The seventy-seventh session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Western Pacific was held from 19 to 22 October 2026 in Manila, Philippines. Invited by WHO, World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) sent a six-member delegation composed of Dr. Zheng Qiming (Vice President Philippines), Dr. Teoh Boon Khai (Executive Committee Member Malaysia), and representatives from Malaysian member society Global Acupuncture Rescue Traditional And Complementary Medical Society.

The session focuses on key priorities where progress is lagging – immunization, hypertension control and tobacco control. The Regional Committee also will consider the fast-evolving area of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for public health in the most populous WHO region. The session comes amid mounting economic pressures regionally and globally. This reality challenges governments in expanding access to health at a time when such investments are more vital than ever for a region grappling with a mounting burden of noncommunicable diseases, more frequent health emergencies, rapid population ageing and the health impacts of the climate crisis. At the same time, significant advances in science and medicine, along with the opportunities presented by AI and digital health, symbolize the potential the Region has in strengthening health systems and expanding access to health – including for the most neglected and vulnerable populations.

During the session, Vice President Dr. Zheng Qiming briefed Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, on WFAS’s work including the 2026 International Symposium on Acupuncture-Moxibustion held in Switzerland. Dr. Piukala spoke highly of the contributions of traditional medicine to health.

Dr. Zheng Qiming pictured with Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala

At this session, Zheng Zhe, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission of China, led the Chinese delegation to attend. Vice President Zheng Qiming met with Vice Minister Zheng Zhe. During the session, Vice President Zheng Qiming also held discussions with Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, Secretary of the Department of Health of the Philippines. Secretary Edwin expressed his hope to scale up acupuncture training in communities and remote provinces across the Philippines and strengthen cooperation with the WFAS. Meanwhile, Vice President Zheng Qiming exchanged views with Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health and Social Policy Coordination of Singapore, the Minister of Health of Malaysia, and Dr. Lam Man Kin, Director of Health of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. They discussed cooperation on traditional medicine, particularly acupuncture, and explored the current status of traditional medicine in countries and regions of the Western Pacific Region, as well as its integration into existing healthcare systems. Special attention was paid to experience-sharing, promotion and collaboration among ASEAN Member States.

Executive Committee Member Dr. Teoh Boon Khai prepared statement materials on artificial intelligence acupuncture research program. During the session, he held exchanges with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region, and Dr. Siale Akau'ola, Minister of Health of Tonga. They engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanged views on topics including the standardization of acupuncture, innovative intelligent applications, and the promotion of international volunteer services for acupuncture, contributing to the integration of acupuncture-moxibustion into global public health systems.

In 1998, WFAS established official relations with the WHO. It has since actively participated in WHO meetings and deeply engaged in international collaboration in areas including traditional medicine and acupuncture standardization. The attendance of the WFAS delegation at this session builds on this long-standing formal partnership framework. Rooted in the development needs of traditional medicine in the Western Pacific Region, the delegation took an active part in regional health policy discussions, shared practical experience of acupuncture in health services, and promoted exchanges, mutual learning and standardized development of acupuncture within traditional medicine across countries in the Western Pacific Region.

Dr. Teoh Boon Khai took a group photo with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala.

Dr. Zheng Qiming pictured with Dr. Edwin M. Mercado.

Dr. Zheng Qiming pictured with Mr. Ong Ye Kung.

Dr. Teoh Boon Khai held exchanges with Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola.

Group photo of WFAS delegation.