.png?sfvrsn=6d0e27cd_1 "Partnership for Change - v7 (1)")
Co-hosts: Government of Sweden; PMNCH, WHO-HRP, Fondation Botnar, World Vision International, UNICEF, SheDecides, MSI
Adolescence is a transformative stage of life that presents unique opportunities to shape the future and prosperity of societies. The 1.3 billion adolescents worldwide today make up one-sixth of the world's population (WHO, 2023) and represent a significant demographic whose health and well-being are crucial for the overall development and sustainability of communities.
Yet nearly 1 million adolescents die annually from mostly preventable causes, and mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10–19 years (WHO, 2023). Nearly every fifth girl aged 15–19 gives birth in low- and middle-income countries before reaching adulthood, many in the context of child, early and forced marriages and sexual violence.
Every year, millions of women and girls are affected by digital abuse and technology-facilitated violence. Adolescents in humanitarian and crisis settings face disproportionate risks, including sexual violence, early and forced marriage, and barriers to essential health and social services (UNICEF, 2025).
The Adolescent Well-being Investment Case demonstrates that investments in adolescent health and well-being yield significant returns per dollar invested (PMNCH, 2024). Despite this, adolescents remain underprioritized in national budgets and global financing flows, creating a persistent gap between evidence and investment.
At the same time, growing pushback against adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, combined with reduced funding, reinforces the need to safeguard these rights and uphold commitments to young people. Without stronger accountability mechanisms, these barriers will persist, jeopardizing progress towards the SDGs.
The 79th World Health Assembly presents a timely and critical opportunity to bring together governments, multilateral agencies, civil society, youth leaders and global health partners to review the latest evidence, discuss policy solutions and strengthen commitments to advancing adolescent health and well-being.
This event aims to:
- Highlight new evidence and global trends related to adolescent health and well-being.
- Examine areas of progress and stagnation, including adolescents most affected by inequities, and identify priority gaps in policies, services, financing and implementation capacity.
- Explore practical solutions and system responses.
- Share good practices in translating global guidance and evidence into effective policies, programmes and investments for adolescents.
- Strengthen partnerships and political momentum to accelerate action at global and country levels.
- Ensure meaningful adolescent and youth engagement, amplifying their voices, needs and perspectives.
- Identify concrete next steps and partnership opportunities to translate evidence into sustained country-level action.
The dialogues will be organized in-person in Geneva and live-streamed to enable virtual participation. Interpretation will be provided.