Geneva, May 14 : The 61st World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held from May 19 to 24 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The Health Assembly is the annual meeting of the World Health Organization's (WHO) 193 Member States and it is the supreme decision-making body of WHO.

The Health Assembly sets the policy for the organization and approves the budget.

Issues to be discussed at the 61st meeting include pandemic influenza preparedness, sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines, poliomyelitis, the harmful use of alcohol, female genital mutilation, climate change and human health, the International Health Regulations, counterfeit medical products, smallpox virus stock, and public health, innovation and intellectual property.

Two guest speakers will address the Health Assembly on May 20th afternoon.

Princess Muna Al Hussein of Jordan, WHO's Patron for Nursing and Midwifery in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, actively involved in the fight against diseases in his country and outside.

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan is scheduled to address the World Health Assembly on May 19. (ANI)