The highest health authorities in the Americas will discuss new strategies on health emergencies, antimicrobial resistance, arboviral diseases, and food safety.
Washington, D.C., 21 September 2026 (PAHO) – Ministers of Health and other high-level authorities from across the Americas will gather from 28 September to 2 October 2026 at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, D.C., for the 63rd PAHO Directing Council and other governance meetings.
During the week, Member States will review major public health advances and challenges in the Region and consider the adoption of new policies, strategies, and plans of action that will shape regional cooperation in the years ahead.
The opening session will take place on Monday, 28 September, at 9:00 a.m. EDT at PAHO headquarters. Speakers will include Lisa Cummins, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados and outgoing President of the Directing Council, and Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO. Senior representatives of the United States Government, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are also expected to participate.
Following the opening session, Dr. Barbosa will present his annual report on the health situation in the Americas and the work of the Organization. The report highlights progress in disease elimination, immunization coverage, digital health, maternal health, emergency preparedness and response, and access to vaccines, medicines, and other health technologies.
Key agenda items
Among the major issues to be discussed and considered for adoption are:
- Strategy for Strengthening Health Emergency and Risk Management for Health Security 2026–2031, aimed at enhancing preparedness, detection, and response to epidemics, disasters, and other health emergencies.
- Plan of Action on Antimicrobial Resistance 2027–2031, designed to accelerate action against one of the Region’s growing public health threats through a One Health approach.
- Integrated Management Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Arboviral Diseases 2026–2035, intended to strengthen responses to diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche.
- Strategy and Plan of Action on Food Safety 2026–2031, aimed at strengthening national food safety systems and reducing the burden of foodborne diseases.
- Strengthening and Alignment of PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, a proposal to strengthen, integrate, and modernize the Organization’s regional procurement mechanisms for vaccines, medicines, and other health technologies.
Delegates will also review reports on the implementation of the PAHO Strategic Plan 2020–2025, the Organization’s financial situation, implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR), the PAHO Forward initiative, and progress on disease elimination, One Health, cervical cancer, health promotion, genomic surveillance, and data science.
Health in the Americas
During the week, PAHO will launch Health in the Americas 2026: Prioritizing Avertable Disease Burden to Maximize Impact, the latest edition of the Organization’s flagship publication. The report examines the leading causes of disability and premature mortality in the Region, analyzes health financing trends, and identifies the interventions that offer the greatest potential to improve health outcomes and guide public health decision-making.
Featured events
Special events during the week will include:
- Advancing and Accelerating Digital Transformation in the Americas: The Case of the Pan-American Highway for Digital Health (28 September).
- Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of PAHO’s Health Emergencies Program (28 September).
- Accelerating Action in Primary Health Care: Innovative Experiences from the Region (29 September).
- PAHO Ceremony Recognizing the Elimination of Communicable Diseases in the Americas (29 September).
- Catalytic Investments to Accelerate Disease Elimination in the Americas (30 September).
Other governance meetings
Following the Directing Council, Ministers of Health and national delegations will participate in additional governance meetings during the week, including the 78th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Americas and the 179th Session of PAHO’s Executive Committee.
A special briefing session, “Reforming the Global Health Architecture,” will take place on 2 October, focusing on challenges and opportunities to strengthen global health cooperation and governance.
About the Directing Council
The Directing Council is one of PAHO’s governing bodies and brings together health authorities from PAHO Member States to define policies, approve strategies, and strengthen regional health cooperation.
Media accreditation
The meetings will take place at PAHO headquarters, located at 525 23rd Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Journalists wishing to attend in person should request accreditation by sending their full name, media affiliation, and identification document to mediateam@paho.org.
Public sessions will also be streamed online through PAHO’s governance portal.
