The three-day conference will bring together WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia Dr. Katharina Boehme, representatives from eight countries, health ministers from two nations, ambassadors, and WHO experts. The session will set the region’s health agenda for the coming year.

Key priorities for discussion include healthy ageing through strong primary healthcare services and combating smokeless tobacco. Health ministers and senior officials are also expected to deliberate on expanding the South and Southeast Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund and accelerating actions against antimicrobial resistance.

The conference will review progress on previous resolutions, adopt new resolutions on critical health issues, and aim to revitalize efforts to promote, provide, and protect the health and well-being of all people, while advancing the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).