Health ministers and high-level representatives of the 22 countries and territories of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, partner organizations and civil society, will take part in the Sixty-fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, in Khartoum, Sudan, from 15 to 18 October 2018.
Key technical health issues on this year's agenda will include:
- advancing universal health coverage
- protecting people from the impact of health emergencies
- promoting health and well-being
- optimizing WHO’s performance: countries at the centre
- private sector engagement for advancing universal health coverage.
The 4-day programme will also include progress reports on: eradication of poliomyelitis; scaling up family practice to make progress towards universal health coverage; improving access to assistive technology; strategic framework on strengthening health laboratory services 2016–2020; implementation of the regional strategic framework for blood safety and availability 2016–2025; regional strategy and action plan for tobacco control reflecting the commitments of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; progress of States Parties in implementing the International Health Regulations (2005), including Report of the Regional Assessment Commission; and health issues facing populations affected by disasters and emergencies.
These reports provide updates on implementation of resolutions approved by the Regional Committee at previous sessions.
Technical briefings and ministerial lunches offer additional opportunities to discuss technical agenda items.