Switzerland's president Alain Berset arrives with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), before the opening of the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) at UN's European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, 21 May 2023. (Keystone/Gabriel Monnet)

Countries gather in Geneva for health conference amid mounting tensions. With the Covid-19 pandemic alert officially in the rearview mirror, countries are turning their attention to preparing for future health crises. The 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) opened their annual gathering in Geneva on Sunday, 21 May. The assembly, which marks the health body’s 75th anniversary, will run until 30 May. But thorny issues on the agenda coupled with mounting geopolitical tensions among some of its most powerful members are likely to lead to strained discussions and some of the usual confrontations.

🥵Coping with being cooked. After publishing an alarming report last week that estimated it was 66 per cent likely that global temperatures will surpass the 1.5ºC threshold within the next five years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is convening its quadrennial Congress. On the agenda are plans to boost early warning systems to support climate adaptation.

💰Donate here. Following an unprecedented drought, massive flooding is the latest climate disaster to hit Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, where 43 million people already rely on humanitarian assistance. The United Nations will be holding a pledging event in New York on Wednesday to respond to those needs.