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Day 1, Wednesday 15 October 2025 – Regular sessions of RC72
Session 1
(a) Opening remarks by the Chair of RC71
(b) Welcoming remarks from the Regional Director
(c) Election of Officers
Chair
2 Vice-Chairs
(d) Adoption of the provisional Agenda
(e) Appointment of drafting committee
Session 2
Governance matters
Reports of the twenty-second and twenty-third meetings of the Programme Subcommittee of the Regional Committee
Membership of WHO bodies and committees
Engagement with non-State actors: applications submitted by entities for accreditation to attend meetings of the Regional Committee
Place and date of future sessions of the Regional Committee
Session 3
World Health Assembly and Executive Board – programme and budget matters
Update on financing and implementation of the programme budget, including the implementation of the WHO Transformation Agenda
Discussion
Break
Session 4: Special update
Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Discussion
Session 5: Special update
Polio eradication in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, including the report of the thirteenth meeting of the Regional Subcommittee for Polio Eradication and Outbreaks
Discussion
Lunch break
Session 6:
Opening ceremony
Address by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Keynote speaker: H.E. Dr Hisham Saad Aljadhey, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO, Saudi Food and Drug Authority
Keynote speaker: H.E. Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister's focal person on polio eradication and former member of the Senate of Pakistan
Video
Introduction to the Annual Report of the Regional Director 2024/2025 by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
Discussions
Dinner including group photo and awards distribution
Thursday 16 October 2025 – Regular sessions of RC72
Session 1: Technical paper 1
Zero-dose children: addressing inequity in routine immunization coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Discussion
Session 2: Technical paper 2
Health systems recovery in fragile and conflict-affected situations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Discussion
Break
Session 3: Technical paper 3
Palliative care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: from challenges to solutions
Discussion
Session 4: Cairo Call to Action
A ministerial appeal for “Advancing Equity and Innovation in Breast Cancer”
Session 5: Technical paper 4
Strengthening national laboratory biosafety and biosecurity policies and frameworks in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Discussion
Lunch break
Lunch break
Session 6: Technical paper 5
Developing a regional operational framework for climate change and health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Discussion
Session 7: Side event
Monitoring Regional Committee resolutions: addressing challenges in implementing long-standing resolutions
Break
Closed meeting: Fifth meeting of the High-level Ministerial Group on the Control of Tobacco and Emerging Tobacco and Nicotine Products in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Closed meeting: Foundation for the State of Kuwait Prize for the Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Closed meeting: Award of the Down Syndrome Research Prize
Friday 17 October 2025 – Regular sessions of RC72
Session 1
World Health Assembly and Executive Board:Coordination of the work of the Health Assembly, the Executive Board and the Regional CommitteeResolutions and decisions of regional interest adopted by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly and the Executive Board at its 156th and 157th sessions
Review of the draft provisional agenda of the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board
Discussion
Session 2
Special update
The impact of economic sanctions on health and health services in the Eastern Mediterranean RegionSession 3
Statement from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region Staff Association (EMRSA)
Session 4
Closing session
Wrap-up refreshments served at Pergola
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Information bulletin
General information
Date and location
In line with Decision 4 of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean at its 71st session, the 72nd session of the Regional Committee will be held in person this year in Cairo.
The 72nd session (RC72) will open on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, and conclude on Friday, 17 October 2025 (exact timing to be confirmed).
Venue: WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in Cairo
Membership and attendance
The Regional Committee consists of one representative from each country or territory of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Member State delegation members, advisers and representatives of other entities invited under Rule 2 of the Regional Committee's Rules and Procedures who are unable to attend in person may follow the meeting online on WHO's public website. Details for accessing the live streaming will be shared in due course.
Conduct
WHO is committed to ensuring all participants experience an inclusive, respectful and safe environment.
All participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards each other and everyone involved in this event.
Participants are expected to abide by WHO's standards of conduct. WHO has zero tolerance for any form of harassment or sexual misconduct, or for any inaction against these.
For more information, please refer to:
- WHO Code of Conduct to prevent harassment, including sexual harassment, at WHO events
- WHO Policy on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct
Ms Marta Agosti, Regional PRS Coordinator
WHO Office of Internal Oversight Services
Registration
Credentials
In accordance with Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure, Member States are requested to communicate the names and designations of their representatives, alternates and advisers to the RC72 Secretariat no later than 15 August 2025.
For Member States, such communication shall take the form of official credentials issued by the Head of State, Head of Government, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health or any other appropriate authority (such as embassies, permanent missions or senior government officials such as directors-general or permanent secretaries for health).
Credentials may be submitted electronically or hand-delivered to the RC72 Secretariat
The credentials should be issued on the official letterhead of the competent authority and must include all the information specified in the form. The credentials must be dated, signed and stamped by the issuing authority.
Registration process
Online registration is a prerequisite for attendance at RC72. Registration can be completed through the registration link.
Delegations are kindly requested to complete online registration no later than 15 August 2025.
The WHO Secretariat will confirm your registration via email.
Official programme
Working languages
The working languages of the Regional Committee are Arabic, English and French. Oral statements made in any of these languages will be interpreted simultaneously into the other two. Member State delegation members will be able to select their preferred language, as the meeting will be webcast in all three languages.
Accessibility
The meeting venue is fully accessible for individuals using mobility aids, including wheelchairs. To ensure a smooth experience, participants with specific accessibility requirements are kindly requested to inform the Secretariat in advance. This will allow any necessary support to be arranged ahead of time. For assistance, please contact
Agenda and other documents
Official documentation for the session will be available in Arabic, English and French on the Regional Committee website from September 2025.
Participants are kindly requested to consult the documents online as the Regional Committee is a paperless meeting.
Written statements
During plenary meetings, delegates wishing to take the floor should signal their wish to speak by raising their name plate or standing it vertically on one end.
Statements will be limited to three minutes. Interventions by international partners and non-State actors in official relations with WHO or accredited by the Regional Committee will be limited to two minutes. Written statements of no more than 600 words may be submitted for posting on the Regional Committee website under the related agenda item.
Please send statements for posting to the WHO website to
Written statements should contain text only. No photographs, diagrams, maps or other media materials may be included (per document EB149/3).
Eco-friendly meeting
Organizers are committed to ensuring that the session of the Regional Committee will be environmentally friendly through its paperless initiative mentioned above. It will seek to encourage people's participation in physical activities and to ensure that healthy food options are available to participants.
Travel to Egypt
Travel
Delegates and participants are kindly requested to make their own travel arrangements for both outward and return journeys.
Visa arrangements
Participants should obtain a visa or entry permit to Egypt prior to their departure from their home country. A visa support letter may be provided upon request.
Insurance
WHO cannot accept liability for personal accidents or loss of or damage to the private property of participants and accompanying persons, either during or indirectly arising from participation in the Regional Committee. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.
Accommodation
To facilitate participants' accommodation, WHO has secured several rooms with negotiated rates in the following hotels in Cairo that are close to the Regional Office premises:
Intercontinental Citystars Cairo
Holiday Inn Cairo – Citystars
Hilton Cairo Heliopolis
Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis
When completing your registration to attend RC72, you will be presented with a choice of room types and negotiated rates, and a form to complete with your preferred accommodation requirements. Our team will then facilitate the booking and pass the hotel confirmation on to you.
Kindly note that payment for accommodation is to be settled by participants directly with their chosen hotel.
Transportation
Transportation to and from the Regional Office is available and can be arranged directly through the reception desk at your hotel.
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Annual Report of the Regional Director 2024–2025
EM/RC72/2
Annual Report of the Regional Director 2024–2025
Arabic | French
Agenda
Draft resolutions
EM/RC72/R.1
Annual Report of the Regional Director 2024–2025
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.2
Zero-dose children: addressing inequity in routine immunization coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.2 Add.1
Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.3
Health systems recovery in fragile and conflict-affected situations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.3 Add.1
Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.4
Palliative care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: from challenges to solutions
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.4 Add.1
Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.5
Strengthening national laboratory biosafety and biosecurity policies and frameworks in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.5 Add.1
Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.6
Operational action plan for climate change and health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (2026–2030)
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/R.6 Add.1
Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
Progress reports
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.1
Poliomyelitis eradication and polio transition
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.2
Health issues facing populations affected by disasters and emergencies, including implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.3
Implementation of the regional strategic framework for blood safety and availability, 2016–2025
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.4
Strengthening the nursing workforce to advance universal health coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.5
Developing national institutional capacity for evidence-informed policy-making for health
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.6
Regional framework for action to strengthen the public health response to substance use
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.7
Regional strategy for integrated disease surveillance: overcoming data fragmentation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.8
Building resilient communities for better health and well-being in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.9
Addressing diabetes as a public health challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.10
Relocation of the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.11
Addressing noncommunicable diseases in emergencies: a regional framework for action
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.12
Strengthening public health readiness for mass gatherings in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.13
Climate change, health and environment: a regional framework for action, 2023–2029
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.14
Review of the status of resolutions adopted by the Regional Committee during the period 2000–2019, and recommendations for sunsetting and reporting requirements
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.15
Strategy to promote the health and well-being of refugees, migrants, internally displaced populations and other displaced groups in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.16
Strategic framework for the implementation of Immunization Agenda 2030 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
Technical papers
EM/RC72/6
Zero-dose children: addressing inequity in routine immunization coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/7
Health systems recovery in fragile and conflict-affected situations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/8
Palliative care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: from challenges to solutions
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/9
Strengthening national laboratory biosafety and biosecurity policies and frameworks in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/10
Operational action plan for climate change and health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (2026–2030)
Arabic | French
World Health Assembly and Executive Board
Governance matters
EM/RC72/11
Review of the draft provisional agenda of the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/12
Membership of WHO bodies and committees
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.17
Update on implementation of the WHO Transformation Agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/13
Engagement with non-State actors: applications submitted by entities for accreditation to attend meetings of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean
Arabic | French
Technical matters
EM/RC72/14
Resolutions and decisions of regional interest adopted by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly and the Executive Board at its 156th and 157th sessions
Arabic | French
Awards
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.18
Award of the State of Kuwait Prize for the Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.19
Award of the Down Syndrome Research Prize
Arabic | French
Other documents
EM/RC72/INF.DOC.20
Place and date of future sessions of the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/3
Report of the twenty-second meeting of the Programme Subcommittee of the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/4
Report of the twenty-third meeting of the Programme Subcommittee of the Regional Committee
Arabic | French
EM/RC72/5
Report of the thirteenth meeting of the Regional Subcommittee for Polio Eradication and Outbreaks
Arabic | French
Related documents
Cairo Call to Action on Breast Cancer: Advancing Equity and Innovation
Arabic | French
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