LiverWELL participates in global consultations on WHO draft resolution

In April, LiverWELL welcomed the opportunity to participate in the global consultation sessions on the draft resolution Steatotic liver disease: a missing piece in the global noncommunicable disease response. This invitation reflects growing recognition of LiverWELL’s contribution to global policy discussions, and our emerging role in representing Australian perspectives.

These consultations were supported by the ISGlobal Public Health Liver Group, together with the Global Think-tank on Steatotic Liver Disease, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, and the World Obesity Federation (WOF). We joined global leaders and advocates who highlighted the importance of strong Member State support ahead of the World Health Assembly vote in May.

Steatotic liver disease remains under recognised within global noncommunicable disease (NCD) policy, despite being closely linked to other conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and its potential to progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. With WHO Member States set to vote during the 79th World Health Assembly (18-23 May 2026), this is a critical moment for action.

In response, LiverWELL has released a public position statement calling on Australia to vote YES. Supported by expert clinicians, researchers and consumers engaged through LiverWELL’s MASLD Action Network and related initiatives, the statement calls for Australian leadership to embed steatotic liver disease, the most prevalent liver disease in Australia and globally, within the global noncommunicable disease agenda.

The position statement supports action to:
• embed steatotic liver disease in national health policy
• strengthen prevention and early detection through primary care
• address inequities in access to care
• strengthen cross sector action on shared NCD risk factors
• invest in awareness, research and innovation

Australia’s vote matters.
#VoteYesonSLD