Thursday , 2 April 2026 | Issue 347

Smiling girls, Nepal

Thursday, 2 April

World Autism Awareness Day 2026

On the occasion on World Autism Day, WHO joins families and communities worldwide in recognizing the dignity and worth of all autistic people and advocating for policies that promote neuroinclusive environments in health, education, workplaces, sports and other sectors.

Globally, 1 in 127 people is diagnosed with autism, a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication and behaviour. Autism is among the top 10 brain health conditions contributing to health loss globally.

Despite international human rights conventions, autistic people still face stigma, discrimination and barriers to participation. Access to timely, quality health care and support services remains limited, driving inequalities across the life course. Addressing these challenges requires sustained action and greater investment in inclusive policies and services that uphold the rights of autistic people.

Evidence shows that early identification, inclusive education and nurturing care in families and communities can significantly improve health, well-being and participation.

Join us for a webinar on April 27 to mark the launch of a new WHO caregiver well-being training for children with developmental delays and neurodevelopmental conditions, which highlights practical approaches to supporting caregivers and strengthening inclusive care.

More information here:

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/04/02/default-calendar/world-autism-awareness-day-2026

5-7 April

One Health Summit

The One Health Summit will take place in Lyon, France, with the High-Level Summit on 7 April, coinciding with World Health Day.

Hosted by the French Government as one of the flagship events of the G7 French Presidency, the Summit will convene Heads of State and government, international organizations, scientists, civil society, youth and local actors to advance global action on One Health.

The Summit will highlight the interdependence of human, animal, plant and ecosystem health, and the need for coordinated, science-based approaches to address shared health threats. It will showcase the Quadripartite partnership between, FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH, as well as the role of the WHO Academy and WHO’s work across country, regional and global levels.

With WHO assuming the Chair of the Quadripartite on 8 April 2026, the Summit represents a key moment to translate political commitment into concrete, multisectoral action on prevention, preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, sustainable food systems and environmental health, helping to build more resilient and equitable health systems for humans, animals and the planet.

One Health

One Health Initiative

WHO Academy

One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP)
Scientific advisory panel to the Quadripartite. The team hosts the OHHLEP Secretariat.

The WHO Quadripartite secretariat for One Health

Tuesday, 7 April

World Health Day 2026

On World Health Day 2026, WHO unites and mobilizes the world under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.” celebrating the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet. The year‑long campaign spotlights both scientific achievements and the multilateral cooperation needed to turn evidence into action.

More details and events here: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2026

7-9 April

Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres: collaborating for a healthier future

Lyon, France | Hybrid event

With the theme “Collaborating for a Healthier Future”, the First Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres (WHOCC) will bring together global experts from hundreds of institutions designated as WHO Collaborating Centres across more than 80 countries, alongside WHO leadership and technical focal points to strengthen scientific and technical collaboration in support of the Fourteenth General programme of Work (GPW 14) and WHO’s commitment to Health for All.

Organized by WHO and held in the sidelines of the One Health Summit 2026, hosted by the Government of France, the Forum will provide a platform for dialogue, reflection, and forward-looking collaboration.

Collaborating Centres provide strategic, scientific and technical support to WHO’s programmes at global, regional and country levels. Through these partnerships, WHO strengthens multilateral collaboration, advances evidence-informed health policies, and promotes coordinated action across countries and regions to address global health priorities.

The Forum will be conducted in a hybrid format, with participants attending both in person and virtually.

See the more detailed Provisional Agenda Global WHOCC Forum

Additional information here:

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/04/07/default-calendar/global-forum-of-who-collaborating-centres-collaborating-for-a-healthier-future

Other WHO events and products of interest

Film screening and discussion on education for a balance between animal, plant and human health - One Health World Summit, Lyon, France

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/04/06/default-calendar/film-screening-and-discussion-on-education-for-a-balance-between-animal--plant-and-human-health---one-health-world-summit

The Frontline Shift, a podcast by WHO in the occupied Palestinian territory, examines one of the most complex emergency health responses in the world: Gaza. The third episode https://x.com/WHOoPt/status/2039607535980745049, we discuss what it has taken to keep primary health care going in #Gaza under relentless pressure. Previous episodes can be watched here: Patient evacuation during conflict and Supporting rehabilitation needs

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