WHO Eastern Mediterranean committee opens Cairo session on emergencies and financing
Health ministers from 22 countries meet in Cairo as WHO says the region carries close to half of global humanitarian need amid crises and funding pressure.
The story in focus
WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee opened its 73rd session in Cairo on 13 October 2026, with ministers from 22 countries and territories setting regional health priorities amid emergencies, outbreaks, inequities and financial pressure. WHO said the region holds 117 million people in humanitarian need, close to half the global total.
- The 73rd session of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee opened in Cairo and runs until 15 October 2026.
- WHO's officer-in-charge said the region has about 9% of the world's people but 117 million people in humanitarian need as of June.
- Member States will discuss health financing, multi-disease elimination, polio eradication, emergencies and artificial intelligence for health.
Opening amid regional crises
The WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean is the organization's governing body in the region, bringing together health ministers and senior representatives from its 22 countries and territories to set priorities and guide WHO's work with Member States.
The session was opened by Iraq's health minister, chair of the previous session, with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attending. Dr Adham Rashad Ismail, officer-in-charge of the WHO regional office, said the region is home to 9% of the world's people but carries close to half of all humanitarian need, citing 117 million people as of June. He said WHO must keep supporting populations affected by conflict and crisis and advocate for uninterrupted humanitarian access and funding.
Agenda and awards
Delegates will consider the Regional Director's annual report for 2025/2026 and two technical papers: one on health financing and financial protection, and one outlining joint strategies to eliminate multiple communicable diseases. Health emergencies, polio eradication and a panel on artificial intelligence for health are also on the agenda.
Member States will hold a regional consultation on the draft Programme Budget 2028–2029 and review governance matters. The State of Kuwait Prize was presented to three laureates for work in paediatric haematology and oncology, cardiovascular surgery and diabetes prevention and care. The session continues until 15 October 2026.
What is on the agenda at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee session?
The 73rd session covers the Regional Director's annual report, health financing and financial protection, a multi-disease elimination strategy, health emergencies, polio eradication, an artificial intelligence panel and regional consultation on the draft 2028–2029 programme budget.
Sources & further reading
- 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean opens in Cairo ↗emro.who.int
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