WMA_Annual_Report_2024

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WMA 2024 Annual Report
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Table of Contents
Message from the WMA President ………………………………………………………………….. 3
Policies adopted at the General Assembly 2024, Helsinki…………………………………… 4
Policies reaffirmed by the 226th
Council Session, Seoul, April 2024 and the 227th
Council Session, Helsinki, October 2024………………………………………………………….. 4
WMA General Assembly 2024 in Helsinki, Finland…………………………………………….. 5
The WMA at major international Ethics conferences ………………………………………….. 7
WMA at other external events…………………………………………………………………………. 8
Declaration of Helsinki 2024 Revision ……………………………………………………………… 9
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the health workforce…………………………………………… 10
WMA at the Climate Change Conference in Baku, COP29 …………………………………11
The WMA calls for a fair plastic treaty ……………………………………………………………. 12
Antimicrobial resistance advocacy and events ………………………………………………… 13
Health workforce advocacy…………………………………………………………………………… 14
Safeguarding healthcare facilities and personnel in areas of conflict, in accordance
with international law …………………………………………………………………………………… 15
WHPA: Celebrating 25 years with a new strategy ……………………………………………. 15
WMA interventions to the World Health Assembly and the WHO Executive Board.. 16
2024 WMA public statements, declarations and open letters …………………………….. 16
Public Relations ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
Constituent Membership………………………………………………………………………………. 18
Associate Membership ………………………………………………………………………………… 18
Financial Report………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19
WMA Leaders …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
WMA Secretariat…………………………………………………………………………………………. 20
World Medical Journal …………………………………………………………………………………. 21
Future Meetings………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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Message from the WMA President
I am pleased to be able to write briefly for our
WMA Annual Report. There is no doubt that
the high point of the WMA year in 2024 was
the adoption of the revised version of the
Declaration of Helsinki on the 60th
anniversary of its birth – in the city where it
was first unveiled.
Many thanks should go to the workgroup
which worked tirelessly to deliver this
document in a remarkably short time of a little
over two years. Considering the many
significant changes, this was no mean
achievement. The reactions from the
research community have been generally
positive and welcoming.
The WMA also sent a team to monitor
negotiations at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
We are somewhat disappointed with the slow
rate of progress and the failure to place
health at the forefront of negotiations.
However, these negotiations represent one
important tool in mitigating the deleterious
effects of anthropogenic climate change, and
we will continue to monitor, engage and
speak out.
Another important issue drawing our
attention has been the stuttering progress
towards an accord on pandemic prevention,
preparedness and response. At our General
Assembly in Helsinki, a revised statement on
this matter was adopted, and we have
released a press statement outlining the
crucial areas for world leaders to focus on in
this matter.
Unfortunately, the last year has been one of
even more open armed conflict, with
continuing violence in the Ukraine, Sudan,
Yemen and Gaza. The scale of death and
destruction demands our attention. However,
the WMA maintains its credibility by speaking
on issues pertinent to its expertise and
objectively proven. This is why we do not rush
out with a new press statement every week.
However, we have issued statements on the
maintenance of medical neutrality and the
safeguarding of healthcare facilities and
personnel and will continue to respond as
new issues arise.
We have issued a statement about the use of
single-use plastics. It is time the medical
community starts to do the work of reducing
our impact on the ecosystem. The situation is
too dire to ask for special concessions for
medical devices, packaging etc.
The medical profession and healthcare
systems are going through significant
upheavals now. Migration of healthcare
professionals is increasing, presenting
significant challenges especially to lower
income countries, which see their laboriously
and expensively trained people leave for
greener pastures. The WMA is now preparing
a report on physician migration, the data
collection phase of which is drawing to a
close.
We would not be doing the work we are doing
if we were not fundamentally optimistic.
However, our optimism must be tempered by
realism. Without participation in policy
debates and formulation, undesirable
changes may be adopted widely. I therefore
reiterate the call I made in Helsinki for every
doctor to remain engaged not only in patient
care but also policy making, whether directly
or through your national medical associations
or, of course, the World Medical Association.
Dr Ashok Philip
WMA President
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Policies adopted at the General Assembly 2024,
Helsinki
• WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human
Participants (revised)
• WMA Declaration of Kigali on the Ethical Use of Medical Technology (revised)
• WMA Declaration on Prevention and Reduction of Air Pollution to Improve Air Quality
• WMA Statement on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (revised)
• WMA Statement on Epidemics and Pandemics (revised)
• WMA Statement on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (revised)
• WMA Resolution on Anti-LGBTQ Legislation
• WMA Resolution on Organ Donation in Prisoners
• WMA Resolution on Plastics and Health
• WMA Resolution on the Protection of Healthcare in Israel and Gaza
Policies reaffirmed by the 226th Council Session,
Seoul, April 2024 and the 227th
Council Session,
Helsinki, October 2024
• WMA Declaration of Hong Kong on the Abuse of Older People (with minor revision)
• WMA Guidelines on Promotional Mass Media Appearance by Physicians (with minor
revision)
• WMA Statement on Adolescent Suicide (with minor revision)
• WMA Statement on Non-Discrimination in Professional Membership and Activities of
Physicians (with minor revision)
• WMA Resolution on the Revocation of WHO Guidelines on Opioid Use (with minor
revision)
• WMA Resolution in Support of an International Day of the Medical Profession
• WMA Resolution in support of the Turkish Medical Association (with minor revision)
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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WMA General Assembly 2024 in Helsinki, Finland
The 75th
General Assembly of the WMA, held in Helsinki, Finland, from 16-19 October 2024,
brought together delegates from 50 national medical associations to address urgent issues facing the
medical profession today.
President’s Report
The Council received the report of WMA
President, Dr Lujain AlQodmani (Kuwait Medical
Association), on her activities from May to
September 2024. Dr AlQodmani referred to the
key priorities of her presidency: support for
National Medical Associations, relations with the
World Health Organization, climate change,
gender equality, Universal Health Coverage, and
safety of healthcare personnel and facilities in
conflicts. Dr AlQodmani outlined WMA work on
the climate and health agenda, particularly
regarding the COP30, which will be held in Brazil
in November 2025.
Secretary General’s Report
In addition to the written Council Report, the
Secretary General, Dr Otmar Kloiber mentioned
that the WMA had two opportunities to be part of
OECD surveys from the health section, which
makes influential recommendations on the
structure of health policy and health systems. The
first survey was on artificial intelligence (AI),
which has resulted in a working paper. The
second survey was on the financialisation of
outpatient services, with the report to be
published in the near future. He also strongly
encouraged National Medical Associations to
take advantage of these opportunities when they
arise.
Chair of Council’s Report
In his report, Prof Jungyul Park noted the many
challenges, both global and local, that WMA
members face, such as violence against health
professionals, climate change, achieving
universal health coverage, racism and other
human rights abuses, and polarisation. He urged
WMA members to continue to tackle these
challenges with determination and collective
wisdom.
Ceremonial session
Dr Niina Koivuviita, President of the Finnish
Medical Association, extended a warm
welcome to WMA leadership, colleagues, and
distinguished guests. She referred to the
Declaration of Helsinki, which has guided
ethical standards for medical research involving
humans for six decades. Next, the Honorable
Mr Alexander Stubb, President of Finland,
welcomed attendees of the General Assembly
to Finland and Helsinki, noting that sixty years
Attendees at the WMA General Assembly, Helsinki, October 2024.
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ago, the WMA convened there to adopt the
ethical principles that continue to guide medical
research today.
Chair of Council, Prof Park paid tribute to Dr
Lujain AlQodmani, the 74th
President of the
WMA. He stated that Dr AlQodmani has shown
passion and enthusiasm as well as whole-
hearted empathy and sympathy, coupled with
tireless commitment and dedication.
In her Valedictory Address, outgoing WMA
President, Dr Lujain AlQodmani, highlighted the
immense challenges that physicians face, citing
international conflicts, climate change,
economic crises and violations of human rights.
She said that as physicians, our duty is not just
to our patients but to the health and well-being
of all. Dr AlQodmani said that as the fifth woman
to be elected President of the World Medical
Association, she was deeply aware of the
honour and the responsibility of representing
others who still lack a seat at the table.
Dr Ashok Philip took the oath of office and was
installed as the 75th
President of the World
Medical Association.
He detailed threats to the professional autonomy
of physicians, threats which have been
exacerbated by increasing healthcare costs as
life expectancy increases. Dr Philip said that
steps towards removing or excluding physicians
from healthcare delivery teams, ostensibly to
handle shortages of medical professionals, but as
cost cutting measures, must be resisted.
New WMA President-Elect – Dr Jacqueline
Kitulu
Dr Jacqueline Kitulu, former president of the
Kenyan Medical Association, was elected as
President-Elect of the World Medical
Association. Dr Kitulu will take up her post at the
76th
WMA General Assembly in Porto, Portugal
in October 2025. Dr Kitulu promised to lead
WMA with transparency, compassion and
unwavering commitment.
Inequalities in health and healthcare – how to
tackle them?
The WMA Scientific Session addressed
inequalities in health and healthcare, and how
to tackle them. The Keynote Speech, “Social
Justice and Health Equity” was given by Sir
Michael Marmot, WMA Past President. This was
followed by sessions on “How can prevention
provide more equity in healthcare?”,
“Advancements in healthcare – how to make
access to health care more equitable?’ and
“How to mitigate the effects of climate change
on inequalities?”
The Hungarian Medical Chamber (HMC) was
admitted to the World Medical Association
Constituent Membership.
Dr Jackie Kitulu, Dr Ashok Philip and Dr Lujain AlQodmani.
In his Inaugural Address, Dr Philip spoke
of the necessity for the medical profession
to stay actively engaged in the evolution of
healthcare delivery and health systems, to
ensure the best outcomes for patients and
to safeguard professional autonomy. He
stated that while policy and planning could
be seen as be tedious work and “take us
away from direct patient care, but in the
long term it protects our patients, and that
is what we have sworn to do.”
Scientific Session: Advancements in healthcare – how to make access to health
care more equitable? Panelists: Dr Markku Satokangas, Finland; Dr Diana Marion,
Kenya Medical Association; Dr Jesse Ehrenfeld, American Medical Association; and
Moderator, Dr Ashok Philip, Malaysian Medical Association.
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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The WMA at major international Ethics conferences
World Congress of Bioethics
The biannual World Congress of Bioethics
held its 17th
meeting in Doha, the capital of
Qatar, from 3 to 6 June 2024. The WMA had
the opportunity to bring its policies to the
discussion in a World Medical Association
Symposium that was entitled: “What are the
limits of plurality for the global healthcare
professions?” Led by WMA Ethics advisor
Professor Urban Wiesing, Dr Ramin Parsa-
Parsi of the German Medical Association, and
WMA Secretary General Dr Otmar Kloiber,
the seminar was intended to focus particularly
on the Arab interpretation of our deontological
concepts. The session was chaired by WMA
President Dr Lujain AlQodmani.
16th
World Conference in Bioethics, Medical
Ethics and Health Law
This conference was held from 24 to 27 July in
Brasília, the capital of Brazil. It was organised by
the International Chair in Bioethics (ICB), and
featured two special sessions arranged by
WMA. The first session addressed the “Duties
and Rights of Health Professionals During a
Pandemic”.
Mrs Annabel Seebohm, Secretary General of
COCIR and former WMA General Council
member, along with Dr Otmar Kloiber,
discussed the tension between expectations
and ethical obligations for health professionals
during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the
limits of those duties and obligations, and the
rights and treatment of health professionals in
reality. Professor Rui Nunes, the head of ICB,
led the discussion.
In a special session on the last conference day,
Dr Jack Resneck, the Chair of the WMA
Declaration of Helsinki Workgroup, gave an
overview of the revision process of the
Declaration of Helsinki with a special focus on
the work on placebo use in clinical trials and the
principles around post-trial access to care.
WMA Symposium, “What are the limits of plurality for the global healthcare professions?” Speakers and panellists, in Doha, at
the 17th World Congress of Bioethics. (Image: 17th World Congress of Bioethics WCB)
Dr Jack Resneck Jr., Chair, Declaration of Helsinki Revision workgroup,
addresses 16th World Conference in Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health
Law, Brasilia, with Dr Otmar Kloiber and Prof. Rui Nunes, Chair of the ICB.
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The discussion was accompanied by WMA
Past-President Dr Miguel Jorge, former WMA
Council Member Dr Florentino Cardoso, Dr
Ramin Parsa-Parsi, Dr Otmar Kloiber and the
chair of the International Chair in Bioethics, Prof
Rui Nunes.
The WMA at other external events
Vienna Congress 2024
The WMA was again invited to the annual
Vienna Congress, held from 28-29 January
2024. The Conference, organised by David
Ungar Klein, offered room for discussions,
presentations, and workshops on transforming
our economies and societies with artificial
intelligence. It addressed aspects from health
system resilience and supply chain security to
science and democracy skepticism. The
Vienna Congress brings together politicians,
Nobel laureates, scientists, economists,
engineers and leaders from civil society to
contribute their views on the topics. For WMA
its President, Dr Lujain Alqodmani and the
Secretary General, Dr Otmar Kloiber attended
the Conference and spoke about healthcare
system resilience and the growing skepticism in
science and public health.
The World Government Summit
The World Government Summit 2024 was held
in February in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
This high-level meeting focuses on aspects of
public governance and its modernization. The
2024 session was dominated by the strong rise
of artificial intelligence. The President, Dr Lujain
AlQodmani, and the World Medical Association
Secretary General were invited to panels,
discussions and presentations about urban
health and its medical and public health
aspects.
International consensus of healthcare leaders looks
to the future
Ten years ago, the International Alliance of
Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the ICN–
International Council of Nurses, the International
Hospital Federation, the International Pharma-
ceutical Federation (FIP), the World Medical
Association, and the International Federation of
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations
(IFPMA) established the International Consensus
Framework for ethical collaboration in health.
This is a tool which aims to improve patient
outcomes through ethical collaboration. It is the
only global platform of its kind, routinely
convening global health bodies.
On Global Ethics Day, 16 October 2024, under
the theme ‘Ethics Empowered’, the members of
the international Consensus Framework
celebrated 10 years of the Framework as a
lighthouse for ethical collaboration for the benefit
of patients.
They coauthored a blog post Celebrating a
decade of ethical collaboration: An international
consensus of healthcare leaders looks to the
future. This posts renews the commitment of the
partners to address pressing health challenges in
the complex and fast-evolving healthcare
environment, renewing our commitment for high
quality care for patients.
Partners of the International Consensus Framework for ethical collaboration
in health (Image: (c) Jeremy Spierer)
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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Declaration of Helsinki 2024 Revision
The 2024 revision of the Declaration of Helsinki, Ethical Principles for Medical Research
Involving Human Participants, was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly, 60 years
since the original Declaration was first adopted.
This was after a thorough, 30-month revision
process by the WMA Declaration of Helsinki
Revision workgroup with representatives from
19 countries. Heartfelt thanks are expressed to
everyone who was involved in the revision
process in any way.
Under the leadership of Dr Jack Resneck Jr.,
Chair of the WMA Declaration of Helsinki
revision workgroup, the revision team
concluded that some areas of the document
had to be updated to ensure the Declaration’s
continued relevance. The 2024 Declaration of
Helsinki revision sees increased protection for
vulnerable populations, improved trans-
parency in clinical trials, and stronger
commitments to fairness and equity in
research.
Substantive changes to the Declaration of
Helsinki can be categorised in two areas. The
first area is participant-centred inclusion,
respect and protection, including recognition
of participant vulnerability, calls for community
engagement, pursuit of global justice,
obtaining informed consent, and use of
participant-centred language. The second
area of substantive changes covers research
beneficence and value, including the pursuit of
“individual and public health”, upholding
scientific rigor and integrity, and considered
distribution of benefits, risks and burdens.
Declaration of Helsinki Regional and Topical Expert Meetings
Location Date Topic
Tel Aviv, Israel December, 2022 West Asian regional meeting on the implications of big data, machine learning, and augmented
intelligence
São Paulo, Brazil February, 2023 Latin American regional meeting on ethical considerations on the use of placebo
Copenhagen, Denmark September, 2023 European regional meeting on emerging trial designs
Tokyo, Japan November, 2023 Pacific regional meeting on research during pandemics and other public health emergencies
Vatican City January, 2024 Topical conference on research in resource-poor settings and global justice
Johannesburg, South Africa February, 2024 African regional meeting on vulnerability, community inclusiveness, and post-trial access
Munich, Germany May, 2024 Topical conference on specific and particularly vulnerable groups
Washington, DC, USA August, 2024 North American regional meeting on remaining challenges, final consolidation, and maximizing impact
“Previously, the Declaration of Helsinki addressed WMA members and constituents. The new
version of the Declaration says that as physicians, it’s part of our moral obligation to ensure
that our patients and the participants in research are respected and treated with dignity.”
Dr Jack Resneck Jr., Chair of the WMA Declaration of Helsinki revision workgroup
Declaration of Helsinki Revision workgroup meeting, Helsinki, October 2024.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the health workforce
During 2024, the WMA collaborated with the Health Division of the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to carry out a survey of medical
associations’ perspectives on the integration of AI tools.
Survey and interviews
The survey aimed to contribute to the debate
on AI from the perspective of healthcare
providers, whose role is essential to
healthcare systems. This investigation, led
by the OECD, was facilitated through a
comprehensive questionnaire that the WMA
secretariat distributed to its constituent
members.
To complete its research, the OECD
conducted interviews with healthcare
professionals and AI experts. A total of 18
medical associations participated in the
survey, representing countries from North
and South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the
Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan
Africa.
While health professionals are not worried
about being replaced by AI, they are
concerned that AI tools could be designed
and implemented without them.
Working paper
The survey resulted in an OECD working
paper: Artificial Intelligence and the health
workforce : Perspectives from medical
associations on AI in health.
Webinar
This was followed by a webinar on 22
November 2024 with a panel of experts who
discussed innovative solutions and the
evolving landscape of AI in healthcare,
across various countries.
Two representatives of WMA member
medical associations took part in the event:
Dr Jesse Ehrenfeld, Past President of the
American Medical Association; and Dr
Mzulungile Nokinda, CEO of the South
African Medical Association.
See more
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/TtQ
rBTjQ4D8
Publication: Artificial Intelligence and the
health workforce | OECD
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND
THE HEALTH WORKFORCE
PERSPECTIVES FROM MEDICAL
ASSOCIATIONS ON AI IN HEALTH
OECD ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE PAPERS
November 2024 No. 28
Some of the key findings indicate that the
benefits of AI in healthcare outweigh the
risks for most medical associations, while
an overwhelming majority are concerned
about the ethical issues that could arise
from AI applications in medical practice.
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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The WMA at the Climate Change Conference in
Baku, COP29
Members of the World Medical Association (WMA) attended the 29th
Conference of the Parties
(COP 29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in
Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 to 23 November 2024.
The WMA Delegation was made up by of four
onsite and three virtual delegates, coming
from the United States, Kuwait, Egypt,
Austria, Mexico, Luxembourg, and India. It
was led by Dr Lujain AlQodmani and Dr
Ankush Bansal. Due to a limitation imposed
by the COP 29 host, only one person could
be credentialed as an in-person WMA
delegate for each day of the conference.
Therefore, this COP had about equal
representation of WMA onsite and online
delegates.
The most notable development for climate
change and health from the conference was
a start to finance the proposal for low- and
middle-income countries to develop and
scale up mitigation and adaptation strategies,
funded by high-income countries.
The ask was for USD 1.3 trillion per year.
However, the final agreement was for a ramp-
up, from private, public, multilateral and
“alternative” sources to USD 300 billion per
year by 2035.
Discussion on national adaptation plans was
also further postponed. Unfortunately, many
references to “female empowerment”, “inter-
The WMA Delegation to COP29, Baku, November 2024.
The deal omitted sub-targets, plus
eliminating or reducing fossil fuel
subsidies, and the principle of “polluter
pays”. This will likely be insufficient for
health mitigation and adaptation
strategies, falling short of the WMA
Declaration of Delhi on Health and
Climate Change (rev. 2017).
Furthermore, the “just transition work
programme” which aims to guarantee a
right to health and a clean, healthy,
sustainable environment, in keeping
with the WMA Resolution on Protecting
the Future Generation’s Right to Live in
a Healthy Environment (2020) did not
move appreciably forward towards
adoption. Instead, it has been post-
poned to the June 2025 62nd
Sessions
of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies
(SB62) meeting in Bonn, Germany.
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sectionality” and “gender response” policies
were modified to limit such policies to “gender
equality”.
Several national member states provided
information about climate policy and
implementation within their borders and in
partnership with other countries. For
example, the United States stated to the
WMA delegation that 29% of all U.S.
healthcare facilities are tracking emissions.
Furthermore, the U.S. is working with the
U.K. NHS, Norway, and Germany on global
supply procurement interventions to reduce
Scope 3 emissions. However, with the
change in federal policy towards climate
change with the new U.S. presidential
administration, much work will depend on
state actions and existing federal
partnerships with international partners.
Due to the reduced permitted attendance at
COP 29, the WMA delegation was unable to
plan for and secure speaking engagements
at roundtables or side events.
The WMA delegation cooperated with
physicians, nurses, pharmacists, academics,
students and scientists in the climate and
health space from around the world, through
the Global Climate and Health Alliance
(GCHA) and daily policy meetings. The WMA
delegation contributed to these meetings
based on monitoring of negotiation meetings,
party outreach, and analysis of health
presence at COP 29.
WMA delegation to the COP29
In Baku
Ankush K. Bansal, MD
Lujain AlQodmani, BMSc, MBBS
Ahmed Aboushady, MD, MPH
Jeazul Ponce Hernandez, MD, MPH, MSc
Online
Suryakanta Acharya, MD
Lekha Rathod, MBBS, MSc
Johanna Schauer-Berg, MD, MPH
The WMA calls for a fair plastic treaty
In October at the General Assembly in
Helsinki, WMA members adopted a new
resolution on plastics and health denouncing
the challenges posed to health by plastic
pollution.
This timely policy was adopted ahead of the
fifth session of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee (INC-5), held at the
end of November, to develop a legally binding
international instrument on plastic pollution.
In its resolution, the WMA calls on countries
to “commit to a just Plastic Treaty to end
plastic pollution, address the impacts of
plastics on human and planetary health, and
consider the role of plastic products in the
health sector”.
However, there was some progress on
the global goal on adaptation to the
climate crisis. Implementation indicators
were refined in language terms and
indicators related to the education and
the health of young people were
discussed.
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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Antimicrobial resistance advocacy and events
In 2024, the focus of health policy advocacy was on addressing antimicrobial resistance
(AMR).
The UN General Assembly High-Level
Meeting (HLM) on AMR took place prior to the
September General Assembly in New York.
In the lead up to the meeting, the WMA was
engaged in negotiations on the HLM AMR
outcomes document, emphasising both the
importance of healthcare system
strengthening and the essential role of health
professionals in the fight against AMR.
AMR – Looking Towards UN General
Assembly and Beyond
The WMA and the Global Antimicrobial
Resistance Research and Development Hub
(Global AMR R&D Hub) hosted an expert
roundtable on AMR on the sidelines of the
77th
World Health Assembly in Geneva,
Switzerland in May 2024. The event brought
together more than 50 global AMR experts.
They discussed four key themes: “Access &
Innovation”, “Health Systems & Health
Workforce Education”, “Stewardship” and
“One Health”. The discussion focussed on
what participants viewed as missing from the
Zero Draft political declaration of the UN
High-Level Meeting on AMR.
From Policy to Action: Successful
Implementation of Multisectoral AMR
Programs in low-income or middle-income
countries LMICs.
In September, two days before the UN High-
Level Meeting in New York, the World
Medical Association and the International
Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions
(ICARS) hosted a side event which was
attended by politicians, AMR experts, health
professionals and researchers.
More than 60 participants shared their
experiences, lessons learned, and discussed
the urgent actions needed to scale up global
and national efforts to combat antimicrobial
resistance, to protect the health for all, and to
leave no-one behind.
United Nations General Assembly High-
Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance
WMA president Dr Lujain AlQodmani
attended the United Nations High-Level
meeting on AMR. The outcome of the one-
day meeting was the Political Declaration on
AMR. In this document all countries commit
to reduce the number of global deaths from
AMR by 10% by 2030. Most countries have
developed their own national action plans to
tackle AMR, adapted to their specific
situations. The implementation of
these action plans is key and will
be monitored closely.
On human health, the declaration
sets a more ambitious target that
at least 70% of antibiotics used
for human health globally should
belong to the WHO Access group
antibiotics. These have relatively
minimal side effects and lower
potential to cause AMR.
Furthermore, the declaration
requests investment “in the
training, development, recruitment and
retention of a competent, skilled workforce in
human, animal and plant health and the
environment”.
WMA and Global AMR R&D Hub AMR expert roundtable during the 2024 World Health Assembly.
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Health workforce advocacy
5th
round WHO Global Code of Practice
Reporting
In 2010, WHO member states adopted the
WHO Global Code of Practice on the
International Recruitment of Health
Personnel. The Code aims to regulate,
monitor, and manage the international
recruitment, mobility, and migration of health
and care professionals. It incorporates two
key governance mechanisms. First, member
states are required to submit a report on their
implementation of the Code every three
years. Second, a review of the Code’s
relevance and effectiveness is conducted
every five years through a member state-
driven process. In 2024, the fifth round of
reporting occurred, to be followed by the third
review in 2025. These milestones present
valuable opportunities for member states and
non-state actors to engage with the Code,
contribute input and evidence to enhance
both its effectiveness and implementation.
The World Medical Association (WMA) is part
of the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) for the
Third Review of the WHO Global Code of
Practice. The EAG held its first meeting in
Geneva in June 2024, where discussions
centered on the governance process for the
third review, evidence on health professional
migration, and initial considerations for the
WHO Secretariat. The second meeting took
place in the Philippines in November, with
discussion of the proposed changes and
improvements to the Code, which will be
presented to WHO member states during the
Executive Board of WHO.
Towards the Global Code of Practice
The World Medical Association together with
WEMOS, Public Services International (PSI),
Medicus Mundi International and other
partners, organized a side event on this topic
during the World Health Assembly 2024.
NCDs and Workforce Dynamics:
Empowering Tomorrow’s Health Workforce
The WMA, in collaboration with members of
the World Health Professions Alliance
(WHPA), hosted a side event at WHA77 on
this topic. Dr Jim Campbell, Director, Health
Workforce Department, WHO, emphasized
the need to adapt healthcare delivery models
to address the escalating NCD crisis. He
highlighted the importance of prioritizing
prevention and health promotion, fostering
strong teamwork across professions, and
Towards the Global Code of Practice panel discussion (Image: PSI Public
Services International)
Meeting of Expert Advisory Group for the Third Review of the
WHO Global Code of Practice, Manilla, The Philippines.
The audience agreed that WHO Code
remains highly relevant in providing
guidance in the governance of
international recruitment and health and
care workforce migration. However, there
are gaps and challenges in its
implementation that need to be
addressed. Health professionals have the
right to migrate, however the negative
impact on the health system for the source
countries needs to be mitigated.
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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ensuring the optimal distribution of tasks
within the workforce.
Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director, Department for
Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation,
and Disability, WHO, was the second keynote
speaker. She underscored the critical role of
a well-trained and adequately staffed health
workforce in combating NCDs. She noted
that a robust workforce could save millions of
lives, from conditions like hypertension,
which often remains undetected until it’s too
late. Dr Mikkelsen also stressed the
interconnected, long-term nature of NCD
management, pointing out that these
conditions cannot be addressed in isolation
and require cross-professional collaboration.
Redesigning healthcare to better respond to
NCDs, she explained, may include greater
use of digital health solutions and delivering
care in non-traditional settings, as
demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Safeguarding healthcare facilities and personnel in
areas of conflict, in accordance with international law
Following increasing numbers of attacks on
health professionals and facilities, the WMA
joined with its World Health Professions
Alliance partners when the WHPA called on
health professionals worldwide to sign this
Open letter. It called for all parties in conflicts
to safeguard health facilities and personnel,
in accordance with international laws.
WHPA: Celebrating 25 years with a new strategy
The World Health Professions Alliance
(WHPA) of which WMA is a founding
partner, marked its 25th
anniversary with a
new strategy which calls for sustainable
health workforces and strengthened health
systems.
The WHPA brings together the global
organizations that represent the world’s
dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physio-
therapists and physicians. It speaks for over
41 million health care professionals in more
than 130 countries.
“International humanitarian law requires the
active protection of healthcare facilities and
personnel, humane treatment for the wounded
and sick, and prohibits the misuse of healthcare
facilities and vehicles for military purposes.
Healthcare facilities, ambulances, and health
professionals must never be targeted.”
Dr Lujain AlQodmani, WMA President, addresses the WHPA 25th Anniversary event,
held in May 2024 on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly.
16
WMA interventions to the World Health Assembly
and the WHO Executive Board
The WMA closely follows the activities of the World Health Organization, including its
governing meetings, which take place in January and May each year. Having an official
observer status with the WHO, the WMA can submit policy statements to its Executive Board
and to the World Health Assembly.
Statements submitted to the 77th
World Health Assembly (May 2024)
• Prevention and control of non-communicable
diseases
• Antimicrobial resistance: accelerating national and
global responses
• Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to draft and
negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other
international instrument on pandemic prevention,
preparedness and response (constituency
statement)
• Global Health and Peace Initiative
• Social determinants of health
• Climate change, pollution and health (constituency
statement)
Statements submitted to the 154th
Executive
Board session (January 2024)
• Universal health coverage
• Follow-up to the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly
on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
• Antimicrobial resistance: accelerating national and global responses
• Social Determinants of Health
• Climate change and health
2024 WMA public statements, declarations and
open letters
• 2 January Open letter to Iranian authorities, in support of Dr Djalali
• 12 March Open letter calling for the safeguarding of healthcare facilities and personnel in
areas of conflict, in accordance with international law
• 26 March WMA contribution to the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against
women and girls to the UN General Assembly on women and girls in sport
• 12 June WMA Open Letter to the Gambian authorities
• 16 July WMA Statement 10th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) for a
WHO instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
• 31 October Open letter to Iranian authorities calling for abolition of corporal punishment
• 12 December WHPA Call to Invest in health professionals for high-quality primary health care
to achieve universal health coverage (UHC)
WMA Junior Doctors Network delegation to the WHO World
Health Assembly 2024
JDN representatives
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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Public Relations
WMA has issued a significant number of press releases in support of its members and when a
human rights violation in the health sector was brought to its attention. These press releases are
published on the WMA website, in the WMA social media channels and newsletter.
WMA 2024 Press releases
17.12 The World Medical Association remains deeply
concerned about the International Federation of Medical
Students Association’s suspension of its Israeli member
organization
12.12 Quality care by health professionals is a cost-
effective path to UHC: World Health Professions Alliance
05.12 WMA calls for ban on medical, nursing and
midwifery training for women in Afghanistan to be lifted
25.11 The World Medical Association urges global
commitment for a just Plastic Treaty to safeguard human
and planetary health
19.11 WMA joins call for Dr Nadezhda Buyanova’s
immediate release and for all charges against her to be
dropped
18.11 Global physician leader calls for stronger financial
and political commitments to put health at the center of
COP29 negotiations
04.11 WMA calls on Member States to adopt binding
commitments on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and
response
01.11 The World Medical Association calls on Iranian
authorities to cease corporal punishment and comply with
their international obligations on civil and political rights
23.10 The World Medical Association General Assembly
2024 in summary
21.10 Revised Declaration of Helsinki adopted by the
global medical community, strengthening ethical standards
in clinical research involving humans
18.10 Physicians urged to actively participate in
healthcare policy and health systems change to safeguard
professional autonomy: New Global Physician leader
27.09 On World Rabies Day, WVA and WMA unite to call
for “Breaking Rabies Boundaries”
24.09 WMA ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2024 –
HELSINKI
22.09 WHPA calls for more investment in the health
workforce at UN Summit of the Future
19.08 WMA calls for governments’ cooperation in
mpox public health emergency
19.08 On World Humanitarian Day, health professionals call
for protection in conflicts
10.07 WMA condemns attack on Ukraine children’s hospital
and repeats call for healthcare to be safeguarded in conflict
zones
27.06 The World Medical Association expresses its deep
concerns about the violence at the protests in Kenya
25.06. The World Medical Association calls on Gambian
authorities to urgently halt the repeal of the ban on female
genital mutilation (FGM)
26.05 New WHPA strategy champions collaboration for
sustainable health workforces
20.04 WMA Council adopts resolution on the protection of
healthcare in Israel and Gaza
19.04 WMA Stands Against Oppressive Anti-LGBTQ Laws
in Uganda
19.04 WMA calls for international solidarity in opposing UK
proposed legislation on migrants’ rights
18.04 WMA Urges Gambia to Reject Bill Lifting Ban on
Female Genital Mutilation
24.03 WMA President Expresses Solidarity Following Terror
Attack in Moscow
12.03 Health professionals call for protection in conflicts
03.03 World Medical Association Clarifies Position on
Collective Action and Condemns Government Interference
in Korean Medical Association
01.03 World Medical Association Stands Firm in Support of
Korean Medical Association Amid Government-Induced
Crisis
16.02 WMA Takes Stand Against Humanitarian Violations,
Calls for Urgent Action in Gaza
15.01 Global Collaboration for Ethical Medical Research:
WMA, AMA, and PAV Unite in Vatican City
03.01 Medical Ethics Under Threat: Physician Leaders Urge
International Response for Dr. Djalali’s Release
18
Constituent Membership
Physicians around the world are typically
represented by the national and territorial
medical associations of their regions. Such
associations are broadly representative of
the physicians of their country by virtue of
their membership, with their voting
membership being limited to physicians and
medical students. They are not subject to or
directed by any office or agency of
government.
The WMA currently has a total of 115
members as of December 2024. There is a
detailed membership list on the WMA
website.
Benefits of membership
1. Recognition and acceptance as a
member of an international organization
such as the WMA lends the power of a
global community to a National Medical
Association (NMA). This underlines the
importance and relevance of the NMA.
2. The WMA is in official relations with
United Nations agencies such as the
World Health Organization, which gives
NMAs and Associate Members access to
these international bodies.
3. By participating in debates with
colleagues from all over the world, NMAs
and Associate Members have the
opportunity to collaborate on ethical
guidance and leadership in health care.
4. Information and knowledge can be
sourced from the WMA, which can
contribute to the optimal efficacy of NMAs
and individual physicians.
5. NMAs and Associate Members can make
use of the WMA’s products and services.
Associate Membership
Associate membership is limited to
physicians (as defined in the WMA Bylaws)
and medical students who are properly
enrolled in a recognised medical school, who
have applied for such membership and who
have paid the amount of dues prescribed for
such members.
Associate membership is available to these
individual physicians and medical students,
whether or not their National Medical
Association is a Constituent Member of the
World Medical Association.
The WMA currently has more than 2,000
active Associate Members as of December
2024. The registration page is available on
the WMA website.
Benefits of membership
1. The privilege of attending and
participating in WMA annual assemblies.
2. Introductions to professional leaders in
your field and opportunities to visit
medical and health institutions abroad.
3. Information on medical meetings abroad.
4. A service department which will assist
you in meeting your colleagues both at
home and abroad.
5. A membership certificate for display
6. WMA secretariat consultation, service
and small meeting center.
7. Preferred access to the WMA Education
Portal for Continuing Medical Education
and Continuing Professional Develop-
ment.
8. Publications of the World Medical
Association.
9. Access to internal discussion documents
on policy development.
WMA 2024 Annual Report
19
Financial Report
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEARS
FOR THE YEARS 2023 AND 2022 2023 AND 2022
*Ukraine Medical Help Fund, was founded in March 2022, by the European Forum of Medical Associations (EFMA), the Standing
Committee of European Doctors (CPME) and the World Medical Association, in cooperation with the Polish Chamber of Doctors
and Dentists, the Slovakian Medical Association and the Slovakian Medical Chamber, the Japan Medical Association, the French
Medical Association and the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony. The primary purpose of the fund is to provide medical
supplies and other equipment to maintain health care in Ukraine in cooperation with the Ukrainian Medical Association as well
as member and partner organizations in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries.
Total donations have accumulated to 4 252 856,03 Euros (49 807,77 Euros were received in 2024). Using these donations,
medical supplies have been purchased and delivered for 2 705 183,09 Euros (330 727,09 Euros were used in 2024). The fund
is still live and further donations are welcomed.
20
WMA Leaders
WMA Secretariat
Dr Otmar KLOIBER, Secretary General
Dr Julia TAINIJOKI-SEYER, Senior Medical
Advisor
Clarisse DELORME, Senior Advocacy Advisor
Yoonsun PARK (Sunny), Head of Operations
Magda MIHAILA, Communications and Media
Manager
Janice BLONDEAU, Communications and Media
Manager
Roderic DENNETT, Spanish Translator
Marie FERREIRA, Technical Assistant
Anne-Marie DELAGE, Office Secretary
Marielle GUIRLET, PhD. WMA Archive Coordinator
Radhia SMAALI, Maintenance
WMA 2024 Annual Report
21
World Medical Journal
22
Future Meetings
229th WMA Council
Session, Montevideo 2025
Start date: April 24, 2025
End date: April 26, 2025
Location: Montevideo,Uruguay
WMA General Assembly, Porto 2025
Start date: October 8, 2025
End date: October 11, 2025
Location: Porto, Portugal
17th World Conference in
Bioethics, Medical Ethics & Health Law
Start date: November 24, 2025
End date: November 26, 2025
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
232nd WMA Council Session, Belgrade
Start date: April 23, 2026
End date: April 25, 2026
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
WMA General Assembly 2026 in the Netherlands
Start date: October 7, 2026
End date: October 10, 2026
Location: The Netherlands
WMA 2024 Annual Report
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