The Group of Friends of the WHO Academy was launched today on the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly. The event was co-hosted by founding members: France, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar and Rwanda, represented by their minister or vice minister of health.

With 30 Member States in attendance, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed his gratitude to the founding Friends, stating, "As a key initiative of the WHO Transformation that began in 2018, the WHO Academy will be a vital asset for Member States, and a game changer in the way WHO supports countries in building capacities. The support of the Group of Friends will enable the WHO Academy to drive lifelong learning in health as a global priority."