The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, led by Regional Director Dr. Hanan Balkhy, is hosting a significant meeting of the Regional Health Alliance (RHA) at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. This high-profile gathering, involving over 80 participants from 18 UN organizations, marks a major step toward advancing a unified health agenda for the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The event brings together an impressive roster of attendees, including Dr. Adham Abdel Moneim, Director of Programme Management; Dr. Ahmed Zouiten, Acting Regional Emergency Director; Dr. Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Life Course; and Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. Other invitees include regional directors and technical officers from agencies such as FAO, IOM, ITU, OCHA, the World Bank, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, and UN Women.

The meeting serves as a critical platform to strengthen multilateral collaboration and advance the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region. Discussions will center on aligning joint efforts with the WHO Regional Strategic Operational Plan 2025–2028, which complements the organization’s 14th General Programme of Work (GPW 14). Participants will also deliberate on key health priorities, such as expanding access to medical products, enhancing the resilience of the health workforce, and intensifying public health initiatives to address substance use.

A highlight of the event is the anticipated endorsement of the RHA Joint Action Plan for 2025, which is designed to streamline collaborative efforts under a “One UN” approach. This plan underscores the commitment to integrated health strategies that respond effectively to the region’s diverse and pressing challenges.

By uniting key stakeholders and fostering collaboration, this meeting represents a milestone in regional health cooperation. It aims to ensure equitable access to healthcare, bolster the resilience of health systems, and address the most pressing public health issues facing the Eastern Mediterranean Region. In a time of evolving health challenges, the event offers a vital opportunity to align resources and strategies, laying the foundation for a healthier and more sustainable future.