PAHO’s 62nd Directing Council concludes with new strategic plan to advance health in the Americas – PAHO/WHO

Washington, DC, October 2, 2025 (PAHO) -The 62nd Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) concluded today, establishing a bold agenda to address the presentation of the presentation of the Americas through the Americas through the approval of the Strategic Plan of Pah Prevent and control the control and control of non -controls, key resolutions for the objective of high prices prices and prevention of control and control of control and control of control controls and control of control disagreements and control of NO. (NCDS).

For four days, the Ministers of Health and the High Level Delegates of the Member States of the PAHO participated in solid discussions, navigating 43 articles of the agenda, review the progress and the final reports, and the adoption of nine resolutions.

«I want to extend my most sincere thanks and sincere appreciation for all for their individual and collective contributions to fulfill this week’s extensive tasks,» said the director of the PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa in his final comments. He emphasized the importance of solidarity and joint action, reinforcing Paho’s mandate to protect the health of the people of the Americas.

Strategic Plan 2026–2031 approved

A central result of the meeting was the approval of the Strategic Plan of Paho 2026-2031, which establishes a bold and measurable vision to accelerate progress towards healthier and more resistant societies. The plan was the product of an extensive advisory process that involves Member States and interested parties, and will serve as a plan to address fragmented services, the increase in NCDs and emerging health threats.

«This strategic plan includes an extensive analysis of the current context, the impact of health challenges on health and well -being, perspectives and opportunities for the future and the role of the office in the acceleration of progress,» said Dr. Barbosa.

Key resolutions were approved

The delegates approved nine resolutions, which include:

• TO New policy To expand access to high -cost health technologies and high priceDesigned to promote affordability through stronger regulatory frameworks, the expanded use of regional acquisition mechanisms and regional innovation and production.
• He Plan of action On the prevention and control of non -communicable diseases 2025–2030whose objective is to reduce the burden of ENT, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, through integrated primary health care systems focused on people and reduction of risk factor.

Technical Reports and Regional Cooperation

The Council presented several key sessions, including:

• The launch of the Regional Commission of Regional Health of the World Bank -Paho Lancet, There is no time to waitwhich warned about the serious economic and health consequences if countries do not strengthen primary health care systems. The report emphasizes that construction resilience must be a cornerstone of primary health care systems in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• An update on the Advances in the use of regional rotating funds of the PAHOShowing innovations in regional vaccine production, the introduction of molecular kits for the diagnosis of cervical cancer and expanded access to new health technologies.
• A session on the acceleration of the elimination of communicable diseaseswhere countries shared best practices and the PAHO highlighted the «best purchases» to achieve vulnerable populations and expand profitable and high impact interventions. The session also included a recognition from Surinam for having eliminated malaria.

«We all agree that while we continue to build on our collective successes, there is still much to do to address persistent challenges,» said Dr. Barbosa.

In a special ceremony, Paho released a sculpture in honor of the health workers of the Americas for their resilience during the Covid-19 Pandemia, which charged more than three million lives in the region.

Peruvian psychiatrist Dr. Julio Esther Caballero Peralta received the Paho for the Management of Health and 2025 Leadership for his work in the expansion of mental health services in Peru, particularly for vulnerable populations.

When he closed the meeting, Dr. Barbosa thanked the delegates for their commitment, emphasizing the «rich advisory process» that shapes the results of the week. «Today, I respectfully ask that we compromise our Pan American values ​​of excellence, solidarity, respect and integrity,» he urged, asking for a sustained collaboration to achieve a healthier America.