71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC71) takes place in Qatar from October 14-17, under the theme ‘Health Beyond Borders – action, access, equity’. Ministers of health and high-level delegates from 22 Member States and territories, and representatives of partner organizations and civil society will meet to discuss public health issues.

The WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean is WHO’s decision-making body in the Region.

It comprises 22 member states, and representatives of from each Member State meet in October every year.

WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region is home to almost 700 million people.

It comprises some of the world’s highest income countries alongside fragile, conflict-affected states.

RC71 is convening in very challenging circumstances, with new fronts of conflict opening.

Al Jazeera.