Monday, 20 October 2025
MEDIA ADVISORY
HYBRID PRESS CONFERENCE: CHARTING THE FUTURE OF HEALTH
76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific
Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
Time: 12:15 PM (Fiji) | 8:15 AM (Manila)
Location: Denarau Island Convention Centre, Nadi, Fiji & online (registration details below)
The World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific invites journalists to attend a press conference during the seventy-sixth session of the Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific (RCM76), WHO’s highest decision-making body in the Region.
Hosted by Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services in collaboration with WHO, the meeting gathers Ministers of Health, senior officials, and partners from the Region’s 38 countries and areas to set priorities shaping health for over 2.2 billion people across the Western Pacific.
Press conference speakers
- Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, Minister of Health and Medical Services, Fiji
- Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific
- Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to the South Pacific & Director of Pacific Technical Support
Other WHO experts and country representatives will also be on hand.
Key topics
- Climate resilience: protecting health systems from climate shocks and launching WHO’s five-year climate and health strategy for the Western Pacific
- International Health Regulations and the Pandemic Agreement: implementing recent critical IHR amendments complementing the landmark Pandemic Agreement
- Oral health: integrating a long-neglected priority into universal health coverage
- Alcohol and tobacco control: Tackling issues detrimental to the health of millions, including the commercial determinants linked to Big Industry
- Hypertension control: implementing relatively simple measures that can literally save millions of lives
- HIV: Responding to three HIV emergencies in the region (Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Philippines) and renewing attention to HIV/AIDS more broadly
- AI in health systems: ensuring the ethical and equitable use of cutting-edge technologies that are quickly transforming the health landscape
- Mental health: making it a regional priority and shifting care to communities for greater outreach and impact
- Safer surgery: improving quality and access to ensure lifesaving surgery benefits those who need it, without bankrupting individuals and families
Select side events and expert briefings will also be available for accredited media who attend the RCM in person.
Why this matters
Agreements reached and decisions made at RCM76 will guide health priorities across the Western Pacific, advancing universal health coverage and WHO’s vision of “Weaving health for all.”
Media Access
- Journalists may register to join in person in Nadi or virtually online via the link below.
- Interview opportunities with WHO leadership and technical experts will be available upon request.
For media inquiries and interview requests: wprocom@who.int
Register to attend:
Online: https://who.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bCWMrA0zQKO598yPoTaYdA
For in person participation, please contact:
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