PAHO Directing Council meets in Washington to address regional health challenges

Health ministers and authorities from across the Americas are convening in Washington, D.C., for the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the 78th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Americas. The meeting, running from September 28 to October 2, focuses on regional health security, emergency management, and strengthening public health systems.

Key agenda items include strategies for managing health risks and emergencies for 2026–2031, addressing antimicrobial resistance, controlling arboviral diseases, and advancing digital health. Discussions also cover immunization coverage, maternal health, and the impact of climate change on health outcomes.

During the sessions, Chile’s Minister of Health, Dr. May Chomalí, was elected President of the Directing Council, succeeding Barbados’ Lisa Cummins. Panama and Antigua and Barbuda were elected as first and second Vice Presidents, respectively. Other participating nations include Brazil, which emphasized the need for science-based policies to combat the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles, and Venezuela, which highlighted its commitment to multilateralism and intercultural health.