The structure of global health diplomacy and the significance of the WHO in international policy

Konrad Brodaczewski

The structure of global health diplomacy and the significance of the WHO in international policy

Konrad Brodaczewski

Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the mechanisms of international cooperation in the field of health care, to assess the effectiveness of global institutions, and to examine the role of the World Health Organization in shaping policy in this sector. Structural, comparative, and content analysis methods were applied, including the examination of political documents and the financial flows of the World Health Organization. The structure of global health diplomacy, the principles of international interaction, and the activities of key actors – including the governments of the United States of America, China, and the European Union, as well as international organisations, non governmental initiatives, the private sector, and academic centres – were studied. Ukraine’s participation in the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access initiative and its cooperation with the World Health Organization were also analysed. It was found that the World Health Organization performs a key coordinating function; however, its effectiveness is limited by political pressure from the United States of America, China, and the European Union, financial dependency, bureaucratisation of procedures, and communication challenges during crises. It was recommended to increase the proportion of mandatory contributions, establish an independent oversight body, reform the governing structures, and enhance mechanisms for rapid response. Structural reforms are necessary to improve the effectiveness of the World Health Organization, including: increasing the share of mandatory contributions to the organisation’s budget to reduce dependence on earmarked donor funding; establishing an independent oversight body with a mandate to monitor the transparency of decision-making; improving emergency response procedures by introducing clear standards for promptly informing member states about disease outbreaks; and reforming the World Health Organization’s governing bodies to strengthen the participation of low- and middle-income countries. These measures would contribute to enhancing the organisation’s autonomy and its capacity to respond effectively to global health challenges. The findings of the study may be applied to strengthen global health governance and improve international security

Keywords

coordination of activities; pandemic experience; implementation; conflict of interest; geopolitical influence

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Suggested citation

Brodaczewski, K. (2025). The structure of global health diplomacy and the significance of the WHO in international policy. Foreign Affairs, 34(2), 113-125. https://doi.org/10.59214/2663-2675.35(2).2025.113