November 3, 2025 (Lusaka, Zambia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), the World Bank, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Zambia, is convening the 3rd Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting for the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience – Multiphase Programmatic Approach (HEPRR–MPA) Project. The meeting will take place from 18 to 20 November 2025 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia.
This World Bank-funded regional initiative aims to strengthen health system resilience and enhance multisectoral preparedness and response to health emergencies across the Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) region. Participating countries include Ethiopia, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, São Tomé and Príncipe, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique, with Angola and Tanzania expected to join in future phases.
The RAC serves as a strategic governance and oversight body for the HEPRR–MPA programme. Its mandate includes providing strategic direction, fostering regional collaboration, ensuring alignment between national and regional priorities, and strengthening stakeholder engagement. Representatives from participating countries chair the RAC, while IGAD and ECSA-HC serve as the Secretariat, coordinating planning, documentation, and facilitation of activities.
Objectives of the 3rd RAC Meeting
- Review Progress: Assess advancements and challenges since the previous meeting held in Addis Ababa in November 2024.
- Strengthen Regional Collaboration: Enhance coordination among countries and stakeholders.
- Knowledge Sharing: Exchange lessons and best practices for regional benefit.
- Learning Agenda: Present and endorse the HEPRR programme’s learning agenda.
Expected Outcomes
- Policy recommendations to accelerate HEPRR–MPA implementation.
- Strengthened regional coordination and collaboration.
- Comprehensive documentation of lessons learned.
- Endorsement of the programme’s learning agenda.
Meeting Structure
- Pre-RAC Technical Session (17 November): Focused on country-level progress, standardised reporting, and harmonising technical perspectives.
- Main RAC Meeting (18–19 November): Strategic discussions on implementation challenges, regional collaboration, and policy alignment.
- Field Visit (20 November): Delegates will observe practical health emergency preparedness initiatives led by the Ministry of Health of Zambia.
The meeting will bring together high-level participants, including Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Health, Project Managers, Directors of National Public Health Institutes, regulatory authorities, international development partners, and representatives from IGAD, ECSA-HC, WHO, Africa CDC, the African Union, and other regional organisations. Sessions will feature presentations, panel discussions, and expert-led dialogues to drive solution-oriented outcomes.
Hon. Dr Elijah Muchima, Minister of Health, Government of Zambia, will preside over the opening ceremony of the RAC on 18 November 2025.
Media representatives are invited to cover the opening and closing sessions. Accredited journalists will have access to interviews with Ministers, IGAD and ECSA-HC leadership, and key development partners.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jaqueline Sitali
Head of Communications and Public Relations
Ministry of Health, Zambia
Email: jacquelinesitali23@gmail.com
Owen Mwandumbya
Communication and Advocacy Specialist
East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC)
Email: omwandumbya@ecsahc.org
Bob Nuwagira
Communications Expert
Division of Health and Social Development
IGAD Secretariat
Email: Bob.Nuwagira@Igad.int
