Health Thought Interdisciplinarily – Experienced Politically: A Report from the WHA in Geneva

Admittedly, it was quite the balancing act in terms of timing: just three hours after my final state examination in human medicine, I was already on a plane from Cologne to Geneva – destination: the 78th WHA at the United Nations headquarters. But what exactly did I do there, what were my tasks – and more importantly: how did I even get there?

At the end of 2024, I was selected by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) as a youth delegate for the 78th WHA through the eponymous program – an initiative that has been running for several years with the goal of giving young voices more recognition in the international health policy arena. The youth delegate program is structured openly so that the delegate can also set their own priorities.

Once in Geneva, I immediately joined the German delegation's program – including WHO-EURO group meetings, large sessions in Committees A and B, and various side events. Active listening was especially important here, as discussions often dove straight into political and detailed matters. I found it fascinating to observe, for example, how the Foreign Office and BMG coordinated and how one could pick up on certain emphases in speeches. In almost all countries, every speech is coordinated and only delivered after lengthy authorization processes, meaning each word carries significance as “soft power.” Which country and which health policy issues were mentioned in the statements? What demands were made? Despite briefings from parts of the German delegation, it was sometimes difficult to fully follow the course of discussions, especially since the agenda often moved quickly through various topics.

As a youth delegate, you're also part of a larger WHO community of young people, including youth delegates from other countries and organizations. We met and connected during a lunch. These kinds of encounters are key for future projects after the WHA and can serve pan-European and global ideas.

The focus, highlight, and also the reason I was allowed to attend in Geneva was my statement as youth delegate. After several schedule changes, I was finally able to deliver a one-minute statement on the topic of “Mental Health and Social Connection” on Friday. I developed the content through conversations held before the WHA but was also able to incorporate my own points. One minute is very short, and it was a real challenge to find the right words. As a result, I was not able to address every topic raised in earlier discussions, for example with professional associations. The final statement addressed the multiple crises of our time (wars, climate change, insecurity) and their impact on mental and physical health. A more detailed summary of my work will soon be published in a policy brief. My speech is available on the Instagram account of the youth delegate program (@whayouthdelegate_germany) or on the WHO website (Committee A, 23 May 2025, 14:35–18:30, time stamp: 2:08:26).

With a tight schedule – usually starting around 8 a.m. and ending no earlier than 5:30 p.m. – was there any time left for Geneva itself? Not much – but I did manage a short trip to the old town, a walk along Lake Geneva, and two quick café visits.

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful to have been part of this special week in Geneva. The three days flew by – but what remains are the personal conversations with youth delegates from other countries and the vivid impression of having been there. The WHA showed me once again how important it is for young people to get involved in health policy processes – as true partners on equal footing. Because global health needs new perspectives, courage for change – and people who build bridges between practice, policy, and society.

Ahmet Bekisoglu

Ahmet Bekisoglu | LinkedIn

The current call for applications for the Youth Delegate Program for the 79th WHA in May 2026 is now open. Applications are possible until June 15, 2025. More information on how to apply can be found here (available in German only).