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Eastern Mediterranean countries reaffirm their commitment to health for all at the WHO Regional Committee
17 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt – The 72nd session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC72) concludes today after three days of high-level discussions under the theme “Together for a healthier future”. The Regional Committee is WHO’s governing body in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, bringing together ministers of health and...
Closing remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the 72nd Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean
17 October 2025 Your Excellencies, Ministers of Health and Heads of Delegations, Distinguished colleagues and partners, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for the engagement and energy you have brought to this seventy-second session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Over the course of three days, we have achieved...
Building back better: Member States pass resolution on health systems recovery
Delegates emphasize the need for collective vision and cohesive action to rebuild health systems in countries affected by war and protracted conflict 16 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt — Member States across the Eastern Mediterranean Region adopted a resolution on health systems recovery in fragile and conflict-affected situations at the...
‘Worthy of our people’: WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean outlines a bold vision for health in the Eastern Mediterranean
16 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt – At yesterday’s opening of the Seventy-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC72), Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy was forthright about the problems facing the Region. “We meet amid profound uncertainty for our Region and for global health. Wars, disasters, displacement and...
Health leaders redouble their resolve to accelerate polio eradication at the Regional Committee meeting
16 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt – Health ministers and senior health officials from across the Eastern Mediterranean Region convened on 15 October 2025 for the14th meeting of the Regional Subcommittee for Polio Eradication and Outbreaks, held during the Seventy-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in Cairo. The...
Cairo Call to Action on Breast Cancer: Advancing Equity and Innovation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
16 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt – Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally and in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, with significant disparities in outcomes across countries. In 2022 alone, an estimated 2.3 million women were diagnosed worldwide, resulting in 670,000 deaths. These figures underscore the...
Special update on health emergencies presented at the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean
15 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt – A special update on emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region was presented today at the Seventy-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC72). The three-day session, which began today in WHO’s Regional Office in Cairo, brings together health ministers and high-level...
Verbal Statement by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the 72nd Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean
15 October 2025 Your Excellencies, Ministers of Health and Heads of Delegations, Director-General, Ladies and Gentlemen, A warm welcome to you all. Thank you for joining the 72nd session of the Regional Committee—WHO’s highest decision-making body in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. As always, we gather to shape political commitments that...
Opening address by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the 72nd Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean
15 October 2025 Your Excellencies Ministers of Health and Heads of Delegations, Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the 72nd Session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Many of you have taken part in more Regional Committees than I have; this is only my second. Yet I hope that, even for those who are familiar with the...
Health leaders gather in Cairo for RC72 amid unprecedented global health challenges
14 October 2025, Cairo, Egypt – The Seventy-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC72) begins tomorrow, 15 October 2025. Hosted by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, the event brings together health ministers, policy-makers and regional leaders to address urgent health priorities and...
