Good morning, this is Michelle. At the World Health Assembly last week, delegates agreed to launch consultations aimed at improving the way a global patchwork of UN agencies, international organisations and local actors work together to deliver health services on the ground – with fewer resources.
We sat down with Spain’s health secretary, Javier Padilla Bernáldez, whose country has emerged as a leading voice for global health cooperation. We talked about outdated bipolar world orders, unanswered demands for equity and Spain’s push for gender equality against the conservative tide now led by the US.
In other news, Germany has moved up the list of global aid donors – here’s what it spends its money on. And meet Switzerland’s new top diplomat in New York. |
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, 18 May 2026. (Keystone/Salvatore Di Nolfi)
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Here's what else is happening
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💰Money Matters: How is Germany spending its aid?
As Germany inadvertently took over the US last year to become the world’s largest donor, a breakdown of its contributions shows where it spends its aid, including a large part on multilaterals.
Devex (EN)
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🇨🇭New Swiss ambassador to UN New York seeks to strengthen international Geneva.
Frank Grütter, who presented his credentials to António Guterres earlier this month, wants to help prepare the UN for the future by drawing on typically Swiss qualities, such as a spirit of dialogue, pragmatism and a capacity for innovation.
Keystone-SDA via Swissinfo (EN)
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🗳️WHO Executive Board adopts process for election of next director general, with powerful role for poor African states.
The first forum for candidates will be held on 18 November, where they will face questions from member states. The Central African Republic, South Sudan and Mozambique, which are among the world's 10 poorest countries, are part of the executive board, in charge of shortlisting three candidates.
Health Policy Watch (EN)
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😷Ebola needs swift response to prevent catastrophe, says DR Congo governor.
His comments yesterday come after the head of the World Health Organization on Monday reported more than 900 suspected cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and 220 suspected deaths.
BBC (EN)
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⚖️UN special rapporteur on environment to join an Australian legal case in historic first.
Astrid Puentes Riano, the UN's special rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, will be allowed to make submissions in a case challenging the government's decision to grant a 40-year extension to Australia's second-largest liquefied natural gas plant.
Reuters (EN)
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