The 78th session of the World Health Organization’s Regional Committee for South-East Asia will be held in Colombo from Monday (13th) to the 15th. Sri Lanka will host the three-day event.

The session will be attended by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr. Katerina Bohme, health ministers representing eight member countries, ambassadors from two nations, and other WHO experts. The meeting will also focus on formulating the region’s health strategy for the coming years.

Key topics to be discussed include promoting healthy aging through stronger primary healthcare services and efforts to combat tobacco use.

Health ministers and senior officials from member countries are also expected to hold detailed discussions on expanding the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund and speeding up action against antimicrobial resistance.

During the session, participants are expected to adopt new proposals addressing major health issues, review progress on previous resolutions, and renew efforts to promote and protect the health and well-being of all people. Reviving action toward achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals will also be among the main objectives of the meeting.