Zambia to Host 75th WHO Regional Committee for Africa Meeting

Zambia will host the 75th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa from 25 to 27 August 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. The event will be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and will brin together health ministers and senior officials from the 47 WHO African Region Member States, alongside representatives from partner organizations, civil society, and the private sector.

Announcing the development, Zambia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Elijah Muchima, expressed the country’s honor at being selected to host this prestigious public health gathering.

“Let us remember that this is a significant milestone for our country. It is unique in that we will be among the few countries that have hosted this unique Public Health platform for governments and member states in the WHO African region,” said Dr Muchima.

Dr. Muchima emphasized the timeliness of the meeting, noting that Zambia stands to benefit immensely from the discussions, especially considering evolving global health financing dynamics.

“It is also unique in that it has come at a time when there are various changes in the financing landscape for public health globally and we expect Ministers of Health and various Public Health leaders from the African continent and beyond to share and exchange ideas for the good of humanity even as we move into the next phase of combating public health threat,” he added.

The Minister also paid tribute to WHO for its longstanding support to Zambia’s health sector, highlighting the agency’s six-decade presence in the country.

“It is now 61 years since WHO established its presence in Zambia and we highly appreciate the strong partnership and collaboration with WHO that has contributed to improve health systems in this country. The leadership of WHO is highly needed now in current geopolitical turbulence that could seriously affect the health and well-being of all people globally.”

Speaking at the same briefing, Dr. Clement Lugala Peter Lasuba, WHO Country Representative to Zambia, described the Regional Committee as the continent’s premier platform for setting health priorities and addressing shared challenges.

“Africa is a diverse and vibrant region, with a population of nearly 1.5 billion people….Our collective efforts are crucial in addressing the health needs of this diverse population and achieving universal health coverage, as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have one mission: to build a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Africa,” he said.

Dr Lasuba said that the meeting would be a reminder of the progress of improving health in the African region. “Through strong partnerships, innovative approaches, and evidence-based strategies, many African countries (including Zambia) have made significant strides in improving health outcomes.

He, however, called for need to acknowledge the existing challenges, such as the declining official development assistance landscape, health inequalities amidst emerging infectious diseases, increasing trend of non-communicable diseases, and health emergencies. He said that the continent also faced the effects of Climate Change impacting the health and wellbeing of the people.

The 75th session will focus on four strategic pillars:

• Expanding access to universal health coverage for one billion more people;
• Enhancing protection from health emergencies for one billion more people;
• Promoting better health and well-being for one billion more people;
• Strengthening WHO’s capacity to provide effective and efficient support to all countries.

The WHO Regional Committee for Africa serves as the organization’s decision-making body in the region, tasked with reviewing and endorsing strategies, policies, and financial plans aimed at improving health outcomes across the continent.