In the buildup of the RC75, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, joined the WHO Zambia Country Office team for a working lunch in Lusaka. The engagement offered a meaningful opportunity to connect, reflect, and align on shared health priorities in Zambia.

Dr Janabi described the lunch as “a valuable opportunity to engage and connect,” and expressed deep appreciation for the team’s dedication to the people of Zambia and their commitment to making a lasting impact.

Discussions during the lunch focused on Zambia’s progress in strengthening health systems, advancing Universal Health Coverage, and responding to public health emergencies. The team also highlighted collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Health and partners in areas such as maternal and child health, noncommunicable diseases and health workforce development.

Dr Janabi commended the Zambia office for its leadership and commitment, emphasizing the importance of the results-oriented approach, continued innovation, community engagement, and partner collaboration. He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s health priorities and acknowledged the country office’s contributions to the preparations and ultimately the successful hosting of RC75.

In addition to programmatic updates, the Staff Association, represented by the President, Dr Peter Chipimo, raised concerns regarding the impact of global funding constraints on staff welfare and operational sustainability. Dr Janabi acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the importance of transparent dialogue and collective resilience during challenging times.

The meeting reflected the spirit of RC75 — fostering dialogue, learning, and collective action to improve health across Africa — and underscored the value of country-level leadership and ownership in driving sustainable health outcomes.