World Health Assembly Resolution on Rare Diseases

The WHA Resolution on Rare Diseases, Resolution “Rare Diseases: a Global Health Priority for Equity and Inclusion”, was adopted on 24 May, 2025!

about the wha resolution on rare diseases

The World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution on Rare Diseases is an official policy tool that was unanimously adopted by the World Health Assembly in Geneva on 24 May, 2025.

It was sponsored by Egypt and Spain and co-sponsored by 39 other UN Member States (Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, France, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iraq, Ireland, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Somalia, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and Vanuatu).

Why a WHA Resolution?

Persons Living with a Rare Disease continue to face challenges including delays in diagnosis, limited access to treatments and care, and financial burdens. A WHA Resolution on Rare Diseases will aim to address these challenges through a comprehensive global framework that includes raising awareness, improving diagnosis, enhancing access to care and treatment, and fostering research and development of therapies.

The WHA Resolution on Rare Diseases:

recognizes rare diseases as a global health priority at the highest level
has the potential to improve diagnosis, treatment, care, and support for PLWRD

how will it make an impact?

The Resolution has the power to make an impact at the national and regional levels. While this impact will not be the same from one country to the next, the Resolution has the potential to improve the lives of Persons Living with a Rare Disease (PLWRD) in every country.

what does the resolution say?

The Resolution is an 8-page document. The first 4 pages tell the story of rare disease care and progress over recent years and lays out important assumptions for the rest of the document (i.e., definition of a rare disease, common challenges). The last 4 pages are the core of the document: this section explains the actions that each Member State and the World Health Organization (WHO) are being asked to take.

For more information about these actions, please see our WHA Resolution Explainer.

what is the global action plan on rare diseases?

The Resolution requests the WHO to develop a 10-year Global Action Plan on Rare Diseases. A Global Action Plan is a strategic, coordinated framework for addressing global health challenges through collaborative efforts among countries, NGOs and other stakeholders. It sets global targets and goals, outlines the responsibilities of WHO, Member States and partners, and includes indicators and benchmarks for tracking progress. A Global Action Plan ensures accountability, guidance and support, and collaboration.

what role will rdi and its members play now?

With the right resources and opportunities, we can provide:

a strong collective voice for PLWRD, cohesion across regions, articulation of regional priorities, and insight into local realities

what happens next?

The adoption of the Resolution was just the beginning of a long journey. In order to ensure real impact, we need sufficient, sustainable resources and a comprehensive engagement plan in collaboration with NSAs, relevant stakeholders, communities, and civil society.

Here are the key next steps:

Timeline showing arrow marked "Member States implement WHA Resolution" and dates Sep-Dec 2025 - RDI Regional Task Forces launched, 2026-2028 WHO drafts 10-year GAPRD, Consultation on the GAPRD, WHA 2028 Draft GAPRD submitted for adoption at WHA, Progress report 1 submitted, WHA 2030 Progress Report 2 submitted

how can i be involved?

RDI and its members and partners will work together with the Coalition for Advocacy in Rare Disease Equity (CARE) to ensure that the WHA Resolution has real impact for Persons Living with a Rare Disease across the world. We invite PLWRD-led associations, civil society organizations and academic institutions to join our Coalition for Advocacy in Rare Disease Equity, or to participate in our regional task forces. For more information on how you can get involved, contact us.