World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies Invited to Attend the 77th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific

Manila, Philippines, 19 October 2026 — Health ministers and other senior officials from across the WHO Western Pacific Region gathered here this week for the 77th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. The session, held from 19 to 22 October, focused on key priority areas where progress has lagged—immunization, hypertension prevention and control, and tobacco control. The Regional Committee will also consider the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the WHO Western Pacific Region. The Western Pacific Region is WHO’s most populous region, with 2.2 billion people, accounting for one quarter of the world’s population. With growing global economic pressures, new circumstances are posing challenges to governments in expanding access to health services, while investment in health is more critical than ever. The Western Pacific Region is grappling with multiple challenges, including a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, more frequent health emergencies, rapid population ageing, and the health impacts of the climate crisis. At the same time, major advances in science and medicine, as well as opportunities brought by AI and digital health, are emerging.

At the invitation of WHO, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) assigned Vice Chairman Zheng Qiming to attend the meeting on behalf of WFCMS. During the meeting, WFCMS Vice Chairman Zheng Qiming reported to Dr Saia Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, on the just successfully concluded 23rd World Congress of Chinese Medicine. Dr Piukala spoke highly of the contribution of traditional medicine to health. Vice Chairman Zheng also met again with Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s Minister for Health and Minister-in-charge of Social Policy Integration. On behalf of President Ma Jianzhong and WFCMS, Vice Chairman Zheng once again thanked Minister Ong for his guidance and strong support for the successful holding of the World Congress of Chinese Medicine in Singapore. Vice Chairman Zheng Qiming also held discussions with Dr Evan Macaido, Philippine Secretary of Health; the Minister of Health of Malaysia; Dr Ronald Lam Man-kin, JP, Director of Health of Hong Kong; and others on legislation on traditional medicine and Chinese medicine and on strengthening cooperation with the non-governmental organization WFCMS, as well as communication and dialogue with relevant government departments. They also explored the current status of traditional medicine in countries and regions of the Western Pacific and its coordination with existing healthcare systems, especially mutual learning, promotion and cooperation among ASEAN countries.

At this session, Dr Song Li, Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women’s Federation, attended as a candidate for WHO Director-General. Dr Song has long been engaged in women’s and children’s health and public health, and has rich experience in international cooperation with the United Nations and WHO. It is believed that China’s experience will surely make greater contributions to building a community of health for mankind. Vice Chairman Zheng Qiming paid a courtesy call on Zheng Zhe, head of the Chinese delegation and Vice Minister of the National Health Commission, and attended Dr Song Li’s campaign launch event.

In February 2015, at the 14th meeting of the 136th session of the WHO Executive Board, resolution EB136.R10 was adopted. WFCMS established official relations with WHO and became a non-governmental organization member of WHO, thereby creating a new channel for Chinese medicine to participate in international health affairs. Under the framework of the traditional medicine strategy, cooperation between WFCMS and WHO will continue to play an important role in the international dissemination of Chinese medicine, the formulation of health policies and standards, promoting the healthy development of Chinese medicine in various countries, and enabling Chinese medicine to enter national medical and health care systems.

 

Professor Zheng Qiming, Vice Chairman of WFCMS, attends the 77th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific.
 

 

Group photo at the opening ceremony (front row, third from left: Vice Chairman Zheng Qiming).
 

 

WFCMS Vice Chairman Zheng Qiming with Dr Saia Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.