World Health Organization (WHO): Members, Functions, Governance and Current Strategy

WHO governance: World Health Assembly, Executive Board and Director-General

The World Health Assembly (WHA) is WHO's supreme decision-making body and is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States. It determines WHO policies, appoints the Director-General, supervises financial policies and reviews and approves the proposed programme budget.

The Executive Board has 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. Its main annual session is held in January or February, and a shorter follow-up meeting is held after the World Health Assembly in May or June. The Board implements the Assembly's decisions and policies, advises it and facilitates its work.

Functions of WHO under Article 2 of its Constitution

The Constitution gives WHO a broad mandate covering coordination, technical assistance, disease control, research, health information, standards, training and international health instruments. The principal functions include:

1. (a) Act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.
2. (b) Establish and maintain effective collaboration with the United Nations, specialized agencies, governmental health administrations, professional groups and other appropriate organizations.
3. (c) Assist governments, on request, in strengthening health services.
4. (d) Provide appropriate technical assistance and, in emergencies, necessary aid when requested or accepted by governments.
5. (e) Provide or assist in providing health services and facilities to special groups when requested by the United Nations.
6. (f) Establish and maintain necessary administrative and technical services, including epidemiological and statistical services.
7. (g) Stimulate and advance work to eradicate epidemic, endemic and other diseases.
8. (h) Promote, with other specialized agencies where necessary, the prevention of accidental injuries.
9. (i) Promote improvement of nutrition, housing, sanitation, recreation, economic or working conditions and other aspects of environmental hygiene.
10. (j) Promote cooperation among scientific and professional groups that contribute to the advancement of health.
11. (k) Propose conventions, agreements and regulations and make recommendations concerning international health matters.
12. (l) Promote maternal and child health and welfare and foster the ability to live harmoniously in a changing environment.
13. (m) Foster activities in mental health, especially those affecting harmony of human relations.
14. (n) Promote and conduct research in the field of health.
15. (o) Promote improved standards of teaching and training in health, medical and related professions.
16. (p) Study and report on administrative and social techniques affecting public health and medical care, including hospital services and social security.
17. (q) Provide information, counsel and assistance in the field of health.
18. (r) Assist in developing informed public opinion on health matters.
19. (s) Establish and revise international nomenclatures of diseases, causes of death and public-health practices.
20. (t) Standardize diagnostic procedures where necessary.
21. (u) Develop, establish and promote international standards for food, biological, pharmaceutical and similar products.
22. (v) Take all necessary action to attain the objective of the Organization.

WHO Global Health Strategy 2025-2028

The current strategic framework is the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14), adopted by the World Health Assembly and guiding WHO's work for 2025-2028. Its overarching vision is to promote, provide and protect the health and well-being of all people, everywhere.

GPW 14 contains six strategic objectives:

International Health Regulations: current position

The International Health Regulations (2005) are legally binding international regulations governing preparedness for and response to public-health risks that may cross borders. The framework applies to 196 States Parties, including all 194 WHO Member States.

Major amendments adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2024 entered into force on 19 September 2025 for States Parties to which they apply. The amended IHR strengthen pandemic-emergency provisions, national capacities, coordination, access to health products and implementation mechanisms.

WHO Pandemic Agreement

On 20 May 2025, the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly adopted by consensus the WHO Pandemic Agreement under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. It is intended to improve international cooperation and equity in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The Agreement's Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system requires a separate annex. At the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in May 2026, Member States continued negotiations and agreed that the outcome should be submitted for consideration by the Eightieth World Health Assembly in May 2027 or at a dedicated special session if held earlier. The Agreement should therefore not be described as fully operational in all respects while this annex process remains ongoing.

WHO and eradication of smallpox

Smallpox remains one of WHO's landmark public-health achievements. After an intensified global vaccination and surveillance programme, the World Health Assembly formally declared global eradication of smallpox on 8 May 1980. It was the first human disease eradicated worldwide.

WHO continues to oversee international work connected with remaining variola virus stocks, biosafety, preparedness and technical guidance relating to smallpox.