REGIONAL COMMITTEE
Provisional Agenda item 16.1
Fifty-sixth Session 10-13 September 2003
SEA/RC56/5 23 July 2003
UNDP/WORLD BANK/WHO SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN TROPICAL DISEASES: JOINT COORDINATING BOARD (JCB) – REPORT ON ATTENDANCE AT 2003 JCB AND NOMINATION OF A MEMBER IN PLACE OF BANGLADESH WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON 31 DECEMBER 2003
1.
INTRODUCTION
The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) has been set up under the administrative aegis of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is cosponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. The Special Programme, which is a long-term endeavour, has two principal goals: (1) To develop new methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating selected tropical diseases, methods that would be applicable, acceptable and affordable by developing countries, require minimal skills or supervision and be readily integrated into the health services of these countries, and (2) To strengthen – through training in biomedical and social sciences and through support to institutions – the capability of developing countries to undertake the research required to develop these new disease control technologies.
2.
JOINT COORDINATING BOARD
For the purpose of coordinating the interests and responsibilities of the parties cooperating in this Special Programme, a Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) has been established.
2.1 Functions The JCB shall, for the purpose of coordinating the interests and responsibilities of the parties cooperating in the Special Programme, have the following functions: (1) Review and decide upon the planning and execution of the Special Programme. For this purpose, it will keep itself informed of all aspects of the development of the Special Programme, and consider reports and recommendations submitted to it by the Standing Committee, the Executing Agency, and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC); (2) Approve the proposed plan of action and budget for the coming financial period, prepared by the Executing Agency and reviewed by the Standing Committee; (3) Review the proposals of the Standing Committee and approve arrangements for the financing of the Special Programme in that period; (4) Review proposed longer-term plans of action and their financial implications; (5) Review the annual financial statements submitted by the Executing Agency as well as the audit report thereon, submitted by the External Auditor of the Executing Agency; (6) Review periodic reports which evaluate the progress of the Special Programme towards the achievement of its objectives; (7) Endorse the proposals of the Executing Agency and the Standing Committee for STAC membership, and
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(8) Consider such other matters relating to the Special Programme as may be referred to it by any Cooperating Party.
2.2 Composition The JCB shall consist of 30 members from among the Cooperating Parties as follows: (1) Twelve government representatives selected by the contributors to the Special Programme resources; (2) Twelve government representatives selected by the WHO regional committees from among those countries directly affected by the diseases dealt with by the Special Programme, or from among those providing technical or scientific support to the Special Programme; (3) Three members, designated by JCB itself, from among the remaining Cooperating Parties, and (4) The three Agencies which comprise the Standing Committee. Members of JCB shall serve for a period of three years and may be re-appointed. Other Cooperating Parties may, at their request, be represented as Observers upon approval by JCB.
3.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE JCB FROM THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION
At present, the following three Member States from the South-East Asia Region are members of JCB: Paragraph of Memorandum of Understanding under which selected
Country
Period
Selected by
India Bangladesh Thailand
2001-2003 2001-2003 2002-2004
JCB Regional Committee Regional Committee
2.2.3 2.2.2 2.2.2
The 26th session of the Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) unanimously elected India, along with Japan, Luxembourg and Norway, for JCB membership under paragraph 2.2.1 of the Memorandum of Understanding (governments selected by the contributors to the Special Programme resources) from 1 January 2004 for three years.
4.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE
4.1 Noting of the Report on JCB Session The Regional Committee, at its earlier session, recommended that JCB members should report to the Consultative Committee for Programme Development and Management (CCPDM) giving a summary of the deliberations of the last JCB session attended by them. The representatives from Bangladesh, India and Thailand attended the 26th session of JCB, held in New Delhi, from 23 to 25 June 2003. A report on the deliberations of the
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session was presented to the 40th CCPDM. The Regional Committee may note the report of the CCPDM on this subject.
4.2 Nominations Under Paragraph 2.2.2 There will be one vacancy from the South-East Asia Region on 1 January 2004 under paragraph 2.2.2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (governments selected by the WHO Regional Committee) when the term of office of Bangladesh expires on 31 December 2003. As such, the fifty-sixth session of the Regional Committee is required to select one country in place of Bangladesh.