The 79th session of WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia has adopted the Dili Declaration on accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage in the region.
The 79th Session concluded on 11 September 2026 at Dili (Timor-Leste) and the declaration also focuses on Human Resources for Health: Equity in Specialised Care, along with various landmark decisions to advance health equity, strengthen health systems and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
The four-day meeting closed with an official statement, "Member States adopted the Dili Declaration on Human Resources for Health: Equity in Specialised Care and key resolutions on medical devices, diagnostics and assistive technology; health facility resilience; patient and blood safety; sustainable health financing; ending tuberculosis; and vaccine confidence and uptake to advance measles and rubella elimination."
They also extended the regional action plan on viral hepatitis, HIV and sexually transmitted infections to 2030 and strengthened regional cooperation on digital health and artificial intelligence.
The member States agreed to review progress in 2027 and 2029, with a final report in 2030. There were also major steps taken towards greater cooperation on digital health and AI, establishing the South-East Asia Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Collaborative Network (SEA-DAC).
"The network will bring countries together to share expertise, experience and practical approaches, strengthen digital health systems and advance responsible use of AI. It will complement wider regional efforts to accelerate digital health priorities, including through the Banyan Framework accelerator," the statement said.
For the first time, medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and assistive technology featured as a dedicated Regional Committee agenda, culminating in a resolution that moves countries towards a life-cycle approach to access.
The statement highlighted how Health facilities now withstand increasingly complex shocks, from disasters and disease outbreaks to climate-related events and other emergencies.
Member States agreed to sustainable financing for Health for All. The decision urges countries to strengthen sustainable and resilient financing, increase domestic investment in line with national circumstances and fiscal capacity, improve financial protection and sustainably finance comprehensive primary health care. It also encourages evidence-based priority-setting and strategic purchasing, supported by national health accounts and health technology assessment.