The WHA Resolution on Social Participation led by Thailand, highlighted civil society engagement in its development and decisions.
Writer: Khanitta Saeiew, NHCO Thailand (February 2025)
The World Health Organization (WHO) published the study report titles “Civil society engagement in the development of World Health Assembly resolution and decision. Lessons and examples from the Seventy-seventh session” at G2H2 Policy Debate Forum on January 24,2025 via zoom. The event was organized by Medicus Mundi International-Network Health for All, World Vision International, Women in Global Health, European Public Health Alliance and CORE Group in cooperation with the WHO Civil Society Commission. The session attended by over 200 participants, including representatives from member states, the World Health Organization (WHO), and civil society organizations (CSOs).
Three case studies of World Health Assembly resolutions were selected for this study: 1) Social Participation for UHC, health and well-being 2) the WHO Fourteenth General Programmed of Work (GPW14) and 3) Climate Change and Health. These resolutions were chosen because they offer inspirations, good practice and concrete recommendations to all actors for improving future interactions related to WHO Member State governance processes. And the study was conducted between March and May 2024 by a working group of the WHO Civil Society Commission while consultations in view of WHA 77 were still ongoing. This study is therefore a piece of real-time assessment and documentation.
Key Findings and Case Studies
- Social Participation Resolution: Led by member states Slovenia and Thailand, this resolution marked a significant step in formalizing civil society consultations. The process involved informal meetings and consistent feedback, demonstrating the value of early and inclusive engagement. However, challenges such as limited time and confidentiality concerns were noted.
- GPW14 Development: The WHO Secretariat undertook an extensive consultation process with CSOs, UN agencies, youth groups, and private sector organizations. This iterative approach, supported by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, resulted in a more inclusive and responsive global health strategy. Despite time constraints, the process was hailed as a model for future engagements.
- Climate Change and Health Resolution: This resolution was initiated by civil society, particularly the Global Climate and Health Alliance, which provided technical expertise and mobilized member states. While there was no formal consultation process, the resolution’s adoption showcased the potential of civil society to influence global health agendas.
Recommendations for the Future
The report emphasizes the need for structured and transparent processes to ensure meaningful civil society participation. Key recommendations include:
- Early and open engagement with CSOs.
- Clear guidelines for consultations, including timelines and feedback mechanisms.
- Institutionalizing civil society involvement in WHO governance processes.
- Building capacity within both CSOs and member states to facilitate effective collaboration.
Thomas Schwarz, one of the report’s lead authors, highlighted the importance of civil society expertise in shaping global health policies. “Civil society brings unique perspectives and evidence-based insights that are crucial for effective policymaking,” he said. “This report is a call to action for member states, the WHO Secretariat, and CSOs to work together more closely.”
Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General, praised the report and the role of civil society in the GPW14 process. “The engagement of civil society has made GPW14 a much stronger document,” he said. “We need to build on this momentum and ensure that civil society voices are heard in all aspects of WHO’s work.”
Nanoot Mathurapote, NHCO Thailand emphasized the importance of civil society engagement in policymaking, particularly in Thailand as it ensures inclusivity, strengthens implementation, and fosters collaboration between governments and communities. Thailand has formal mechanisms that allow civil society to voice their concerns and share lived experiences, which helps shape policy responses. For example, civil society input from Thailand influenced the resolution on health and care workforce at the Executive Board meeting.
She also mentioned Key Success factors for Civil Society Engagement in WHA resolution on Social Participation was the genuine respect and sincere effort of the member states to engage civil society. The core group of member states (including Thailand, Slovenia, Brazil, France, Norway, and Tunisia) all agreed on the importance of civil society consultation. Nanoot also credited the WHO Secretariat for their technical support, which made the process smoother.
The WHA Resolution on Social Participation remarkable CSO engagement by seeing from several consultation with CSO, and consultation undertaken by Member state. The study also found that xx
To Download the report click https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/380262/9789240103788-eng.pdf
To watch the G2H2 record and more information click https://g2h2.org/posts/january2025/