EMPHNET participated in the 73rd Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC73), held in Cairo from October 13 to 15, 2026. Reflecting on the meeting’s discussions, Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour, Executive Director of EMPHNET, emphasized the importance of building on regional commitments through coordinated action that translates evidence and policy into measurable improvements in people’s health.

Each year, health ministers and senior officials from the Region’s 22 countries and territories convene at the Regional Committee, WHO’s governing body for the Region, to set regional priorities and guide WHO’s work with Member States. Its discussions and decisions inform collective action on health emergencies, polio eradication, health financing, disease elimination, and health system preparedness.

This year’s session took place amid considerable challenges. Protracted emergencies continue to disrupt health services, while countries face disease outbreaks, persistent inequities, a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, and mounting financial pressures. In his opening remarks, Dr. Adham Rashad Ismail, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted the scale of humanitarian needs across the Region and their health implications, noting that the Region carries “close to half of all humanitarian need on earth, affecting 117 million people as of June 2026.”

In his remarks to the Committee, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also asked Member States to approve the next increase in assessed contributions, consolidate WHO’s reforms, actively engage in reforming the global health architecture, finalize PABS negotiations on the annex to the pandemic agreement, and urged them to choose peace.

Sharing his key takeaways from the meeting, Dr. Mohannad identified several foundations for coordinated action: resilient health systems, a capable and protected public health workforce, stronger primary health care, meaningful community engagement, and sustained investment in preparedness and prevention, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Technical documents presented to the Committee reinforced these priorities. They highlighted opportunities to strengthen International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities, prevent and respond to outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, measles, and cholera, reach zero-dose children, and expand access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Addressing these challenges requires approaches tailored to country contexts, with particular attention to communities facing barriers to essential services.

A capable public health workforce is central to this effort. EMPHNET collaborates with Ministries of Health across the EMR in workforce development through the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) network, which spans 15 countries. More than 8,000 people have been trained in field epidemiology, alongside over 1,500 rapid-response trainees. These investments support national capacities in surveillance, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness, complemented by EMPHNET’s work in One Health and mental health.

Sustainable financing and integrated approaches were also prominent throughout the session. Member States discussed strengthening financial protection, advancing coordinated approaches to eliminating communicable diseases, and using artificial intelligence in health. They also considered the draft Program Budget 2028–2029.

Alongside continuing challenges, technical documents highlighted progress in strengthening regulatory systems, updating essential medicines lists, expanding local production, and increasing the use of pooled procurement for medicines and vaccines.

Offering his insights on the issues discussed, Dr. Mohannad noted that accelerating progress depends on strong partnerships, country ownership, and joint monitoring of results. The session addressed priorities closely aligned with EMPHNET’s work, including health emergencies, immunization and disease elimination, workforce development, digital health, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, health financing, and tobacco control. EMPHNET continues to support these priorities through collaboration with ministries of health, WHO, and partners across the Region.

Concluding his reflections on the meeting, Dr. Mohannad reaffirmed the organization’s commitment: “EMPHNET remains committed to working with Member States, WHO, and partners to turn these priorities into practical action that strengthens health security, advances equity, and leaves no community behind.”