Helsinki, Finland – 16-19 October 2024
The 75th General Assembly of the World Medical Association (WMA), held in Helsinki from October 16-19, 2024, gathered delegates from 50 national medical associations to address pressing issues in global health and ethics. The President of the World Veterinary Association (WVA) attended the landmark event, emphasizing the importance of inter-professional collaboration and the One Health approach.
During the General Assembly, the WVA President engaged with WMA leadership, including outgoing and incoming presidents, the Council Chair, and the Secretary General. Discussions centered on updating the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the WVA and WMA to reflect modern challenges and align more closely with One Health which integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
In a formal address to the WMA Council, the WVA President highlighted the critical role veterinarians play in addressing zoonotic diseases and other shared health concerns. The WMA leadership expressed a strong willingness to deepen collaboration, building on existing joint initiatives such as the annual Rabies Day press releases. Physicians from various countries also showed interest in partnering with veterinary organizations in their regions.
“We share many common goals,” the WVA President said. “By working together, we can more effectively address the interconnected challenges of global health, including zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental sustainability.”
The WVA President extended an invitation for WMA members to attend the World Veterinary Association Congress (WVAC) 2025 in Washington, D.C., fostering continued dialogue and collaboration.
Adoption of the Revised Declaration of Helsinki
A highlight of the assembly was the unanimous adoption of the revised Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Participants, marking 60 years since the original declaration. The 2024 revision, following a rigorous 30-month process involving representatives from 19 countries, introduced substantive updates to ethical standards in medical research.
The revisions focused on two key areas, Participant-Centered Inclusion, Respect, and Protection, and Research Beneficence and Value
The adoption of the revised declaration underscores the WMA’s commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards in medical research, an effort that aligns closely with the WVA’s advocacy for scientific rigor in One Health initiatives.
