The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to play a pivotal role at the World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. This marks the first instance of WHO co-organizing such an event at this scale, in collaboration with the World Health Summit and Aga Khan University, Kenya.
Scheduled for April 27-29, 2026, the meeting aims to gather over 1,000 participants from 50 nations, including health leaders, policymakers, and researchers. The agenda focuses on enhancing health system resilience, universal health coverage, and global health innovation.
Jointly hosted with the Ministry of Health in Kenya and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the summit will feature 80 sessions. WHO has significantly contributed to session development, ensuring discussions address the continent’s health challenges, including chronic disease burdens and evolving infectious disease patterns.
Professor Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of Medical College East Africa at Aga Khan University and President of the WHS Regional Meeting 2026, emphasized the importance of these themes for Africa’s health landscape.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, will deliver keynote addresses across six sessions, including the opening ceremony with Kenya’s President Williams Ruto. Topics include health security, financing, and digital health, alongside a pivotal side event on WHO’s regional strategic planning for 2026-2030.
“This summit is an opportunity to solidify our commitment to global health goals,” Dr. Janabi stated, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the event.
Notable attendees include Dr. Hanan Balkhy and Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Directors for the Eastern Mediterranean and European Regions, respectively, alongside other WHO leaders. The summit will also feature a dynamic WHO exhibition booth, highlighting the organization’s latest publications and innovations.
In total, nearly 90 WHO staff will participate, contributing to administration, logistics, and communication efforts, ensuring the success of this landmark event.
