MSIF Brings the Voice of the Global MS Community to the World Health Assembly

The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) played a leading role at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, bringing together partners from across the neurological community to advocate for stronger action on brain health, neurological conditions, and people-centred health systems.

Throughout the Assembly, MSIF delivered its own constituency statement on neurological conditions and brain health, supported and endorsed a series of additional constituency statements on key health policy issues, contributed to discussions on noncommunicable diseases, primary health care, sustainable development, healthy ageing, social connection, and health system financing, and helped elevate the importance of brain health on the global agenda.

Delivering a global call to action for brain health

A major highlight of 2026 World Health Assembly was MSIF’s role in organising and hosting its first official World Health Assembly side event.

Together with the OneNeurology Partnership, the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), and with the support of the Italian Ministry of Health, MSIF co-hosted the event “Delivering on Brain Health: Implementing IGAP and the Political Declaration on NonCommunicable Diseases – – OneNeurology Perspective” at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

Neurological conditions are now the leading cause of disability worldwide and affect more than three billion people globally. Despite their growing impact, neurological conditions continue to receive insufficient attention within many national health plans and noncommunicable disease strategies.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Mario Alberto Battaglia, Chair of MSIF, highlighted how lessons from multiple sclerosis can help drive broader neurological policy development:

“Multiple sclerosis can serve as a practical blueprint for how Member States can adopt or update national neurology plans by 2030, fully aligned with the WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP)”.

His remarks reflected one of the event’s central messages: that effective models already exist and can help countries strengthen neurological care, improve access to services, and deliver on their commitments under IGAP.

The event brought together government representatives, WHO officials, patient organisations, healthcare professionals, and civil society leaders to discuss how countries can translate global commitments into meaningful action.

Opening the event, Abdelfattah Ibrahim, Chair of the OneNeurology Partnership and Head of Communications, Campaigns and Advocacy at MSIF, highlighted the urgent need to move from commitment to implementation.

Participants discussed practical steps countries can take to implement the WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) 2022–2031, strengthen national neurology plans, improve access to diagnosis and treatment, and integrate neurological conditions into universal health coverage and NCD strategies.

The event called on Member States to:

• Develop and fund national neurology and brain health plans aligned with IGAP.
• Integrate neurological conditions into universal health coverage and NCD strategies.
• Strengthen accountability for implementation.
• Ensure people living with neurological conditions are involved in decision-making.

The discussion reinforced the growing momentum behind brain health and highlighted the importance of collaboration between governments, WHO, healthcare professionals, researchers, and people with lived experience.

Watch the event recording here:

Delivering a constituency statement on neurological conditions and brain health

MSIF also led and delivered its own constituency statement under Agenda Item 12.1 on the follow-up to the Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases.

The statement was developed and coordinated by MSIF and brought together a broad coalition of organisations working across neurology, ageing, psychology, medical imaging, rehabilitation, patient advocacy, and oral health. Core co-signatories included Alzheimer’s Disease International, the International Bureau for Epilepsy, the International Society of Radiology, the International Union of Psychological Science, and the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, with support from organisations including the European Federation of Neurological Associations, HelpAge International, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, the International Federation on Ageing, the International Progressive MS Alliance, the OneNeurology Partnership, and the World Federation of NeuroRehabilitation.

Delivered by Dr Lydia Makaroff, Chief Executive of MSIF, the statement welcomed the Political Declaration on NCDs and mental health and called for integrated, person-centred approaches across the life course that include neurological conditions, mental health conditions, and oral diseases.

The coalition highlighted the challenges faced by people living with neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, epilepsy, headaches, and multiple sclerosis. Many continue to experience delays in diagnosis and unequal access to medical imaging, treatment, rehabilitation, care, and support. The statement also recognised the growing challenge of multimorbidity and the need for coordinated support over time.

Importantly, the coalition called on Member States to adopt or update national neurology and neurorehabilitation plans by 2030 and to integrate neurological conditions within national NCD strategies and universal health coverage, including age-responsive primary health care.

The statement reinforced the central message of MSIF’s wider advocacy at the Assembly: that neurological conditions and brain health must be recognised as an essential part of global efforts to address non-communicable diseases and strengthen health systems.

Watch Lydia delivering the statement here:

Advocating for people-centred health systems

As part of civil society coalitions, MSIF supported constituency statements calling on WHO and Member States to strengthen primary health care, integrate NCD prevention and management into health services, and ensure meaningful involvement of people and communities in health decision-making.

The statements highlighted the need for health systems that are designed around people rather than individual diseases, with better integration across services, stronger accountability, and measures that reflect quality of care, lived experience, and health outcomes.

MSIF also supported calls to ensure that implementation of the Political Declaration on NCDs reflects the realities of global population ageing. As populations age around the world, health systems must be prepared to support people to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives through prevention, timely diagnosis, rehabilitation, palliative care, and coordinated care pathways.

Supporting action on health equity and sustainable development

The Assembly discussions took place against a backdrop of growing concern that the world is not on track to achieve many of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

MSIF joined partners in calling for greater investment in resilient primary health care systems, stronger health financing, meaningful social participation, and equitable access to health services and technologies. The statements emphasised that health is fundamental to economic resilience, social development, gender equality, and wellbeing.

MSIF also supported discussions on the WHO Commission on Social Connection, recognising the important role that social relationships, community participation, and social inclusion play in mental wellbeing and quality of life. For many people affected by MS, social connection can be an important source of support, resilience, and belonging.

Looking ahead

The 2026 World Health Assembly demonstrated growing recognition that neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, must be part of broader discussions on noncommunicable diseases, healthy ageing, primary health care, and sustainable development.

For MSIF, the next challenge is turning global commitments into national action. Building on the momentum from 2026 World Health Assembly, the WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP), and the recommendations of the 2024 Brain Health: Time Matters report, MSIF is developing a Brain Health Toolkit to support member organisations in advocating for stronger neurological care and brain health policies in their countries.

As part of this work, MSIF will convene a dedicated workshop on brain health advocacy at its Global Networking Forum, taking place in London and online from 6–8 October 2026. Bringing together MS organisations and people with lived experience, the workshop will explore how countries can translate global commitments into practical policy change and measurable improvements in care.

Through its advocacy, partnerships, and leadership within the global neurological community, MSIF will continue working to ensure that the needs of people affected by MS, NMOSD, MOGAD, and other neurological conditions worldwide are reflected in international and national health policy.