. A central featured debate will focus on integrated, equitable strategies for the prevention and control of obesity within national health frameworks, aligning with the assembly’s targeted focus on growing noncommunicable disease burdens.
International health observers note that the Dominican Republic’s selection to lead the WHA marks a landmark milestone for the country, reflecting the growing international confidence in the nation’s public health leadership and its expanding role in global health cooperation. Atallah emphasized that the presidency places the Dominican Republic at the heart of global decision-making, directly shaping the binding policy commitments and strategic directions that will guide global public health action for the coming year.
After concluding his duties at the Geneva assembly, Atallah will embark on a second high-profile diplomatic health mission to Rome, where he will join delegates from across the globe for Nutrition Week 2026. Hosted at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) from May 25 to 28, the event will center on advancing evidence-based food policy, strengthening global nutrition security, advancing the adoption of sustainable dietary patterns, and refining cross-sector strategies to bolster public health systems through improved nutrition outcomes.