In 2017-18, MOPAN, the Multilateral Organisation Performance Assessment Network, assessed the performance of the World Health Organization (WHO). The assessment looked at WHO’s organisational effectiveness (strategic, operational, relationship and performance aspects) and the results it achieved against its objectives. This was the third MOPAN assessment of WHO; the previous assessments were conducted in 2010 and 2013.
Over the 70 years since its founding, WHO seeks to remain fit for purpose in the increasingly complex global health environment. In 2011, WHO started a far-reaching reform agenda to improve the organisation’s overall performance and accountability. This reform aimed to address the changing public health needs of the world’s population going forward in the 21st century. Since 2018, WHO has continued the drive for improvement through an ambitious transformation agenda that linked to its 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13). During the time frame of this MOPAN assessment and following the election of a new Director-General in July 2017, a transitionary period commenced. MOPAN sought to examine how the organisation translated strategic intent into evidence of implementation. The assessment considered evidence from GPW13 and from the previous General Programme of Work, GPW12. It focused primarily on the achievements of targets in GPW12.
