At the 78th World Health Assembly, World Health Organisation (WHO) Member States have officially adopted the first-ever Resolution on Rare Diseases on May 26, 2025 — a landmark achievement advancing equity, visibility, and inclusion for the 300+ million people affected by rare diseases globally.
The Resolution urges governments to integrate rare-disease policies in national health plans, expand newborn screening and timely diagnosis, and ensure affordable access to medicines and assistive technologies under the framework of universal health coverage. It also encourages investment in digital tools, patient registries and centres of excellence, while promoting the active participation of patient organisations in policy design.
CRDN is proud to have rallied behind this global call, and applauds Rare Diseases International for spearheading the #Resolution4Rare campaign as well as the leadership of Egypt and Spain, the 41 co-sponsoring countries, and 275 civil society organizations who united to make this possible. It is a true testament to the strength of international cooperation.
“This Resolution reflects what rare disease communities across the world have been calling for – coordinated policies, earlier diagnoses, and equitable access to care and support,” said Svenja Espenhahn, Manager of CRDN. “It aligns strongly with our work here in Canada to put collaboration – across disciplines, sectors, and geographies – at the heart of improving the lives of those affected by rare diseases.”