Mr. Tim Vora, Executive Director of the Health Action Coordinating Committee (HACC) and Coordinator of the Cambodia NCD Alliance, participated in two significant regional public health engagements in Manila, the Philippines: the 77th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, held from 19 to 22 October 2026, and the launch of the Healthy Western Pacific Alliance (HWPA) on 23 October 2026.
The mission provided an important opportunity to engage with regional health governance mechanisms, exchange experiences on public health priorities, and strengthen collaboration among civil society organizations, governments, WHO, and regional NGO networks. It also reinforced HACC’s commitment to advancing noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention and control and promoting equitable access to health services in Cambodia and across the region.
The 77th WHO Regional Committee Meeting (19–22 October 2026):
Held from 19 to 22 October 2026, the 77th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific brought together health ministers and senior government officials from across the Region to address pressing public health challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen health systems.
Key priorities included accelerating progress in immunization, hypertension control, and tobacco control, alongside discussions on the growing implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health for public health. The discussions took place against a backdrop of economic pressures, an increasing burden of NCDs, more frequent health emergencies, rapid population ageing, and the health impacts of climate change.
The session also explored opportunities to expand access to essential health services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations, through stronger health systems, scientific innovation, and digital solutions.
Among the key topics discussed were a ministerial roundtable on establishing a regional health essential stockpile through pooled procurement, hypertension control, immunization, tobacco control, WHO leadership and management, and collaboration with civil society partners to support healthy ageing.
The meeting highlighted the importance of translating regional commitments into practical action. WHO will develop and share operational guidance on hypertension control, tobacco control, and immunization, while civil society organizations and regional networks were invited to contribute perspectives on relevant health priorities.
For HACC and the Cambodia NCD Alliance, participation in this regional forum offered an opportunity to deepen understanding of emerging policy directions, strengthen engagement with regional partners, and identify areas where civil society advocacy can contribute to national and regional health objectives.
Launching the Healthy Western Pacific Alliance
On 23 October 2026, Mr. Vora and colleagues, also participated in the launch of the Healthy Western Pacific Alliance (HWPA), a newly established regional NGO network focused on noncommunicable diseases.
Initiated by the Healthy Philippines Alliance, the network brings together civil society organizations from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, creating a platform for greater regional coordination and collective action on NCD prevention and control.
The launch provided an opportunity for participating organizations to discuss the alliance’s governance structure and explore ways to strengthen collaboration among civil society partners across the Western Pacific Region.
The establishment of the HWPA marks an important step towards building stronger connections among national NCD alliances and civil society organizations. Through shared learning, coordinated advocacy, and the exchange of experiences, the network aims to support collective efforts to address NCDs and promote healthier communities.
For Cambodia, engagement in this regional network creates opportunities for the Cambodia NCD Alliance to share national experiences, learn from approaches implemented in other countries, and strengthen advocacy in support of NCD prevention and control.
Strengthening Collaboration for Better Health Outcomes
The mission reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation among WHO, governments, civil society organizations, and community networks in advancing public health priorities and building resilient, inclusive health systems.
The knowledge, experiences, and regional connections gained through these engagements are expected to inform HACC’s coordination and advocacy work and strengthen the Cambodia NCD Alliance’s collaboration with regional partners.
By actively engaging in regional health policy discussions and civil society networks, HACC continues to support collective efforts to prevent and control NCDs, promote healthier communities, and advance better health outcomes for people in Cambodia and throughout the Western Pacific Region.
