WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says the 178th Session of its Executive Committee has concluded after four days of discussions on the region’s “most pressing public health priorities”, with member states approving a series of strategies, plans of action and resolutions that will help strengthen health systems, improve preparedness for health emergencies, and expand access to essential health services across the Americas, including the Caribbean.

Throughout the week, delegates reviewed the organisation’s technical and financial priorities, and agreed on measures to advance regional cooperation in areas including health emergency preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, arboviral diseases, food safety, and access to vaccines, medicines and other strategic health supplies through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds.

In total, PAHO said the Executive Committee considered 41 agenda items, approved 13 resolutions, adopted four policy documents, and reviewed seven progress reports and four final reports.

Among the key decisions were the approval of the Strategy for Strengthening Health Emergency and Risk Management for Health Security 2026–2031, the Plan of Action on Antimicrobial Resistance 2027–2031, the Integrated Management Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Arboviral Diseases 2026–2035, the Strategy and Plan of Action on Food Safety 2026–2031, and measures to strengthen and align PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, PAHO said.

The committee also reviewed the Preliminary End-of-Biennium Assessment of the PAHO Program Budget 2024–2025 and the Final Report on the Implementation of the PAHO Strategic Plan 2020–2025, “reflecting on progress made toward improving health across the region while identifying priorities for the years ahead.”

Delegates also received updates on the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005), the organization’s Shared Services Initiative, ethics and internal oversight, human resources management, and efforts to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse.

The committee also discussed an innovative financing mechanism being developed jointly by PAHO and the Inter-American Development Bank to expand countries’ access to financing for high-cost medicines through the Regional Revolving Funds, PAHO said.

PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa thanked Member States for their constructive engagement and commitment throughout the week.

“Members States took full responsibility for their role in this session of the Executive Committee and renewed their commitment to the Pan American Health Organization, and their efforts in reaching agreement in the discussions this week emphasized the trust and value you place on us,” he said.

The PAHO director also reiterated the importance of ensuring PAHO’s financial sustainability by urging Member States to make timely payment of their assessed contributions, noting that adequate financing is essential for the organisation to deliver on the priorities established by countries through the Strategic Plan.

Barbosa called on countries to continue working together in the spirit of Pan American solidarity to address the region’s shared health challenges.

“Today, as we bid farewell, I respectfully ask that we recommit ourselves to Pan Americanism by ensuring better health for the people of the hemisphere,” he said on Thursday. “Once again, I congratulate you all on a job well done.”

PAHO said the Executive Committee is one of its governing bodies, and meets twice a year to consider technical and administrative matters and provide guidance to the Pan American Sanitary Bureau.

The recommendations and decisions adopted during the 178th Session will inform the work of the organisation and contribute to discussions at the 63rd PAHO Directing Council later this year.