Obesity affects more than one billion people worldwide and remains a leading cause of chronic disease and premature death. To address this growing global challenge, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a guideline on the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and GLP-1/GIP dual agonists, for adults living with obesity.
Join us at the virtual launch event in a webinar hosted by WHO in collaboration with the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on 1 December 2025 at 16:00 CET. This event will bring together WHO leadership, Ministers of Health, global experts and civil society to raise awareness and promote the adoption of this new standard in chronic obesity care. The webinar is intended for a wide audience, including policy-makers, expert advisers, and technical and programme staff in ministries and organizations involved in the design, implementation and scale-up of obesity prevention and management.
The guideline marks a significant shift in how obesity is managed globally. It recognizes obesity as a chronic, complex disease that requires lifelong care and positions GLP-1 therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy that combines medication, behavioral support focused on a healthy diet and physical activity, and long-term follow-up. While these therapies represent a breakthrough in obesity treatment, medicine alone will not solve the problem. Ensuring equitable access and strengthening health systems will be essential to prevent widening health disparities.
Agenda
Co-chairs
- Dr Luz de Regil Director, Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, WHO and Dr Kirsten Bibbins Domingo Editor-in-Chief, JAMA
Moderator
- Dr Gaya Manori Gamhewage, Director, Department of Communication, WHO
Welcoming
- Dr Luz De Regil Director NFS, WHO and Dr Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, Editor-in-Chief, JAMA
Presentation: WHO guideline on the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for the treatment of obesity in adults
- Dr Francesca Celletti, Senior Advisor Obesity, Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, WHO and Dr. Nicola Magrini, Unit head for Innovation, Evidence synthesis and Clinical research, University Hospital, Bologna, Italy, Co-Chair of the Guidelines Development Group
Comments: GLP-1 and inclusion in the essential medicine
- Mr Deus Mubangizi, Director, Medicines and Health Products Policies and Standards Department, WHO
Panel discussion
- Ms Jeanette Hunter General Primary Health Care at the National Department of Health (NDoH) of South Africa, and Co-Chair of the Guidelines Development Group.
- Dr Karen Sealey MD, MPH Chair, Trinidad & Tobago NCD Alliance, Director, Healthy Caribbean Coalition, and Director, Interamerican Heart Foundation
- Dr Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, Editor-in-Chief, JAMA
- Ms Johanna Ralston, CEO, World Obesity Federation
Q&A
Closing remarks
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