Martine Deprez, Luxembourg's Minister of Health and Social Security;
Credit: MSSS
From Sunday 17 to Tuesday 19 May 2026, Luxembourg's Minister of Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez, participated in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA), held in Geneva, Switzerland.
This year's edition was held under the theme "Redefining Global Health: A Shared Responsibility."
According to Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security, the WHA took place in a fragile international context marked by complex health and humanitarian challenges, including the risks of pandemics and emerging epidemics, an increase in non-communicable diseases, the health consequences of climate change, as well as conflicts and humanitarian crises affecting access to care. The ministry also highlighted growing concern over attacks targeting health infrastructure and healthcare personnel.
In addition, the assembly underlined the need to further combat health misinformation and disinformation and to take into account innovations in new technologies. It took place against a backdrop of financial pressures and calls for urgent reform of the global health architecture, the ministry noted.
On the sidelines of the 79th WHA in Geneva, Minister Deprez attended the inauguration of "The Lost Screen Memorial" on Sunday, in the presence of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). This exhibition pays tribute to children who have lost their lives as a result of harm related to social media.
According to the ministry, behind each screen is a child, a family and a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect children in the digital space. Violence against children, including harm and risks linked to the digital world, remains a major public health and societal challenge. More information about the memorial is available at https://lostscreenmemorial.org
In her remarks during the general debate, Minister Deprez commended the tireless commitment of Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO staff to health for all.
She emphasised the importance of strengthening prevention, investing in more robust surveillance systems, supporting high-quality scientific research and ensuring equitable access to healthcare in order to guarantee universal health coverage. She also stressed that innovations, including those related to artificial intelligence (AI), must benefit everyone.
Moreover, Minister Deprez called for negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) Annex of the WHO Pandemic Treaty to be concluded without delaying the 2027 deadline. She reiterated that global health challenges require strengthened cooperation and solidarity between states, international organisations, private actors and civil society.
On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, the minister expressed Luxembourg's full support for this initiative and voiced concern about the rapid spread of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has also affected Uganda and resulted in more than 100 deaths. She commended the WHO's rapid response, including the declaration of a "public health emergency of international concern" and the immediate release of emergency funds.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Minister Deprez held a bilateral meeting with Usman Ahmad Mushtaq, State Secretary at Norway's Ministry of Health. Discussions focused on preparing for future health crises, strengthening resilient health systems and promoting ambitious prevention policies aimed at ensuring better health for all.
The minister also met with Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, to reaffirm Luxembourg's commitment to a strong, effective and reform-oriented WHO, as well as its continued support for multilateralism in health.
