The 158th Session of the Executive Board of World Health Organization (WHO) was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 2nd to 7th, 2026. Invited by the WHO, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) delegated Vice President Oleksandr Samsonov, Executive Committee Members Vitalii Samsonov, Inderjit Singh, and Georgette Young to participate in the session.

The session addressed a series of agenda items, including but not limited to health emergency prevention, preparedness and response, communicable diseases, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector, as well as WHO’s budget and finance matters and governance reform.

During the session, Dr. Inderjit Singh, Executive Committee Member of WFAS, submitted an oral statement. He proposed that traditional medicine offers accessible, cost-effective, preventive care for vulnerable populations. Acupuncture and moxibustion including encompass therapies, proved effective in preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care, contributing substantially to the goal of “Better Health for All by 2030.” Dr. Singh recommended that WHO collaborate with organizations like WFAS to develop standardized global guidelines for traditional medicine research, education, and clinical practice.

Executive Committee Member Inderjit Singh in conversation with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Vice President Oleksandr Samsonov and Executive Committee Member Vitalii Samsonov studied global trends and recent developments in the health sector, gaining insights into the current status and achievements of national health systems in various countries. They also engaged in productive dialogues with organizations, including the Traditional, Complementary, Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) Coalition and etc. These exchanges helped refine strategies and implementation approaches for the further global promotion of acupuncture.

As a non-governmental organization in official relations with WHO, WFAS has been committed to advancing international standards, education, and clinical norms for acupuncture. WFAS will continue to promote the deeper integration of acupuncture and traditional medicine into global health strategies, contributing to building a global community of health for all.

Group photo of delegates