Thiru Balasubramaniam

The WHO Secretariat is requested to "provide further technical information and to prepare draft terms of reference for the WHO-Coordinated Laboratory Network and possible WHO recognized databases and to propose viable approaches for possible recognition of such databases." @who.int #IGWG5

Developing Countries Get More Time to Negotiate Language on Technology Transfer To Fight Anti-Microbial Resistance

[WHO EB158 UPDATE]

genevahealthfiles.substack.com/p/developing...

#EB158 sausage-making on governance reform.

Robust discussions at @who.int #EB158 on whether to postpone the dates of #WHA79 by one week.

#EB158 is now discussing Argentina's notification of withdrawal from the World Health Organization. @who.int

Indonesia: "These qualifiers should be removed so the Plan can better support equity, sustainability, and effective implementation."

Indonesia on the draft updated Global Action Plan on AMR.: "We are also seriously concerned by references to “voluntary, mutually agreed” technology transfer in the draft. Including this qualifiers as a default norm in a WHO document would unduly constrain ambition and impact." #EB158 @who.int

Brazil takes advantage of the presence of the Director-General to ask him: "Do you remember the late night we had on April 9th, 2025 discussing this very issue?" #EB158 @jamielove.bsky.social

Nepal proposes a way forward. "Decided that informal consultations on the draft global action plan on AMR will be continued to be facilitated by the WHO Sec in an inclusive, transparent manner." #EB158

Brazil on the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). "In particular, Brazil expresses serious concern with references to voluntary and mutually agreed technology transfer or VMAT Clause, which, as currently drafted, cannot be accepted and require a more balanced approach." #EB158

@who.int #EB158 discussing 14. Draft updated global action plan on antimicrobial resistance and 15. Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital healthand artificial intelligence in the health sector. @who.int

@who.int Executive Board - Programme of work for Wednesday, 4 February 2026 #EB158 apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf...

When the @who.int Executive Board discusses agenda item 14 on the draft updated global action plan on antimicrobial resistance (perhaps tomorrow), VMAT may crop up as a point of contention. @who.int #EB158

When your microphone does not work, collaborate and use your neighbor's. #EB158

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the 158th session of the Executive Board – 2 February 2026 I hope you will agree that despite the many challenges we have faced, your Organization has continued to deliver. This is your WHO. Its strength is your unity. Its future is your choice.

Dr. Tedros: "We updated the Essential Medicines List to include new medicines for cancer and GLP-1s for diabetes in people with obesity;

We reviewed 5000 pediatric formulations to prioritize those that are optimised and age-appropriate for children." @who.int #EB158

The Chair proposed splitting up agenda item Item 29.2.The Board accepted this proposal. In practice, this means that Argentina's notification for withdrawal from WHO will be discussed separately from the US notification for withdrawal from WHO. #EB158

#EB158 is taking place in the auditorium of the new building. Only one evening session is planned (for Friday) due to financial constraints.

#IGWG5 Draft program of work

Five out of seven of the seven page " onscreen version of the text reflecting discussions up to 15:40 CET on Thursday, 22 January 2026." PABS text have some yellow highlights. " Yellow highlighting: text for which initial convergence was reached at IGWG4 and IGWG4 resumed".

Ursula von der Leyen on Instagram: "On my way to India 🇮🇳 Together we will take our unique partnership to new heights ! There is still work to do, but I hope we can conclude a Free Trade Agreement.... 115K likes, 1,877 comments - ursulavonderleyen on January 24, 2026: "On my way to India 🇮🇳 Together we will take our unique partnership to new heights ! There is still work to do, but I hope we can...

Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commission dig Panjabi MC's "Mundian To Bach Ke".