Policy
WMA's Policies on Ethical and Social Issues
The Handbook of WMA Policy is issued as a record of the World Medical Association’s stance on a variety of ethical and social issues. The issues are usually important factors in human health and are relevant to physicians worldwide. Some of the Declarations have needed revision in light of new knowledge or to improve the sometimes awkward wording that inevitably occurs when people of different tongues deliberate together. This dynamic process shows that the WMA is a constantly evolving, unique organization, ideal to act as a protector of patients’ best interests, and as advocates for the medical profession.
We distinguish three types of policies*:
A Declaration or Statement reflects WMA policy on an issue considered to be of significance, to be universally applicable and embodying principles that endure over time. A distinction is made between a Declaration, which is broad in scope, and a Statement, which is limited in scope.
A Resolution expresses WMA’s reaction to a specific, usually urgent, situation.
As of October 2024 we have 37 Declarations, 111 Statements and 57 Resolutions. All declarations and statements are reviewed at least every 10 years, and all resolutions are reviewed every 5 years.
In addition, the WMA Council can issue Council Resolutions to react publicly on urgent issues. When adopted by the General Assembly, they become WMA policy.
*According to the Procedures and Operating Policies of the World Medical Association, Chapter 4. Procedures for the Formulation of Declarations, Statements and Resolutions
- WMA Declaration of Delhi on Health and Climate Change (revised)
- WMA Declaration of Montevideo on Disaster Preparedness and Medical Response (revised)
- WMA Declaration of Rotterdam on the Protection of Medical Neutrality in times of Armed Conflict and Other Situations of Violence
- WMA Statement on Access Pain Management (revised)
- WMA Statement on Addressing False Health Information
- WMA Statement on Divestment from Fossil Fuels (revised)
- WMA Statement on Ethical Issues Concerning Patients with Mental Illness (revised)
- WMA Statement on Medical Education (revised)
- WMA Statement on Traffic Injury (revised)
- WMA Resolution on Childhood Vaccination Schedules
- WMA Resolution on the Critical Deterioration of the Healthcare System in the West Bank
- WMA Resolution on Escalating Global Armed Conflict and Violence and Restoring Peace
- WMA Resolution on the Protection of Health Care in Syria (revised)
- WMA Resolution on the Repression of Nicaraguan Doctors (revised)
Policies reaffirmed by the 232nd Council Session, Belgrade, April 2026 and the 233rd Council Session, Rotterdam, October 2026
- WMA Declaration of Tokyo – Guidelines for Physicians concerning Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in relation to Detention and Imprisonment (with minor revision)
- WMA Declaration of Sydney on the Determination of Death and the Recovery of Organs
- WMA Statement on Body Searches of Prisoners (with minor revision)
- WMA Statement on Medical Care for Migrants (with minor revision)
- WMA Resolution on Implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (with minor revision)
- WMA Resolution in Support of Medical Personnel and Citizens of Myanmar (with minor revision)
- WMA Resolution in Support of Taiwan’s participation in all WHO Health Programs and inclusion in the International Health Regulations (IHR) Mechanism
- WMA Resolution on the Inclusion of Medical Ethics and Human Rights in the Curriculum of Medical Schools Worldwide (with minor revision)
- WMA Resolution on North Korean Nuclear Testing
Policy Handbook English-Version 2025-1 (printed in January 2026; 15 MB)