Northern Ireland were elected to the executive board. Harsh Vardhan of India became the chairman of the executive board. Multiple countries, led by the United States, called for the reinstatement of Taiwan's observer status in protest against Chinese pressure. On May 25, delegates reached a consensus to hold a special session in November 2021 to consider the International Treaty for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. 2021: Seventy-fourth WHA The 74th World Health Assembly took place virtually on 24 May-1 June 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 event focused on the theme, "Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world". 2021: WHA Special Session The WHA gathered for a special session (only the second in the history of the WHO) on 29 November 2021, to draft and negotiate an International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response. Controversies Taiwan was invited as an observer to the WHA for 8 years between 2008 and 2016, under the name "Chinese Taipei". However, since the 71st WHA in 2017, Chinese pressure has prevented Taiwan's participation in the WHA. Representatives from many countries, including the U.S. secretary of health and human services Alex Azar, have voiced support for Taiwan's inclusion in the Assembly in opposition to China's coercion and threats. See also United Nations General Assembly resolutions United Nations Security Council resolutions Notes and references External links World Health Assembly documents World Health Organization Recurring events established in 1948 Organizations established in 1948 Public health Health policy United Nations organizations based in Geneva Organizations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic