The World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office for the Western Pacific Monday welcomed ministers, other senior health officials and key partners from across the Western Pacific to the seventy-fifth session of its Regional Committee.
WHO’s governing body for the region convenes every year to formulate policies, adopt resolutions and make decisions to improve the health of more than 1.9 billion people living in the Western Pacific.
WHO’s Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala – the first Pacific islander to be elected to the position – welcomed health leaders to the first Regional Committee under his tenure.
“As the first Regional Director from the Pacific, the challenges we’re discussing – such as rising sea levels and increasingly frequent disasters – are realities that my loved ones and fellow Pacific islanders live with every day,” said Dr Piukala.
“I’m keenly aware of the enormity of the work ahead of us, but with mutual trust and support we can meet these challenges.”
Dr Piukala’s address covered key updates on WHO’s work with countries and partners across the region from July 2023 to June 2024. He also introduced a draft vision for improving health in the region, to guide WHO’s work with Member States over the coming five-year period.
“This vision, jointly developed by WHO and Member States, is a testament to the beauty, strength and diversity of this Region,” said Dr Piukala. “Guided by this vision, we will work together and with our partners to build a sustainable, resilient and healthy future for all people in the Western Pacific.”
Cook Islands Minister of Health, ainetutai Rose Toki Brown, was elected Chairperson of this year’s session of the Regional Committee. Viet Nam Vice Minister of Health, Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, was elected Vice-Chairperson.
Toki Brown thanked the delegates for their trust and confidence in electing her as Chairperson, and she added: “This is a special year. It is the first Regional Committee meeting with the new Regional Director, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, at the helm, and we have a lot of important ground to cover.”
She went on to say, “I know that you are all committed to the health of this Region, and I know you agree on the value of us convening here as members of the World Health Organisation. The success of our new regional vision relies upon the mutual accountability of Member States and WHO. Thank you again for your confidence in electing me as Chair of this important meeting. I am very much looking forward to our discussions.”
The new vision, Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029): Working together to improve health, well-being and save lives, is being presented to Member States for their endorsement.
The vision centres on the analogy of the weaving of a mat − a traditional activity across Asia and the Pacific – symbolising the collaborative efforts required by WHO, governments and partners to improve the health and well-being of the people of the region. The vision comprises five vertical strands of action led by governments, interwoven with three horizontal strands of action by WHO over the coming five years.
The five vertical strands of action led by governments, working with WHO and other stakeholders, include:
1. Transformative primary health care for universal health coverage
2. Climate-resilient health systems
3. Resilient communities, societies and systems for health security
4. Healthier people throughout the life course
5. Technology and innovation for future health equity.
The three horizontal strands of action by WHO are:
1. Country offices equipped with skills for scaling up and innovation
2. Nimble support teams in the Regional Office
3. Effective communication for public health.
The Regional Committee will also consider new regional action frameworks on digital health and on health financing to achieve universal health coverage and sustainable development. There will be panel discussions on climate resilient health-care facilities, transformative primary health care and oral health. In addition, there will be side events on topics including One Health, tobacco control and the Investment Round to resource WHO’s work over the next four years.
Countries in the WHO Western Pacific region are at risk from climate change and climate-related disasters. The health impacts of these vary depending on the resilience of communities and the health facilities that serve them.
During a panel discussion at the Regional Committee, delegates from Fiji, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Viet Nam emphasised the need to protect health by ensuring hospitals and clinics are climate resilient.
The benefits of joining the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) were highlighted as it provides a platform for countries to accelerate transformative action in building climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems by leveraging the collective expertise and resources of WHO Member States and other stakeholders.
WHO is working with countries and areas across the Western Pacific to track progress in protecting health from climate change, helping with vulnerability assessments, developing and updating adaptation plans, and implementing climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health facility initiatives.
