On May 22,2017 the 70th World Health Assembly (WHA) began its work in Palais des Nations in Geneva.

At its opening the WHO Director-General M.Chan expressed deep concern over attacks on medical personnel and health facilities in countries with ongoing conflicts, and stressed upon the need to mobilize the efforts of Governments and NGOs to address the most pressing problems in health care, namely chronic noncommunicable diseases, tuberculosis, Ebola virus, antimicrobial resistance etc.

Dr. U.Suprun, the Head of the Delegation of Ukraine at the 70th WHA, Acting Minister of Health of Ukraine participated in the general discussion on May 23, 2017 and, among other things, drew attention to the ongoing Russian aggression which gravely affects the public health system in Ukraine. She stressed upon the damaging of numerous health facilities in Ukraine in defiance by the Russian Federation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2286. At the same time, U.Suprun highlighted the positive changes in the health system in Ukraine, despite the aggression of the Russian Federation, in the context of upgrading the ability to stop the spread of preventable diseases, as well as emphasized the importance of early adoption by the Ukrainian Parliament of the key legislation in the field of health care reforms in Ukraine. She expressed hope for further active engagement of international partners with all branches of the Ukrainian Government to ensure the implementation of health care reforms.

During the session the elections for the post of the next WHO Director-General took place. Following a vote Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been elected and he will assume his duties on July 1, 2017.

The Assembly will work till May 31, 2017.