More than 60 representatives from 35 diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, development partners and media organisations have participated in the second Health Diplomacy Dialogue convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria to strengthen international cooperation around the country’s health priorities.
The dialogue, held in Abuja, examined ways to connect Nigeria’s health agenda with regional and global decision-making while strengthening support for nationally led health programmes.
Participants discussed the implementation of the Accra Reset, ongoing reforms in the global health sector, national ownership of health programmes and the need for sustainable health financing.
Nigeria Strengthens Health Emergency Preparedness
Discussions focused on Nigeria’s efforts to improve preparedness and response to disease outbreaks, humanitarian emergencies and other public health threats.
Participants reviewed the Federal Government’s health reform agenda, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, which aim to strengthen national leadership, improve coordination and align investments with shared health priorities.
Over the past 12 months, WHO has supported government-led efforts to improve disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, immunisation programmes, laboratory systems and emergency health capacities.
As part of preparedness measures for Ebola virus disease, WHO is providing technical support to national authorities. Personal protective equipment and laboratory reagents are expected to arrive in Nigeria to further strengthen the country’s readiness.
The organisation also works with federal and state authorities, UN agencies, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and other partners to improve Nigeria’s capacity to respond to public health risks.
Recent emergency responses have demonstrated the importance of coordinated action under government leadership. Public Health Emergency Operations Centres have provided strategic coordination, while WHO has supported surveillance, emergency coordination, case management, logistics and cross-border collaboration.
WHO Highlights Importance of Health Diplomacy
With disease outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, humanitarian emergencies and health financing challenges increasingly crossing national borders, participants highlighted the need for stronger cooperation among countries, institutions and development partners.
Speaking at the dialogue, Dr Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative in Nigeria, stressed the importance of connecting national health priorities with international action.
“Health diplomacy is not only about sharing information,” said Ursu. “It is about connecting national priorities with regional and global processes and using our collective voice to translate dialogue into concrete action that improves people’s health.”
Diplomatic missions can contribute by mobilising resources, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that Nigeria’s health priorities receive attention in regional and global discussions.
Diplomatic Missions Highlight Need for Cooperation
Representatives of diplomatic missions welcomed the opportunity to exchange views on Nigeria’s changing health priorities and explore opportunities for closer collaboration.
Maricel Romero, Honorary Consul of Colombia to Nigeria, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared health challenges.
“The COVID-19 pandemic showed why countries must work together proactively on health challenges that affect us all,” said Romero. “Platforms such as this dialogue strengthen understanding, build partnerships and support coordinated action.”
Similarly, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, emphasised the need for sustained investment in resilient health systems.
“We must continue to support investments in immunization, water and sanitation, and health system strengthening,” said De Luca. “These are priorities that benefit communities in Nigeria and contribute to global health security.”
Nigeria Prepares to Host Global Antimicrobial Resistance Conference
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was another major focus of the dialogue, with participants examining the scale of the threat and the need for stronger international action.
Current estimates indicate that antimicrobial resistance is associated with more than one million deaths annually in Africa. Global projections suggest that AMR could contribute to as many as 39 million deaths between 2025 and 2050 if effective action is not taken.
The discussions also highlighted Nigeria’s role as host of the 5th High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, scheduled to take place in Abuja from 6 to 8 December 2026.
The conference is expected to bring together political leaders, technical experts, development partners, researchers and private-sector stakeholders to advance global efforts against antimicrobial resistance.
Participants were encouraged to secure high-level representation from their governments, contribute to the development of the Abuja Compact, mobilise political and financial support for implementation, and strengthen partnerships to translate commitments into practical results.
WHO Seeks Stronger Links Between National and Global Action
The dialogue concluded with a shared recognition that closer engagement between the diplomatic community and Nigeria’s health sector could help advance national priorities.
Participants highlighted the importance of supporting nationally led reforms, improving preparedness for health emergencies and accelerating action against antimicrobial resistance ahead of the December ministerial conference.
The discussions reinforced the importance of aligning international support with nationally defined priorities while maintaining strong links between local health needs and global decision-making.
As Nigeria continues its efforts to strengthen the health system, health diplomacy remains an important means of fostering collaboration, mobilising resources and addressing shared public health challenges.
WHO said it would continue to use the Health Diplomacy Dialogue as a platform for strategic engagement, ensuring that Nigeria’s priorities inform regional and global discussions and that international cooperation contributes to better health outcomes across the country.
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