Quarterly update 2026
Welcome to IAPO's first Quarterly Newsletter of 2026 - we hope you've had a good start to the year.
In this edition we're sharing our involvement in next month's 79th World Health Assembly. We've also got an exciting update regarding IAPO's engagement with the WHO Civil Society Commission.
Finally, we have new opportunities for members including regional ambassadors across all six WHO regions, and RISE, an executive training programme, both of which promise to be highlights of 2026.
Thank you for being part of our global patient organisation community!
IAPO at the 79th World Health Assembly
As a Non-State Actor in official relations with the World Health Organisation (WHO), IAPO is once again representing the voice of the global patient community at the World Health Assembly (WHA). Taking place 18-23 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHA is the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).
IAPO WHA Side Events: Save the Date
The Social Participation Village: Where Every Voice Shapes Health Governance, Tuesday, 19 May, 9:30-11:00 CEST – IAPO and the CSEM for UHC2030 will again co-host a side event on social participation at the WHA79 Civil Society Networking Space – Centre du Domaine de la Pastorale
The Value Collection: Stories Shaped by Flexible, People-centred Primary Health Care, Wednesday, 20 May, 18:30-20:30 CEST – IAPO, UNAIDS, Harvard Medical School Program in Global Primary Health Care and Roche will co-host a side event on people-centred primary health care at the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum
Civil Society Shaping the WHO Civil Society Engagement Strategy: Opportunities for Meaningful Participation in Global Health Governance, Wednesday, 20 May, 12:00-13:30 CEST - IAPO and the International Cerebral Palsy Society will co-host a side event to present the latest developments on the WHO Civil Society Engagement Strategy and seek input from civil society organisations on their perspectives and priorities at the WHA79 Civil Society Networking Space – Centre du Domaine de la Pastorale
Registration for these events will open soon, so keep an eye on your inbox!
�� Social Participation for Health: Share your input
The Global Health Council (GHC) [https://globalhealth.org/] and the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) for UHC2030 [https://csemonline.net/] have developed an important global survey on social participation.
The survey aims to assess progress in implementing the 77th World Health Assembly resolution on social participation for universal health coverage, health and well-being. Sharing your valuable insights will help shape ongoing efforts to advance universal health coverage and health for all.
Results will be announced during the 79th World Health Assembly in May.
The survey closes on Friday 17 April - share your insights here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuPqdACJSQI0SelHsyYCKx12ZEwgvV....
Other highlights this quarter
Dani Mothci was appointed co-chair of the Engagement and Strategy Working Group of the WHO Civil Society Commission [https://www.who.int/about/collaboration/civil-society-and-ngo-engagement.... Dani moderated a panel discussion at the recent Third Annual General Meeting of the Commission.Dani was also appointed a member of the Joint Commission International Global Patient Safety Leadership Council, and continues to serve as a member of the UHC 2030 Task Force, which has a new focus preparing for the UN-High Level Meeting on UHC in 2027.We conducted a global survey to gather evidence to guide the design of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing patient participation in healthcare decision-making. Thanks so much to everyone that shared their valuable insights, you will soon be hearing more about the results!IAPO representatives attended and spoke at eight events globally, taking part in important discussions within the healthcare sector - find out more below. Opportunities for IAPO members
This year will see the launch of a number of exciting new initiatives available exclusively for members
NEW training initiative
Introducing RISE (Results through Innovation, Solutions and Empowerment), an empowering executive training programme for members. RISE will launch with IAPO Leadership Academy, combining insightful quarterly training sessions with peer learning circles, enabling participants to make connections and share their learning.
We'll be releasing further details via email soon - so keep an eye on your inbox!
NEW Regional Ambassadors: Applications now open
We recently launched the opportunity for IAPO members to act as a bridge between IAPO's global work and patient communities on the ground, contributing to the development of IAPO's Regional Hubs.
IAPO Regional Ambassadors will support and mobilise our regional communities, engage with IAPO in our collaboration with the WHO as a Non State Actor in official relations with the WHO, and collaborate with IAPO's flagship initiatives such as the UHC Compass and The Global Patient Charter on Social Participation.
All IAPO members should have received an email with further information. Deadline for applications closes on 15th April. If you have any questions please get in touch with Antonia Gama on [antonia@iapo.org.uk].
Global Patient Charter Review Committee launches
The Charter Review Committee will hold its inaugural meeting later this month, bringing together IAPO’s regional ambassadors and selected global health experts to assess the implementation and progress of the Global Patient Charter on Social Participation [https://www.iapo.org.uk/node/15739].
Launched last year, the Charter [https://www.iapo.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/IAPO_Patient-Charter_2... serves as a practical advocacy tool to support patient organisations in engaging with governments and advancing locally grounded, context-sensitive approaches to social participation.
The Review Committee will provide independent, patient-led oversight of the Charter’s dissemination and implementation, ensuring the voices and expertise of patients and people with lived experience remain central to health policy decision-making.
�� Updates from the World Health Organization
Global Health Architecture (GHA) Reform: Insights needed
WHO has launched a consultation on a proposed joint process to reform the global health architecture. To guide the reform process, WHO is inviting stakeholders to share their views and insights to shape a proposal that reflects diverse experiences from across the global health community.
You can find an overview of the joint process here [https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/have-your-say-on-transform..., and can provide your feedback via this survey [https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=t8AQ9iS9OUuBCz3... before it closes on Saturday 18 April.
World Patient Safety Day 2026
WHO have announced the theme for this years' World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) as: “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases” with the slogan “Safe care for life!”.
Observed annually on 17 September, WPSD is an official WHO global public health day, bringing together governments, partners and communities to focus attention on patient safety and accelerate action to reduce avoidable harm in health care.
WHO invites all stakeholders to take part, organize events and help drive change - further information on the day can be found here [https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/09/17/default-calendar/..., and we will soon be announcing IAPO's plans to mark the day.
IAPO at events this quarter
We've had a busy start to 2026, with IAPO representatives taking part in and bringing the patient perspective to the following important discussions:
February
Joint International Diabetes Federation - International Society of Nephrology - World Heart Federation Webinar on Circulatory HealthIEEPO - International Experience Exchange with Patient Organisations Asia Pacific workshop
March
Global Self-Care Federation Forum 2026International Symposium on Dying PlacesAdvancing Disability Inclusion: Building A Society Beyond Discrimination - Together We Stand - rewatch the session here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lfL6POyc0Am5SNN-OuQE3u6i0_NeOrwq/view?u... Medical Association 2nd Open Regional Expert Meeting on the Revision of the Declaration of TaipeiDIA Europe Annual Meeting2026 OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum - rewatch here [https://www.oecd-events.org/e/gacif/en/onlinesession/2a5a8d2f-5bf1-f011-...
A recording of Dani's informative session at the 2026 OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum is now available to rewatch
Watch here [https://www.oecd-events.org/e/gacif/en/onlinesession/2a5a8d2f-5bf1-f011-...
Looking ahead: Upcoming events
6 - 8 May: Biosimilar Medicines Conference and Patient Leaders’ Workshop��Amsterdam
18 - 23 May: 79th World Health Assembly ��Geneva, Switzerland
25 - 26 May: WHO 159th Executive Board ��Geneva, Switzerland
1-2 June: 3rd Open Expert Meeting on the Revision of the Declaration of Taipei ��Vatican
2 - 4 June: Patient Engagement Open Forum ��Sevilla, Spain
6 - 10 June: HTAi Annual Meeting ��Istanbul, Turkey
7 - 9 June: IEEPO Townhall ��Basel, Switzerland
15 - 18 June: 178th Session of the Executive Committee ��Geneva, Switzerland
16 June: Patient-Centred Health Systems Strengthening Summit �� Singapore
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