2026 Calendar of Side Events: 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79)
The Central Hub for WHA79 Side Events The Global Surgery Foundation (GSF) is proud to host the community's primary calendar for the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79). As the global health community gathers in Geneva in May 2026, this resource serves as your comprehensive guide to the week’s agenda.
This public WHA79 Side Event Schedule tracks both official and independent gatherings, offering a centralized view of what is happening across Geneva and online.
Use this calendar to:
Discover high-impact sessions, panels, and networking receptions.
Coordinate your schedule with partners and policymakers.
Navigate the complex landscape of events during WHA week.
Disclaimer The inclusion of events on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF). While this WHA 2026 calendar is updated regularly, GSF does not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of third-party listings. We strongly encourage attendees to verify all event details (time, venue, and registration) directly via the official host links provided.
Hosting an event at WHA79? Add it to the schedule.
Ensure your session is visible to the thousands of delegates, policymakers, and partners using this guide to navigate the assembly. We welcome submissions for all relevant global health side events, whether held in-person in Geneva or virtually. Please review the submission guidelines.
Sunday, 17 May 2026
WHA side-events schedule
The Global TBI Coalition, Global Health Research Group of NIHR University of Cambridge, Northwest School of Medicine, and The G4 Alliance
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Novotel Genève Centre
Monday, 18 May 2026
WHA side-events schedule
Business Council for International Understanding and the GE HealthCare Foundation
7:00 - 09:00 AM
This event is by invitation only. To learn more or register you interest, please contact lifesciences@bciu.org
City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) event
C/Can
8:00 - 10:30 AM
Ballroom B, Hotel InterContinental
The AMR–Health Security Equation: Why Diplomacy Matters for Cooperation?
ECSA & Health Diplomacy Alliance
1:00 - 2:30 PM
Warwick Geneva
Healthcare Youth Alliance
2:00 - 5:00 PM
Hotel President Wilson
Side-Event of the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF)
The Global Surgery Foundation
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Ballroom A, Hotel InterContinental
Tuesday, 19 May 2026
WHA side-events schedule
Roundtable on From Resolution to Results: Advancing Medical Imaging Capacity for Equitable Care
Business Council for International Understanding and GE HealthCare
7:00 - 09:00 AM
This event is by invitation only. To learn more or register you interest, please contact lifesciences@bciu.org
Arboviruses: Shaking or Shaping the Future of Global Health
International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD)
8:30 - 10:00 AM
Hotel President Wilson
Harnessing AI and Technology to Advance Nutritional Care for Children with Non-Communicable Diseases
International Initiative for Pediatrics and Nutrition (IIPAN) and Columbia University Irving Medical Center
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Hotel President Wilson
Documentary Screening - The Making of a Surgeon: Fighting Africa’s Hidden Crisis
Operation Smile
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Geneva Graduate Institute Petal 2 Building, Auditorium Ivan Pictet B (Floor 3)
Business Council for International Understanding and Pfizer
6:00 - 8:00 PM
This event is by invitation only. To learn more or register you interest, please contact lifesciences@bciu.org.
Wednesday, 20 May 2026
WHA side-events schedule
Geneva Health Forum (GHF)
9:00 - 12:00 AM
Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva (Campus Biotech)
From Resolution to Implementation: Shaping the Future of Global Stroke Care
Business Council for International Understanding, the Global Stroke Action Coalition and Ministry of Health and Population of the Arab Republic of Egypt
12:30 - 2:00 PM
This event is by invitation only. To learn more or register you interest, please contact lifesciences@bciu.org
Geneva Health Forum (GHF)
2:00 - 6:00 PM
Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva (Campus Biotech)
Rethinking Global Health Infrastructure in a Changing World
WashU School of Public Health
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Ballroom C, Hotel InterContinental
Advancing Maternal Health Through AI-Enabled Medical Devices and Software
Business Council for International Understanding and Philips
7:00 - 9:00 PM
This event is by invitation only. To learn more or register you interest, please contact lifesciences@bciu.org.
Thursday, 21 May 2026
WHA side-events schedule
Health Diplomacy Alliance
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Rothschild Buildings
gdhub
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Campus Biotech
Friday, 22 May 2026
WHA side-events schedule
Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health 2026
Geneva Health Forum (GHF)
9:00 - 12:00 AM
Institute of Global Health
Something missing?
Use the button at the top of this page to submit a 2026 WHA79 side-event.
Submission Guidelines
To be listed on the WHA79 Calendar, your event must be:
Relevant: Focused on global health or WHA79 agenda topics.
Open: Accessible to the public (no private/internal team meetings).
Confirmed: Must have a set date, time, and valid registration link or venue.
Timely: Taking place in May 2026 during the assembly period.
Note: GSF reserves the right to decline submissions that are purely commercial, incomplete, or unrelated to the assembly.