First EMT Global Meeting in Africa works towards an Addis Accord on financing national teams

5 November 2026

Ministers, health leaders and partners gathered in Addis Ababa for the first WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Meeting held in Africa. Participants worked towards an Addis Accord that would secure steady money for national teams and make them a lasting part of the health emergency workforce. The seventh WHO EMT Global Meeting drew more than 1000 participants from over 100 countries. Hosted by the Government of Ethiopia together with the World Health Organization (WHO), the meeting drew support from Macao SAR and the Robert Koch Institute. The meeting awarded certificates to 31 newly classified and eight reclassified teams. The Regional Framework for Emergency Medical Teams 2026-2030 sets the goal of a functional national EMT in every country by 2030. Professor Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said governments must invest in people, equipment and systems.