The 72nd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) took place from 20-28 May 2019 in Geneva.This annual introductory briefing for WHA delegates and other participants aimed to maximise participation of a wide-range of stakeholders in the Assembly’s work by highlighting its relevance and welcoming WHO and other experts involved in selected key issues. This year's edition focused on the implications of the WHO transformation process, including WHO’s financing needs and its work with partners. The programme also provided briefings on the following issues, among others: health emergencies, Universal Health Coverage and the UN High Level Meeting in September 2019, the Nagoya protocol and its implications for public health, the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines and other health-related technologies, and antimicrobial resistance.