Ethiopia Chosen to Host 7th Global Emergency Medical Teams Meeting

Ethiopia has been selected to host the seventh Global Emergency Medical Teams Meeting from November 3-5, 2026, in Addis Ababa, becoming the first African country to host the World Health Organization (WHO)-backed gathering.

The meeting will bring together government representatives, emergency health professionals, policymakers, researchers and humanitarian partners to assess progress in strengthening emergency medical response and examine gaps in countries’ capacity to manage disease outbreaks, natural disasters, conflicts and other public health crises.

The Ethiopian government will host the meeting in collaboration with WHO under the theme “Strengthening Global Emergency Medical Response Together”.

The gathering comes as the global Emergency Medical Teams Network reaches the midpoint of its EMT 2030 Strategy, a framework covering the period to 2030 that aims to strengthen countries’ ability to deliver timely, quality emergency medical care. Launched in 2022, the strategy focuses on improving coordination, expanding access to emergency care, strengthening team standards and classification, and advancing research and the use of evidence in emergency response.

Participants are expected to review implementation progress, exchange lessons from recent health emergencies and humanitarian crises, and identify challenges that could affect countries’ ability to meet the strategy’s objectives by 2030.

The Emergency Medical Teams Network brings together groups of health professionals, including doctors, nurses and paramedics, who provide medical care during emergencies. The network promotes common standards for training, equipment and operational capacity to help ensure that teams can deliver quality care and work effectively alongside national health systems.

Ethiopia has been developing its own emergency response capacity through the establishment and verification of its National Emergency Medical Team, the expansion of emergency coordination mechanisms and the development of training and surge capacity systems.

The meeting programme will include technical sessions, an exhibition showcasing emergency medical innovations and practices, a ceremony recognising newly classified emergency medical teams, and a film festival. Delegates will also have opportunities to participate in cultural activities and visits to sites in Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, which hosts the African Union headquarters and numerous international organisations, will provide a platform for discussions on national preparedness, international cooperation and the role of emergency medical teams in responding to health crises.

The meeting is expected to bring together countries and partners working to strengthen emergency medical response as the network advances towards the 2030 deadline.

Source: FSX Business News