At the opening of the 63rd Directing Council, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa highlighted the Region’s public health gains, called for stronger regional cooperation, and underscored priorities including primary health care, vaccination, digital health and emergency preparedness.

Washington, D.C., September 28, 2026 (PAHO) – Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa today highlighted the progress countries across the Americas have made in areas including primary health care, immunization, digital health and disease elimination, and called for accelerated action to address persistent and emerging challenges across the Region.

Speaking at the opening of the 63rd Directing Council, which brings together Ministers of Health and other senior health authorities from across the Americas in Washington, D.C., Dr. Barbosa said the Americas continue to serve as a model for other regions of the world in public health, building on more than 120 years of joint efforts to prevent disease, strengthen health systems and protect populations.

The opening session of the Directing Council also featured Lisa Cummins, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados and outgoing President of the Directing Council; Jayanta Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the United States; Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); and Ambassador Steve Ferrol, Permanent Representative of Dominica and President of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS).

“In public health, success is often measured by what does not happen. There may be no dramatic headlines, but a life may be saved, a family spared, and a community protected because a disease was prevented or an outbreak contained,” he said.

Dr. Barbosa highlighted the continued efforts of countries to strengthen primary health care, improve vaccination, expand digital health, prevent and control outbreaks, reduce deaths from chronic diseases, and advance disease elimination.

However, he noted that the resurgence of measles is a reminder that the work is far from finished. He called for continued efforts to strengthen surveillance, vaccination and outbreak response, while accelerating progress in maternal, newborn, child and mental health and strengthening preparedness for public health emergencies.

He also called for continued focus on advancing universal health and addressing critical challenges, including the persistent shortage of health workers across the Region.

“This Directing Council provides a valuable opportunity to shape our collective response to these challenges and strengthen actions to improve health across the Region,” he said. “Lasting public health progress is not delivered to countries. It is built with countries. And it starts here.”

Financial sustainability of PAHO

Dr. Barbosa also drew attention to the Organization’s financial sustainability and the importance of timely and full payment of assessed contributions by Member States.

He recalled that Member States approved a 19% budget reduction last year and noted that, despite prioritization efforts, cost-containment measures and the strong mobilization of additional voluntary contributions, PAHO continues to face a funding gap for its core programs.

“This is not simply a budgetary challenge. It affects our ability to provide technical cooperation, respond to emerging health threats, and sustain essential operations across the Region,” he said.

The PAHO Director thanked the 31 Member States that have already made full or partial payments in 2026 and called on all countries to complete their contributions as soon as possible. He also thanked partners and donors for their support in advancing the Region’s health priorities.

Dr. Barbosa also highlighted the value of partnerships with development banks, foundations and other strategic partners in advancing regional priorities such as digital transformation and strengthening primary health care.

Key issues before the 63rd Directing Council

During the week, Member States will consider new strategies and action plans to strengthen public health in the Region, including measures related to health security and emergency management, antimicrobial resistance, and the prevention and control of arboviral diseases.

They will also consider a proposal to strengthen and harmonize PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, one of the Region’s key cooperation mechanisms for facilitating access to vaccines, medicines and other health technologies.

In addition, Member States will review the results of the 2020–2025 Strategic Plan and other matters related to the Organization’s priorities and governance.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Dr. Barbosa recalled that PAHO was founded on the conviction that the countries of the Americas are stronger when they work together, and called for continued innovation and cooperation to address the Region’s health challenges.

“And if there is one thing the history of public health in the Americas has taught us, it is that when we work together, we can make what seems impossible today a reality,” he concluded.

Quotes from other speakers at the opening session

Lisa Cummins, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados and outgoing President of the Directing Council: “PAHO is shared infrastructure for the Americas. We must fund it. We must invest in it. And we must protect it as such. We know what happens when that infrastructure is strong: a country facing an outbreak can draw on regional surveillance and expertise; a small health system can access medicines, technical support and training that it could not readily build up alone; and research conducted in one part of our Region can help save lives in another. The measure of regional solidarity and hemispheric capacity is when we build it together and keep it ready for the people who will need it.”

Jayanta Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH): “The United States is reestablishing leadership in the Western Hemisphere. In health, that means working with countries across the Americas to build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient region, one better equipped to prevent disease, confront health threats close to their source, strengthen critical supply chains, and protect the health and security of our people. The United States is committed to extending investments and commercial partnerships across the Western Hemisphere, including sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food systems.”

Ambassador Steve Ferrol, Permanent Representative of Dominica and President of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS): “Ensuring that people can access essential health services is therefore not only a public health responsibility; it is an essential part of building resilient, secure, and prosperous societies. This is why health belongs at the center of our collective agenda in the Americas. Health policy and foreign policy are no longer separate conversations. The OAS stands ready to work with PAHO and with every Member State to advance this agenda.”

Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): “The Americas face significant health challenges, including population aging, a growing burden of chronic and infectious diseases, persistent inequities in access to care, and limited public financing. No institution can address these challenges alone. That’s why our partnership with PAHO matters. PAHO brings technical leadership and a strong presence on the ground, while the IDB brings its capacity to mobilize financing and support reforms. Today, I want to highlight three areas where this cooperation can make a difference: primary health care, digital transformation, and access to medicines.”

About the Directing Council

The Directing Council is one of the governing bodies of the Pan American Health Organization. It brings together health authorities from Member States to set policies, approve strategies and strengthen regional health cooperation.

Public sessions can be followed online through the PAHO governance portal.