Global Liver Institute Celebrates Historic Moment at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva
May 21, 2026 – Geneva, Switzerland – Today, at the Seventy-Ninth World Health Assembly Plenary session, member states formally adopted the landmark resolution “Steatotic liver disease: a missing piece in the global noncommunicable disease response”, marking a pivotal moment for the global liver community.
The adoption of this resolution by the World Health Organization formally recognizes steatotic liver disease (SLD) as a critical component of the global noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda. It underscores the strong connections between liver disease and major NCD risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction—reinforcing the urgent need for integrated prevention and care strategies.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Armenia, Burundi, Chad, Chile, China, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nigeria, Palestine, Paraguay, Qatar, Romania, the Russian Federation, Spain, Tunisia, and the United Republic of Tanzania, reflecting a broad, diverse international commitment to elevating SLD as a global public health priority.
“Every day, we impact the lives of countless people living with liver disease. The formal adoption of the resolution in Geneva is a crucial step for the global community and marks the beginning of what is yet to come in the field,” says Larry R. Holden, President and CEO of Global Liver Institute. “Recognizing SLD within the NCD framework enables us to translate global commitment into national policy integration, prevention strategies, and measurable impact for patients and communities across the world.”
By 2050, steatotic liver disease is expected to increase by 38%, yet liver health continues to lack sufficient visibility and funding within many national public health agendas. Today’s milestone represents a critical turning point in addressing this gap.
“This achievement is a proud example of the impact of inclusive global collaboration,” said GLI Program Director Giacomo Donnini. “Patients, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and industry leaders came together with one shared goal: to ensure steatotic liver disease receives the global attention it deserves.”
Global Liver Institute extends its sincere gratitude to all Member States who supported this resolution, with particular recognition to Egypt for its leadership in advancing this critical initiative on the global stage.
While adoption of the resolution marks a historic achievement, it also initiates the next phase of work. A World Health Assembly resolution serves as a formal mandate for the WHO Secretariat to begin a multi-stage process to develop guidelines, roadmaps, and action plans; typically over the course of one to three years. This process will be essential in translating global recognition into actionable policies at the national level.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to working with governments, civil society, and international partners to support the integration of steatotic liver disease into national health systems and to advance coordinated, cross-sector approaches to NCD prevention and care.
