EB150/2022/REC/2
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
EXECUTIVE BOARD 150TH SESSION
GENEVA, 24–29 JANUARY 2022
SUMMARY RECORDS
GENEVA
2022
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2022
EB150/2022/REC/2
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
EXECUTIVE BOARD 150TH SESSION
GENEVA, 24–29 JANUARY 2022
SUMMARY RECORDS
GENEVA
2022
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ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviations used in WHO documentation include the following:
ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations
FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency
IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer
ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization
IFAD – International Fund for Agricultural Development
ILO – International Labour Organization (Office)
IMF – International Monetary Fund IMO – International Maritime
Organization INCB – International Narcotics Control
Board IOM – International Organization for
Migration ITU – International Telecommunication
Union OECD – Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development OIE – World Organisation for Animal
Health PAHO – Pan American Health
Organization
UNAIDS – Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund UNHCR – Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund UNIDO – United Nations Industrial
Development Organization UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime UNRWA – United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
WFP – World Food Programme WIPO – World Intellectual Property
Organization WMO – World Meteorological
Organization WTO – World Trade Organization
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The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this volume do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Where the designation “country or area” appears in the headings of tables, it covers countries, territories, cities or areas.
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PREFACE
The 150th session of the Executive Board was held at WHO headquarters, Geneva, from 24 to 29 January 2022. The proceedings are issued in two volumes. The present volume contains the summary records of the Board’s discussions and details regarding membership of committees. The resolutions and decisions, and relevant annexes, are issued in document EB150/2022/REC/1. The list of participants and officers is contained in document EB150/DIV./1 Rev.1.
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CONTENTS
Page
Preface ............................................................................................................................................. iii
Agenda ........................................................................................................................................... ix
List of documents ............................................................................................................................ xiii
Committees and selection panels .................................................................................................... xix
SUMMARY RECORDS
First meeting
1. Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda .............................................................. 1 2. Report by the Director-General ............................................................................................. 2
Second meeting
1. Report by the Director-General (continued) ......................................................................... 10 2. Outcome of the Second special session of the World Health Assembly, held to consider
developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response ................................................................................... 14
Third meeting
Post of Director-General Nomination of candidates ........................................................................................... 22 Draft contract .............................................................................................................. 23
Fourth meeting
1. Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board .................................................................................................................... 26
Pillar 4: More effective and efficient who providing better support to countries 2. Budget and finance matters
Sustainable financing: report of the Working Group .................................................. 27 3. Report of the regional committees to the Executive Board .................................................. 37
Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies 4. Public health emergencies: preparedness and response
Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies .............. 38 Standing Committee on Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness and Response ....... 38
Page
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Fifth meeting
Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies (continued) Public health emergencies: preparedness and response (continued)
Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies (continued) .................................................................................................................. 45 Standing Committee on Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness and Response (continued) .................................................................................................................. 45
Sixth meeting
Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies (continued) 1. Public health emergencies: preparedness and response (continued)
Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies (continued) .................................................................................................................. 59 Standing Committee on Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness and Response (continued) .................................................................................................................. 59
Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage 2. Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the
prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (a) Draft implementation road map 2023–2030 for the global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013–2030 ............................. 67 (d) Draft recommendations on how to strengthen the design and implementation of policies, including those for resilient health systems and health services and infrastructure, to treat people living with noncommunicable diseases and to prevent and control their risk factors in humanitarian emergencies ........................... 67 (f) Progress achieved in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health .............................................................. 67 (j) Draft workplan for the global coordination mechanism on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases ........................................................................ 67
Seventh meeting
Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage (continued) Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the
prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (continued) (b) Draft recommendations to strengthen and monitor diabetes responses within national noncommunicable disease programmes, including potential targets ............ 84 (c) Draft global strategy on oral health ..................................................................... 84 (e) Progress in the implementation of the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem and in the achievement of its associated goals and targets for the period 2020–2030 ...................................... 84 (i) Draft recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity over the life course, including potential targets .................................................................. 84 (g) Draft intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders in support of universal health coverage ....................................................... 94 (h) Draft action plan (2022–2030) to effectively implement the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority ..................................... 94
Page
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Eighth meeting
Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage (continued) 1. Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the
prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (continued) (g) Draft intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders in support of universal health coverage (continued) ................................... 101 (h) Draft action plan (2022–2030) to effectively implement the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority (continued) .................. 101
2. The global health sector strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections ............................................................................................................ 105 Global strategy for tuberculosis research and innovation ..................................................... 105 Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 .......................................................... 105
3. Immunization Agenda 2030 .................................................................................................. 118 Infection prevention and control .......................................................................................... 118 Global road map on defeating meningitis by 2030 ............................................................... 118
Ninth meeting
Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage (continued) 1. Immunization Agenda 2030 (continued) .............................................................................. 125
Infection prevention and control (continued) ........................................................................ 125 Global road map on defeating meningitis by 2030 (continued) ............................................ 125
Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies (continued) 2. Public health emergencies: preparedness and response (continued)
WHO’s work in health emergencies ........................................................................... 130 Influenza preparedness ............................................................................................... 130 Global Health for Peace Initiative .............................................................................. 130
3. Poliomyelitis Poliomyelitis eradication ............................................................................................ 143 Polio transition planning and polio post-certification ................................................. 143
Tenth meeting
Pillar 4: More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries (continued) 1. Management matters
Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment ........................................... 147
Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies (continued) 2. Poliomyelitis (continued)
Poliomyelitis eradication (continued) ......................................................................... 156 Poliomyelitis transition planning and polio post-certification (continued)……………………. ................................................................................. 156
3. Public health emergencies: preparedness and response (continued) Standing Committee on Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness and Response (continued) .................................................................................................................. 160
Pillar 3: One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being 4. Maternal, infant and young child nutrition ........................................................................... 160 5. WHO’s implementation framework for Billion 3
• WHO global strategy for food safety ...................................................................... 168
Page
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Eleventh meeting
Pillar 3: One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being (continued) 1. WHO’s implementation framework for Billion 3 (continued)
• WHO global strategy for food safety (continued) ................................................... 182
Pillar 4: More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries (continued) 2. Budget and finance matters (continued)
Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2020–2021 and outlook on financing of the Programme budget 2022–2023 .................................................... 183 Programme budget 2022–2023 ................................................................................... 184 Scale of assessments 2022–2023 ................................................................................ 184 Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution: situation in respect of 2020 .......................................... 184
3. Management matters (continued) Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (continued)........................ 185 Evaluation: update and proposed workplan for 2022–2023 ....................................... 185
Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage (continued) Pillar 4: More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries (resumed) 4. Standardization of medical devices nomenclature ................................................................ 186 Governance matters ............................................................................................................... 186
Global strategies and plans of action that are scheduled to expire within one year • Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual
property ................................................................................................................... 186 WHO reform: involvement of non-State actors in WHO’s governing bodies ............ 198 Engagement with non-State actors • Report on the implementation of the Framework of Engagement with
Non-State Actors ..................................................................................................... 198 • Non-State actors in official relations with WHO .................................................... 198 Provisional agenda of the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly and date and place of the 151st session of the Executive Board ...................................................... 202
Twelfth meeting
Pillar 4: More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries (continued) 1. Committees of the Executive Board
Participation in the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board .......................................................................................................... 205 Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee • Terms of reference ................................................................................................... 205 Foundation committees and selection panels .............................................................. 206
2. Staffing matters Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations ................................. 207 Report of the Ombudsman .......................................................................................... 207 Human resources: update ............................................................................................ 207 Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules ............................................... 207 Report of the International Civil Service Commission ............................................... 207
3. Report on meetings of expert committees and study groups • Expert advisory panels and committees and their membership .............................. 212
4. Management matters (continued) Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (continued)........................ 212
5. Closure of the session ............................................................................................................ 213 _______________
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AGENDA1
1. Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda
2. Report by the Director-General
3. Outcome of the Second special session of the World Health Assembly, held to consider developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response
4. Report of the regional committees to the Executive Board
5. Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board
6. Post of Director-General
6.1 Nomination of candidates
6.2 Draft contract
6.3 [deleted]
Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage
7. Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
(a) Draft implementation road map 2023–2030 for the global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013–2030
(b) Draft recommendations to strengthen and monitor diabetes responses within national noncommunicable disease programmes, including potential targets
(c) Draft global strategy on oral health
(d) Draft recommendations on how to strengthen the design and implementation of policies, including those for resilient health systems and health services and infrastructure, to treat people living with noncommunicable diseases and to prevent and control their risk factors in humanitarian emergencies
(e) Progress in the implementation of the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem and in the achievement of its associated goals and targets for the period 2020–2030
1 As adopted by the Board at its first meeting (24 January 2022).
EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
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(f) Progress achieved in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health
(g) Draft intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders in support of universal health coverage
(h) Draft action plan (2022–2030) to effectively implement the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority
(i) Draft recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity over the life course, including potential targets
(j) Draft workplan for the global coordination mechanism on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases
8. The global health sector strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections
9. Global strategy for tuberculosis research and innovation
10. Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030
11. Immunization Agenda 2030
12. Infection prevention and control
13. Global road map on defeating meningitis by 2030
14. Standardization of medical devices nomenclature
Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies
15. Public health emergencies: preparedness and response
15.1 Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies
15.2 Standing Committee on Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness and Response
15.3 WHO’s work in health emergencies
15.4 Influenza preparedness
15.5 Global Health for Peace Initiative
16. Poliomyelitis
16.1 Poliomyelitis eradication
16.2 Polio transition planning and polio post-certification
AGENDA
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Pillar 3: One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being
17. Maternal, infant and young child nutrition
18. WHO’s implementation framework for Billion 3
• WHO global strategy for food safety
Pillar 4: More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries
19. Budget and finance matters
19.1 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2020–2021 and outlook on financing of the Programme budget 2022–2023
19.2 Programme budget 2022–2023
19.3 Sustainable financing: report of the Working Group
19.4 Scale of assessments 2022–2023
19.5 Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution situation in respect of 2020
19.6 [deleted]
20. Management matters
20.1 Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment
20.2 Evaluation: update and proposed workplan for 2022–2023
21. Governance matters
21.1 Global strategies and plans of action that are scheduled to expire within one year
• Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property
21.2 WHO reform: involvement of non-State actors in WHO’s governing bodies
21.3 Engagement with non-State actors
• Report on the implementation of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors
• Non-State actors in official relations with WHO
21.4 Provisional agenda of the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly and date and place of the 151st session of the Executive Board
EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
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22. Committees of the Executive Board
22.1 Participation in the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board
22.2 Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee
• Terms of reference
• [deleted]
22.3 Foundation committees and selection panels
23. Staffing matters
23.1 Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations
23.2 Report of the Ombudsman
23.3 Human resources: update
23.4 Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules
23.5 Report of the International Civil Service Commission
24. Report on meetings of expert committees and study groups
• Expert advisory panels and committees and their membership
25. Closure of the session
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LIST OF DOCUMENTS
EB150/1 Rev.1 Agenda1
EB150/1 (annotated) Provisional agenda (annotated)
EB150/2 Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda Special procedures
EB150/3 Report by the Director-General
EB150/4 Report of the regional committees to the Executive Board
EB150/5 Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board
EB150/6 Post of Director-General Draft contract
EB150/7 Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases
EB150/7 Corr.1 Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases
EB150/7 Add.1 Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases
EB150/7 Add.2 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/8 The global health sector strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections
EB150/8 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/9 Global strategy for tuberculosis research and innovation
EB150/10 Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030
EB150/11 Immunization Agenda 2030
1 See page ix.
EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
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EB150/12 Infection prevention and control
EB150/13 Global road map on defeating meningitis by 2030
EB150/14 Standardization of medical devices nomenclature International classification, coding and nomenclature of medical devices
EB150/14 Add.1 Standardization of medical devices nomenclature International classification, coding and nomenclature of medical devices
EB150/14 Add.2 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/15 Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies
EB150/16 Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies Interim report of the Working Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies
EB150/17 Standing Committee on Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness and Response
EB150/18 Public health emergencies: preparedness and response WHO’s work in health emergencies
EB150/19 Influenza preparedness
EB150/20 Global Health for Peace Initiative
EB150/21 Poliomyelitis Poliomyelitis eradication
EB150/22 Poliomyelitis Polio transition planning and polio post-certification
EB150/23 Maternal, infant and young child nutrition Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition: biennial report
EB150/23 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/24 WHO’s implementation framework for Billion 3
EB150/25 WHO global strategy for food safety
LIST OF DOCUMENTS
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EB150/25 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/26 WHO global strategy for food safety Reducing public health risks associated with the sale of live wild animals of mammalian species in traditional food markets – infection prevention and control
EB150/26 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/27 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2020–2021 and outlook on financing of the Programme budget 2022–2023
EB150/28 Programme budget 2022–2023 Proposed revision
EB150/29 Programme budget 2022–2023 Extending the Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2023 to 2025
EB150/29 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/30 Sustainable financing
EB150/31 Scale of assessments 2022–2023
EB150/32 Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution Situation in respect of 2020
EB150/33 Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment
EB150/33 Add.1 Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment Draft decision
EB150/34 Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment Report of the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme’s Subcommittee for the Prevention and Response to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment
EB150/35 Evaluation: update and proposed workplan for 2022‒2023
EB150/36 Global strategies and plans of action that are scheduled to expire within one year Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property, for the period 2008‒2022
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EB150/37 WHO reform Involvement of non-State actors in WHO’s governing bodies
EB150/37 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/38 Engagement with non-State actors Report on the implementation of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors
EB150/39 Engagement with non-State actors Non-State actors in official relations with WHO
EB150/39 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/40 Provisional agenda of the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly
EB150/41 Date and place of the 151st session of the Executive Board
EB150/42 Committees of the Executive Board Participation in the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board
EB150/43 Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee: terms of reference
EB150/44 Foundation committees and selection panels
EB150/45 Human resources: update
EB150/46 Rev.1 Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules
EB150/46 Add.1 Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of resolutions proposed for adoption by the Executive Board
EB150/47 Report of the International Civil Service Commission
EB150/48 Report on meetings of expert committees and study groups
EB150/48 Add.1 Report on meetings of expert committees and study groups Expert advisory panels and committees and their membership
EB150/49 Appointment of the Director, Evaluation
LIST OF DOCUMENTS
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Information documents
EB150/INF./1 Decision-making and procedural issues at the hybrid 150th session of the Executive Board
EB150/INF./2 Post of Director-General Nomination of candidates
EB150/INF./3 Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations
EB150/INF./4 Report of the Ombudsman
EB150/INF./5 Report of the Ombudsman Ombudsman’s recommendations: progress on implementation
EB150/INF./6 Practical arrangements for the conduct of the secret ballot vote for the nomination of the candidate for the post of Director-General
Diverse documents
EB150/DIV./1 Rev.1 List of members and other participants
EB150/DIV./2 Preliminary daily timetable
EB150/DIV./3 List of resolutions and decisions
EB150/DIV./4 List of documents
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COMMITTEES AND SELECTION PANELS1
1. Programme, Budget and Administration Committee2
Mrs Carla Moretti (Argentina), Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu (Ghana), Mr Nickolas Steele (Grenada), Mr Rajesh Bhushan (India), Dr Hiroki Nakatani (Japan), Professor Jean Louis Rakotovao Hanitrala (Madagascar), Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi (Oman), Mr Mikhail Albertovič Murashko (Russian Federation), Dr Janil Puthucheary (Singapore), Mr Narciso Fernandes (Timor-Leste), Mr Abdulrahman Al Owais (United Arab Emirates), and Professor Chris Whitty (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
Thirty-fifth meeting, 19–21 January 2022:3 Mr Nickolas Steele (Grenada, Chair), Mrs Carla Moretti (Argentina), Mr Clemens Martin Auer (Austria, member ex officio), Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu (Ghana), Mr Rajesh Bhushan (India), Dr Hiroki Nakatani (Japan), Dr Patrick Amoth (Kenya, member ex officio), Professeur Zely Arivelo Randriamanantany (Madagascar, alternate to Professor Jean Louis Rakotovao Hanitrala), Dr Fatma Mohammed Al Ajmi (Oman, alternate to Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi), Mr Mikhail Albertovič Murashko (Russian Federation), Dr Janil Puthucheary (Singapore), Mr Narciso Fernandes (Timor-Leste), Mr Abdulrahman Al Owais (United Arab Emirates), and Mr Danny Andrews (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, alternate to Professor Chris Whitty).
2. Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize
The Chairman of the Executive Board (member ex officio), the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bilkent University, Turkey, or the Chair’s appointee and a representative of the International Children’s Centre, Ankara, Turkey.
Meeting of 24 January 2022: Dr Patrick Amoth (Kenya, Chair), Professor Gülsev Kale (Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bilkent University), Professor Tomris Türmen (representative of the International Children’s Centre).
3. Sasakawa Health Prize Selection Panel
The Chair of the Executive Board (member ex officio), a member of the Executive Board and a representative of the founder.
Meeting of 25 January 2022: Dr Patrick Amoth (Kenya, Chair), Dr Janil Puthucheary (Singapore), Professor Etsuko Kita, Chair of the Sasakawa Health Foundation (representative of the founder).
1 Showing current membership and the names of those who attended the meetings to which reference is made. 2 Showing the membership as determined by the Executive Board in decision EB149(6) (2021). 3 See document EBPBAC35/DIV./1.
EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
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4. United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize
The Chair of the Executive Board (member ex officio), a member of the Executive Board from a Member State of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and a representative of the founder.
Meeting of 25 January 2022: Dr Patrick Amoth (Kenya, Chair), Professor Ali Mrabet (Tunisia), Dr Mohammad Salim Alolama, Undersecretary, Ministry of Health and Prevention (United Arab Emirates) (representative of the founder).
5. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion
The Chair of the Executive Board (member ex officio), a member of the Executive Board from a Member State of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and a representative of the founder.
Meeting of 24 January 2022: Dr Patrick Amoth (Kenya, Chair), Dr Hassan Mohammad Al Ghabbash (Syrian Arab Republic), Dr Fatma Alnajar, Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Quality, Ministry of Health (Kuwait) (representative of the founder).
6. Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize Selection Panel
The Chair of the Executive Board (member ex officio), a member of the Executive Board and a representative of the founder.
Meeting of 26 January 2022: Dr Patrick Amoth (Kenya, Chair), Dr Hiroki Nakatani (Japan) replacing Dr Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu (Tonga), Mr Kwan-soo Ahn, Secretary General, Korea Foundation for International Health Care (KOFIH) (representative of the founder).
7. Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion
The Chair and the first Vice-Chair of the Executive Board (members ex officio) and a member of the Executive Board from a Member State of the African Region. A representative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation invited as an observer.
Meeting of 26 January 2022: Dr Patrick Amoth (Kenya, Chair), Dr Clemens Martin Auer (Austria) fourth Vice-Chair replacing the first Vice-Chair, Dr Wahid Majrooh (Afghanistan), Professor Adama Traoré (Burkina Faso). Ms Lebogand Lebese, Attaché, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland (Representative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation as observer).
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FIRST MEETING
Monday, 24 January 2022, at 10:15
Chair: Dr P. AMOTH (Kenya)
1. OPENING OF THE SESSION AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA: Item 1 of the
provisional agenda (documents EB150/1, EB150/1 (annotated), EB150/2 and EB150/INF./1).
Opening of the session
The CHAIR declared open the 150th session of the Executive Board, which, in the context of the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Board had agreed would take place in a hybrid format.
He noted a proposal that Dr Hiroki Nakatani (Japan) should replace Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala (Tonga), who was unable to participate in the session owing to the recent natural disaster in the country, in the meeting of the Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health Selection Panel. He also noted that one of the Vice-Chairs should replace Dr Wahid Majrooh (Afghanistan), who appeared not to be present, at that stage, at the session of the Board, in the meeting of the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion Selection Panel. He took it that those proposals were acceptable to the Board.
It was so agreed.
Expression of sympathies
On behalf of WHO, the CHAIR conveyed his sympathies to and solidarity with the Government and the people of Tonga following the recent volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Organization of work
The CHAIR invited the Board to consider the special procedures to regulate the conduct of hybrid sessions of the Executive Board, contained in document EB150/2. In the absence of any objections, he took it that the Board wished to adopt the draft decision contained in document EB150/2.
The decision was adopted.1
Note verbale submitted by the Government of Ethiopia
The CHAIR said that the subject matter of the note verbale submitted by the Government of Ethiopia was political in nature and implications. As such, it lay outside the Board’s agreed procedural framework. He therefore proposed that it should be addressed by those concerned via alternative channels. In the absence of any objection, he took it that the Board agreed with that proposal.
It was so agreed.
1 Decision EB150(1).
2 EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
Adoption of the agenda
The CHAIR noted that the Secretariat had proposed the deletion of a number of provisional
agenda items that were not needed: provisional agenda item 6.3, Modalities of the second candidates’
forum; provisional agenda item 19.6, Amendments to the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules;
and the second bullet point on membership under provisional agenda item 22.2, Independent Expert
Oversight Advisory Committee. He took it that the Board agreed to that proposal.
It was so agreed.
The agenda, as amended, was adopted.1
The representative of FRANCE, speaking on behalf of the European Union and its
Member States, recalled that, as agreed in an exchange of letters in the year 2000 between WHO and
the European Commission on the consolidation and intensification of cooperation, and without prejudice
to any future general agreement between WHO and the European Union, the European Union attended
sessions of the Board as an observer. She requested that, as at previous sessions, representatives of the
European Union should be invited to participate, without vote, in the meetings of the 150th session of
the Board and its committees, subcommittees, drafting groups or other subdivisions that addressed
matters falling within the competence of the European Union.
The CHAIR took it that the Board wished to accede to the request.
It was so agreed.
2. REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Item 2 of the agenda (document EB150/3)
The DIRECTOR-GENERAL expressed his deepest condolences to the Government and the
people of Tonga following the recent natural disaster. WHO was working with its partners to provide
medical expertise and supplies to support the response. He thanked the Regional Director for the
Western Pacific and the country office for their efforts to support that process.
Almost two years on from the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern
regarding the outbreak of COVID-19, its effects were still having a profound impact across the world,
with a continued and widespread increase in the number of cases. The world would be living with
COVID-19 for the foreseeable future and would need to learn to manage it through a sustained and
integrated system for acute respiratory diseases, which would provide a platform for future pandemic
preparedness. Given the unpredictable nature of the virus, it was dangerous to assume that the Omicron
variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (B.1.1.529) would be the
last variant, or that the world was in the endgame. On the contrary, globally the conditions were ideal
for the emergence of more variants.
To alter the course of the pandemic, the conditions driving it must be changed. Each country was
in a unique situation and must chart its way out of the acute phase of the pandemic following a careful,
stepwise approach. Comprehensive application at the country level of the evidence, strategies, tools and
technical and operational support provided by WHO could result in the acute phase ending in the year
2022. The shared target of vaccinating 70% of the population of every country must be achieved by
mid-2022, with a focus on the most at-risk groups. It was vital to reduce mortality through strong clinical
management, beginning with primary health care, and through equitable access to diagnostics, oxygen
and antiviral treatments. Testing and sequencing rates must be boosted globally and the use of public
health and social measures must be calibrated. It was also necessary to restore and sustain essential
1 Document EB150/1 Rev.1.
SUMMARY RECORDS: FIRST MEETING 3
health services, learn critical lessons and define new solutions. Engaged and empowered communities,
sustained financing, equity, and research and innovation were essential to achieve those goals.
Many countries still had unacceptably low vaccination coverage, but progress was being made in
bridging the gap. The COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility had delivered its one
billionth dose the previous week and had shipped more vaccines in the previous 10 weeks than in the 10
preceding months combined. WHO and its partners were working around the clock to overcome
challenges in rolling out vaccines as quickly and as far as possible.
In view of the severe disruption caused by the pandemic to health systems, economies and
societies and to much of the shared work towards achieving the triple billion targets, the Secretariat was
proposing a two-year extension of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2023 to the year
2025. Even before the pandemic, the world had been not been on track to achieve the triple billion targets
and was now even further behind, especially in relation to the target of one billion more people
benefiting from universal health coverage.
Despite the ravages of the pandemic, the year 2021 had been a landmark year in terms of progress
in tackling communicable diseases, with the issuance of the WHO recommendations for widespread use
of the world’s first malaria vaccine. Significant progress had also been achieved in other areas, including
towards eradicating wild poliovirus and eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or
syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and several neglected tropical diseases. Notable advances had been made in
addressing noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes. Access to medicines,
health products and health services had also increased. Furthermore, WHO had launched a costing and
budgeting tool to support the implementation of national action plans on antimicrobial resistance.
Although good progress had been made towards the target of one billion more people enjoying
better health and well-being, those gains were mostly in high-income countries, with stark and immense
inequalities remaining both within and between countries. Nevertheless, achievements included a
continued decrease in tobacco use, advances in the elimination of trans-fatty acids, and a reduction in
the rates of child wasting.
The target of one billion more people better protected from health emergencies was close to being
achieved, but the COVID-19 pandemic had demonstrated the need for greater ambition, better
preparedness and improved measurement of protection against health emergencies. Although the
Secretariat was focusing its work on supporting countries to respond to the pandemic, it continued to
respond to other health emergencies around the world and had implemented initiatives to strengthen
future emergency and pandemic preparedness.
WHO would continue to develop high quality norms and standards, with the aim of translating
technical products into impact at the country level, and was committed to strengthening data and health
information systems to monitor progress. The COVID-19 pandemic had served as a brutal reminder of
the centrality of health to development and prosperity. The Organization’s founding vision must be
reinterpreted and revitalized for the modern world.
Outlining five key priorities for WHO and the world, he said that countries must be supported to
make an urgent paradigm shift towards promoting health and well-being and preventing disease by
addressing its root causes. Health systems must be radically reoriented towards primary health care as
the foundation of universal health coverage by: ensuring access to essential health services; focusing on
the least-served, most vulnerable populations; ensuring access to vaccines, medicines, diagnostics,
devices and other health products; and investing in the health workforce. The systems and tools for
epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response must urgently be strengthened at all levels,
underpinned by strong governance and financing, and coordinated globally by WHO.
The recent decision of the Health Assembly to negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other
international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response represented a giant stride
forward, and all Member States should engage constructively in that process. The powers of science,
research innovation, data and digital technologies must be harnessed as critical enablers of the four other
priorities, with WHO playing a key role as a convener of research. WHO must urgently be strengthened
as the leading and directing authority on global health, at the centre of the global health architecture. Its
transformation must continue in order to make it more effective, efficient and accountable. To achieve
those aims and deliver results, WHO’s current funding model must change. Sustainable, predictable and
4 EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
flexible funding was needed to enable the Organization to meet Member States’ expectations for a
healthier, safer and fairer world in which equity was a reality.
The representative of KENYA, speaking on behalf of the Member States of the African Region, said that, to prevent further surges of COVID-19 and the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, manufacturers of vaccines and therapeutics should share intellectual property so as to increase the scale and speed of production, with a focus on enhancing regional manufacturing. Member States could greatly contribute to those efforts through the timely sharing of vaccine doses and by supporting the COVAX Facility and removing any barriers to equitable distribution.
Radical changes to the financing model for WHO were needed to improve preparedness for present and future health threats. The Board should take bold steps and adopt recommendations that would improve the financing of the Organization and place it on a more stable footing as the lead United Nations entity for coordinating global health. Noting the estimated budget increase for the biennium 2022–2023 in support of programmes under the WHO Health Emergencies Programme and WHO’s work on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, he welcomed the proposed administrative changes at the global and regional levels to improve oversight and accountability and prevent the recurrence of allegations of such misconduct. He nevertheless urged the Secretariat to maintain its focus on the needs of the most vulnerable by supporting Member States in meeting their national and global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. He looked forward to updates on the establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to Strengthen Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.
The representative of JAPAN, welcoming WHO’s achievements during the previous year, thanked the Director-General for his strong leadership and WHO staff members for their dedication and efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic had revealed global vulnerabilities and inequalities and highlighted the importance of resilient health systems and the need for immediate action to achieve universal health coverage. His Government would participate actively in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to develop a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and in discussions on strengthening the International Health Regulations (2005), including through potential targeted amendments. With regard to sustainable financing, the Secretariat should hold in-depth consultations with Member States on further strengthening the Organization’s financial discipline and transparency, with the aim of finding a middle ground.
The representative of MALAYSIA acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Secretariat and the
Working Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies to address
weaknesses in health care systems that had been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening
implementation of and compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005) must be a top
priority. The establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body would contribute to building an
inclusive, accountable, equitable and transparent global health architecture. The world needed to reach
a normative consensus on how to live with COVID-19. Countries should prioritize vaccines, vigilance
and community empowerment over extended lockdowns and border controls while recognizing that the
unchecked spread of the Omicron variant would entail high human and economic costs and would not
bring about an endgame. The mental health impacts of the pandemic must not be ignored. Outlining his
Government’s efforts to deal with the virus, he highlighted the urgent need for equitable distribution of
and access to vaccines, tests, sequencing and therapeutics. Best practices on technological and digital
interventions must be shared between countries.
He commended WHO’s efforts to fulfil its mandate despite resource constraints and expressed
appreciation for the extensive work of the Working Group on Sustainable Financing. Sustainable
financing was crucial, especially for the realization of the shared vision of health in the Western Pacific
Region. The financial benefits of an incremental increase in assessed contributions should be equitably
distributed across all levels of the Organization.
The representative of the UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN
IRELAND thanked the Director-General and the Secretariat for their tireless efforts to deal not only
SUMMARY RECORDS: FIRST MEETING 5
with the COVID-19 pandemic but also with a range of wider health challenges. The pandemic continued
to underline the importance of collaboration at the global level, especially in accelerating equitable
access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, and of continual vigilance to respond to future
pandemics and other global health emergencies. It was important to reform the global health architecture
and mechanisms for health emergencies. The long-standing challenges associated with the
unpredictability of WHO’s financing must also be addressed and linked to clearer processes for agreeing
priorities in which the Board should pay a key role.
The establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to develop a WHO convention,
agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response had
been a vital step. Ensuring the effectiveness of the International Health Regulations (2005) and
strengthening global surveillance to detect future variants or new health threats were also essential.
Initiatives such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and other research and
innovative global efforts were critical to ensure equitable access to medicines. Clinical trials should be
incentivized globally and individuals participating in them should not be disadvantaged in relation to
international travel. However, the importance of other global health issues must not be forgotten,
including the need to strengthen country and regional health systems, address the health threats posed
by climate change and antimicrobial resistance, and tackle ongoing threats and global diseases such as
tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS while supporting advancements in other important areas, including
women’s health, mental health and noncommunicable diseases. He expressed appreciation for WHO’s
work on tackling sexual exploitation and abuse and called for a zero tolerance approach.
The representative of the RUSSIAN FEDERATION said that the COVID-19 pandemic had
seriously tested health systems and had shown that international collaboration and the exchange of best
practices were fundamental to mounting an effective response. WHO’s central coordinating and
leadership role in international cooperation on global health issues should be strengthened. The Working
Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies must confirm that
the International Health Regulations (2005) represented the key legally binding instrument for health
emergency preparedness. The introduction of a risk management system could improve the efficiency
and quality of health care during a pandemic, as one element of pandemic response, by breaking down
clinical incidents into the component parts of a problem, thereby enabling a more rapid and effective
response.
He welcomed WHO’s swift action to address the Omicron variant and said that his Government
would do its utmost to help to achieve the target of vaccinating 70% of the global population by mid-
2022, including by supplying vaccination products. His Government also welcomed the work on
demographic indicators and on the use of digital technologies in the health sector, and stood ready to
play a leading role in collecting data and driving progress in the digitalization of health care. Lastly,
ensuring the future financial sustainability of health care was imperative and must be a key priority for
WHO and all countries.
The representative of SINGAPORE said that, despite continued challenges related to the
pandemic, countries were in a better position to take stock of global and national responses, build on
achievements and address weaknesses. The decision to establish the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Body had been a significant first step in strengthening the Organization’s work in pandemic prevention,
preparedness and response. The instrument must have clear objectives, achievable actions and tangible
outcomes. However, the achievement of global health security ultimately depended on the collective
actions of individual Member States; a greater emphasis on implementation, accountability and
transparency was therefore required.
It was essential to address the perennial problem of underfunding of WHO through frank
discussions. With respect to WHO’s role in the global health architecture, it had become increasingly
clear that the global health landscape now involved multiple actors rather than a few dominant entities.
Although such pluralism was beneficial, it increased the risk of fragmentation. Member States must
6 EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
ensure that WHO retained its leading normative and coordinating role to ensure a healthier and safer
world.
The representative of FRANCE, speaking on behalf of the European Union and its Member
States, said that the candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, the country of the
stabilization and association process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as
Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, aligned themselves with his statement. Although efforts
to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic had led to major scientific innovations and increased international
solidarity, the record numbers of cases, unequal vaccination coverage and lack of access to medical
countermeasures meant that other health issues were being neglected and exacerbated. Further concerted
action was needed to achieve the global goals set for mid-2022. The European Union was fully
committed to supporting the global response.
The current momentum should be harnessed in order to address the gaps and challenges in the
global health architecture. The development of a WHO convention, agreement or other international
instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and the updating of the International
Health Regulations (2005) would contribute to those efforts. WHO’s role in leading and coordinating
international health work, in collaboration with partners, must be strengthened. Increased efficiency
through streamlined governance and accountability and a Board committed to greater transparency and
swift decision-making processes would be key. Sustainable financing of the Organization was likewise
central.
The pandemic must be a catalyst for achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals,
not a pretext for justifying delays. It had underlined the importance of health as a condition for the proper
functioning of societies and had illustrated the dramatic consequences of a lack of access to primary
health care. A One Health approach that took into account the interface between human and animal
health and environmental factors should be established and implemented. Countries must work together
to address the global burden of noncommunicable diseases and meet target 3.4 of the Sustainable
Development Goals.
The representative of DENMARK said that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed vulnerabilities
within both WHO and countries but had also served to further emphasize the importance of multilateral
cooperation and its essential role in overcoming a pandemic. It was important to share knowledge and
learn from the experience of dealing with the current pandemic in order to increase preparedness for
future health emergencies. To ensure that WHO maintained its leading role in global health, it was
imperative not to lose sight of the many other prevailing health challenges, including antimicrobial
resistance, noncommunicable diseases and the negative consequences of poor mental health. Countries
must continue working together to fight the pandemic while also aspiring to make their populations
healthier.
The representative of GUYANA thanked the Director-General and WHO staff for their leadership
of the COVID-19 response. Although the pandemic would have a long-term impact on physical and
mental health and on lives and livelihoods, many of the health gains made in the previous two decades
had been preserved, even in poor countries, thanks to the unwavering commitment of health care
providers. He called for more stringent action to overcome health inequity and ensure that developing
countries had access to vaccines, medicines and other medical supplies necessary for an effective
response to COVID-19. Expressing appreciation for the support provided to help his Government to roll
out the national vaccination programme, he called on WHO to intensify efforts to facilitate local
production of essential medicines and medical supplies in developing countries. Without formal equity
systems, the targets under the Sustainable Development Goals could not be achieved, especially
regarding universal health coverage. Many countries were not benefiting from the improvement and
availability of information system technology, leaving the vast majority of the global population without
high-quality electronic medical records, which were a critical component of effective medical systems.
Lastly, he welcomed action to address substance abuse and called for the acceleration of work on the
One Health agenda.
SUMMARY RECORDS: FIRST MEETING 7
The representative of ARGENTINA said that attention should be focused on the most vulnerable
groups in society, who had been hardest hit by the pandemic. Her Government looked forward to
participating in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to develop a WHO convention, agreement or
other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, which should
complement existing instruments and draw on lessons learned from the pandemic. Although the increase
in vaccine distribution through the COVAX Facility was welcome, the global response to the health
emergency had been characterized by inequitable access to medicines and vaccines. The request
submitted by the Governments of India and South Africa to the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to waive the implementation, application and enforcement of
certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of
COVID-19 for the duration of the pandemic remained unresolved after more than a year. She called for
efforts to be redoubled to meet the target of vaccinating 70% of the global population by June 2022.
Local production of health products and technologies must be strengthened, and scientific and regulatory
capacities boosted, including through mechanisms for technology transfer and access to financing.
A cross-cutting approach to tackling mental health was required, with a shift in focus from
combating mental illness to seeking the necessary resources and protecting and promoting health. Lastly,
she encouraged the Board to recommend that the Health Assembly should suggest to the United Nations
General Assembly, at its Seventy-seventh session, that the latter hold a high-level meeting to analyse
the multidimensional character of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The representative of BELARUS said that outstanding health challenges exacerbated negative
trends in global politics and hampered sustainable development. Strengthening WHO’s role and capacity
and improving emergency preparedness and response were key priorities, and the Director-General’s
efforts to adapt the Organization to current realities were therefore welcome.
His Government stood ready to participate in the intergovernmental process to develop a WHO
convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and
response. Summarizing national action to tackle COVID-19, he highlighted the importance of the
national context when responding to the pandemic, the need for a balanced approach to protect both
human health and the economy, and his Government’s readiness to share vaccines and participate in
global efforts to combat COVID-19 under WHO’s leadership.
The representative of AUSTRIA cautioned against further fragmentation of responsibilities and
competences when creating a new global architecture for health emergencies. The introduction of
unnecessary additional structures would reduce inclusivity and transparency. Health emergencies were
a matter for all countries and not just a few large, wealthy Member States. The Director-General should
submit a proposal for a new global architecture for health emergencies to the Health Assembly at its
Seventy-fifth session. As quickly as WHO was moving on the matter, so were other interested potential
partners losing momentum. WHO must defend its role as the competent authority on public health and
health emergencies. A cross-sectoral approach was necessary but must be implemented under the strong
leadership of WHO.
The representative of TIMOR-LESTE applauded the Director-General for his exemplary
leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Timely technical assistance and extensive support from the
Regional Office for South-East Asia, the country office and other partners had enabled his Government
to manage COVID-19 and ensure high national vaccination coverage. He commended the Secretariat
on its work in addressing health security and strengthening social security, especially for vulnerable
groups, and looked forward to continued support to ensure that no one was left behind. Health system
resilience required a strong emergency and critical care system, and WHO should increase the use of
data for decision-making.
The representative of SLOVENIA welcomed the proliferation of new initiatives to improve
structures for the global response to health threats but said that some were being discussed behind closed
doors with input from only a few countries. A multilateral approach in which all countries had a voice
8 EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
was vital. WHO had always been such a platform and should continue to play a central, leading role in
all reforms of the global health architecture.
The COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the need for greater solidarity, improved global
mechanisms for health emergency prevention and response, increased cooperation and
knowledge-sharing between regions, and health systems strengthening at the global level. Although
noncommunicable diseases represented the highest burden on health systems, only a minuscule amount
was spent on preventive services and governments were often hesitant to adopt effective policies to
address health determinants and risk factors. In a fast-changing world, it was more urgent than ever to
work together to implement change in order to ensure a rapid and effective health sector response and a
better understanding of countries’ populations.
The representative of COLOMBIA said that he shared the concern expressed by others that many
regions of the world were not on track to meet the target of vaccinating at least 70% of the global
population against COVID-19 by mid-2022. Achieving that goal required strengthened multilateralism,
the leadership of WHO and the commitment of all countries to ensure equitable access to COVID-19
vaccines. As a Co-Chair of the COVAX Facility Shareholders Council, his Government welcomed the
recent increase in vaccine distribution, especially to the most vulnerable regions, and called for
intensified efforts in the year 2022 to meet the needs of low- and middle-income countries. In addition
to vaccine production and delivery, it was important to ensure the necessary infrastructure for vaccine
administration and cold-chain preservation, as well as to strengthen human resources in recipient
countries and educate populations about the global vaccination effort in order to encourage vaccine
acceptance. The transfer of technology, in particular mRNA technology, to South Africa and South
America was welcome and must be rolled out more widely in the near and medium term.
The representative of OMAN thanked the Director-General for his leadership throughout his
tenure. Supporting the call for equitable access to all health goods, he recognized the heroic efforts of
health care workers around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of whom had not had
access to personal protective equipment, therapeutics, diagnostics or vaccines. Outlining the action taken
by his Government to combat COVID-19, he said that the lessons learned would help to improve health
care in his country. He expressed support for WHO reform initiatives, especially on sustainable
financing, without which WHO could not meet Member States’ expectations. A new WHO convention,
agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response was
essential and would not weaken but could instead strengthen the International Health Regulations
(2005). The international community must work together, not only to manage the current pandemic, but
also to try to prevent those that would inevitably occur in the future. Lastly, he called for action on the
alarming issue of antimicrobial resistance.
The representative of BURKINA FASO, speaking on behalf of the Member States of the African
Region, expressed support for the establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, which
should take into account in its work the issue of palliative care, including the associated human
resources, financing and health products. In view of the urgency of the current global heath situation,
the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body should complete its work in one year so that the convention,
agreement or other international instrument could be implemented as of the year 2023.
The representative of TAJIKISTAN, commending WHO’s hard work on COVID-19 vaccination
and on strengthening the role of primary health care, said that the pandemic had revealed shortcomings
in the global health system, which required national, regional and international health and development
organizations to change the way they worked. Much depended on changes in health financing and his
Government supported the Director-General’s proposal in that regard, which it hoped would lead to
better health in the future.
The representative of GRENADA, thanking the Director-General for his support throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic, said that vaccine equity was the only true way out of the pandemic. Steps must
SUMMARY RECORDS: FIRST MEETING 9
be taken to tackle antimicrobial resistance and the ongoing burden of noncommunicable diseases. In
addition, further support should be provided to tackle vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases.
The representative of PERU, describing his Government’s efforts to tackle COVID-19, said that
the international community’s failure to create a global mechanism to protect the most vulnerable
populations had led to inequities in access to vaccines, equipment and human resources and in survival
rates. WHO and other international organizations should therefore work towards the development of
mechanisms to promote solidarity and health equity. Welcoming WHO’s efforts to address vaccine
inequity, he called on countries to work together to develop effective systems for manufacturing
vaccines and the biological elements and other equipment necessary to guarantee the right of their
populations to health care. His Government had decided to donate surplus vaccines as a mark of
solidarity and to help to rid the world of COVID-19.
The meeting rose at 13:00.
- 10 -
SECOND MEETING
Monday, 24 January 2022, at 14:20
Chair: Dr P. AMOTH (Kenya)
1. REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Item 2 of the agenda (document EB150/3)
(continued)
The representative of the SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC said that the coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) pandemic had exposed weaknesses and discrepancies among both developed and
developing countries and was also hindering achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite the ongoing challenges, his country was still being subjected to sanctions by the United States
of America and others that were impeding its pandemic response efforts, despite the recognition by the
United Nations Secretary-General that sanctions were negatively affecting the capacity of countries to
combat the pandemic. People in the occupied Syrian Golan and the occupied Palestinian territory,
including East Jerusalem, were also facing major health challenges as a result of callous practices by the
Israeli authorities. He called upon the international community to provide emergency assistance to
Syrian families that had been displaced and left without shelter in dire weather conditions as a result of
the sanctions, which were tantamount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The representative of ETHIOPIA,1 noting the report contained in document EB150/3, said that
the Director-General had not lived up to the integrity and professional expectations required of his
position, and had been using his office to advance his personal political interests at the expense of
Ethiopia.
The CHAIR said that the representative of Ethiopia’s comments were made in reference to a note
verbale and the subject matter that the Board had considered at its first meeting should be addressed by
those concerned via alternative channels. Citing Rule 14 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive
Board, he reminded the speaker to refrain from remarks that were not relevant to the subject under
discussion.
The representative of NORWAY1 said that the pandemic had shown WHO to be an indispensable
actor for all countries in preventing and responding to health crises. There were a number of important
issues to be discussed to ensure WHO’s capacity to fulfil its mandate: establishment of a sound legal
framework for pandemic preparedness and a strong commitment from WHO to transparency;
sustainable financing of WHO, which should be ensured in part through a significant increase in assessed
contributions; and a stronger culture of accountability and integrity, which would require solid systems
for tackling exploitation, harassment and abuse and increased action by senior management to restore
trust in WHO. While governance reform was an integral element in work on those three areas, Member
States must be mindful of the need not to create new structures and to ensure WHO’s efficiency and
independence.
The representative of the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA1 said that, although her country had been
caught unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire health system had been strengthened thanks
1 Participating by virtue of Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board.
SUMMARY RECORDS: SECOND MEETING 11
to the pandemic response and the valuable support of the international community, including WHO. The
next step would be to draw on the lessons learned from the pandemic and the need to strengthen
rehabilitation services for treating long-term symptoms of COVID-19, address the silent epidemic of
antimicrobial resistance and improve digital health solutions. She thanked the Director-General for his
constant engagement in addressing the challenges of the pandemic. Her Government would continue to
cooperate with WHO to safeguard sustainable health systems.
The representative of CHINA 1 said that the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge for all
humanity that could only be overcome if countries worked together and were guided by science. His
Government praised the Director-General’s contribution to promoting international health cooperation
and assured him of its continued support. In addition to past donations made to support developing
countries’ pandemic response efforts, his Government had recently pledged to provide millions of
vaccine doses free of charge to African countries and ASEAN Member States, and would continue to
strengthen its cooperation with WHO and other stakeholders.
The representative of the PHILIPPINES1 commended the Director-General and the Secretariat
for their commitment to inclusive and transparent discussions on the sustainable financing of WHO and
for providing detailed information on the benefits of an international instrument for strengthening health
emergency preparedness and response. The COVID-19 pandemic had worsened inequalities and WHO
must have the capacity to support health systems strengthening at the primary care level through
universal health coverage and a One Health approach, in order to strengthen capacities to contain the
spread of pathogens. Regional action was needed to resolve issues of intellectual property, technology
transfer and increased local manufacturing capacity for health products, especially during emergencies;
however, efforts to combat noncommunicable diseases and address the social determinants of health
must not be neglected. His Government remained committed to promoting the achievement of the triple
billion targets and realizing a new vision for global health.
The representative of GERMANY,1 citing some of the many initiatives being launched in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said that the global health architecture was being fundamentally
reshaped. There was a need to look at the broader picture and link internal debates to those taking place
outside WHO’s governing bodies. The year 2022 would be decisive in ensuring whether global health
governance would become less fragmented, better coordinated and more inclusive than before the
pandemic, which was the only way to ensure real progress on the health-related Sustainable
Development Goals and make the world safer. Although not yet ideally equipped, WHO remained the
best positioned to lead and coordinate global health efforts, thanks to its universal membership and broad
mandate. It was therefore in the interest of all Member States to strengthen WHO and its role.
The representative of SPAIN1 said that WHO’s leading role in the multilateral response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and global health architecture should be recognized and strengthened. She
outlined actions being taken by her Government, which included developing public health policies with
the Sustainable Development Goals in mind, providing financing and vaccine doses to the COVID-19
Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, supporting the development of an international pandemic
treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), and backing development of a
Spanish COVID-19 vaccine.
The representative of CANADA1 said that collective efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic must
include equitable access to tools and technologies, and a focus on strengthening pandemic preparedness
and response. She welcomed the decision at the Second special session of the World Health Assembly
to negotiate a new international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response,
emphasizing that the process should be inclusive, consensus-based, transparent and Member State-led.
The impartial regional representatives elected to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to Strengthen
1 Participating by virtue of Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board.
12 EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response must consult frequently and thoroughly with Member
States and maintain open lines of communication in developing the instrument. Canada was committed
to working closely with all Member States of the Region of the Americas to advance regional priorities,
should it be elected as one of the officers of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body.
The representative of BELGIUM1 said that, although the global health situation and vaccine
inequity remained deeply troubling, his Government remained committed to improving the global
preparedness and response capacity through international cooperation and was pleased to have donated
millions of vaccine doses and support the development of local vaccine manufacturing. He thanked the
Working Group on Sustainable Financing and the Working Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness
and Response to Health Emergencies. His Government supported the adoption of a binding pandemic
treaty that emphasized prevention, equitable access to treatment and countermeasures, and health
systems strengthening worldwide. It could also go along with the proposal to fund half of WHO’s base
budget through assessed contributions, and called on all Member States to commit to ensuring that WHO
was sustainably financed, in order to strengthen global health governance.
The representative of ISRAEL1 said that, despite encouraging signs, the Omicron variant of
SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529) might not be the last variant of concern. The pandemic had been a strong
reminder that resilient health systems were the backbone of societies and economies and that close
cooperation was imperative. Formulating a new international instrument that focused on pandemic
preparedness and included a response mechanism for future outbreaks was therefore essential to improve
coordination between institutions, countries and international organizations. If WHO was to retain its
leadership role, it must be appropriately financed and create more efficient and relevant systems. Doing
so would require a fresh outlook, courage and professionalism, including preventing conflicts of interest
and politicization within the Organization. His Government remained committed to working with WHO
and the international community to respond to current and future challenges.
The representative of BRAZIL,1 noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had brought health
inequalities into sharp focus, said that her Government was proud to have contributed to the attainment
of global vaccination targets. It was fully engaged in efforts to ensure that WHO was better prepared for
future health emergencies and welcomed the support provided by the Secretariat to Member States
whose health systems had been disrupted by the pandemic. Her Government also welcomed WHO’s
continued monitoring of progress towards the triple billion targets and health-related Sustainable
Development Goals. Greater impact in countries could only be achieved through close coordination with
national health authorities, with a particular focus on strengthening national health offices and systems
and promoting more equitable access to services.
The representative of JAMAICA1 expressed support for extending the Thirteenth General
Programme of Work 2019–2023 to 2025. Small island developing States like hers required continued
technical assistance to strengthen their health systems, including in the context of the pandemic. She
looked forward to discussions on strengthening the international health architecture and WHO’s
preparedness and response to health emergencies, and recognized the importance of the sustainable
financing of WHO and of strengthened governance, accountability and transparency. She appreciated
the Secretariat’s efforts to maintain business continuity during the pandemic while providing support to
national governments and regional offices, and encouraged the Secretariat to prioritize maintaining base
programmatic activities. Noting with concern the inequitable access to vaccines, the increased burden
of noncommunicable diseases and other global challenges, she welcomed the five key priorities outlined
in the Director-General’s report.
The representative of FINLAND,1 noting with concern the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,
said that WHO’s advice and monitoring remained critical for getting back on track in key areas such as
1 Participating by virtue of Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board.
SUMMARY RECORDS: SECOND MEETING 13
noncommunicable diseases, mental health, immunization, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Health promotion was a long-term priority for her Government, and she welcomed WHO’s recent
commitments in that regard. Finland stood ready to continue working towards sustainable financing for
WHO and welcomed the Secretariat’s commitment to strengthening the prevention of, and response to,
sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse. Good governance was at the core of WHO’s ability to serve
the world.
The DIRECTOR-GENERAL thanked representatives for their comments, which had been
carefully noted and would be taken as input and guidance.
Rights of reply
The representative of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,1 speaking in exercise of the right of
reply, said that the Assad regime of the Syrian Arab Republic was sowing disinformation about the
COVID-19 pandemic as a means of seeking relief from sanctions imposed in response to the regime’s
continued war against its own people. The sanctions imposed by her Government were an important
tool to press for accountability for human rights abuses and did not target the provision of humanitarian
relief. In the year 2021, long-standing exemptions, exceptions and authorizations had been extended to
cover pandemic response activities, including the delivery of face masks, ventilators, vaccines, tests and
field hospitals. Her Government had also donated millions of United States dollars in pandemic aid
within Syria and for Syrian refugees in the region, in addition to the billions of dollars in humanitarian
aid provided since the outbreak of the conflict.
The representative of ISRAEL,1 speaking in exercise of the right of reply, expressed
disappointment that the representative of the Syrian Government was seeking to politicize the Board’s
discussions. Actions by the Syrian Government during the past 10 years of conflict had shown that it
did not view health care as a human right but rather as a means of controlling its population and
maintaining power. The Syrian Government must stop politicizing health, both within Syria and at WHO
meetings. He urged all Member States to preserve the non-political nature of WHO as a leading force
in international cooperation during the pandemic, and to refrain from the type of political point-scoring
that occurred in other United Nations bodies.
The representative of the SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC, speaking in exercise of the right of reply,
urged all Member States to refer to her country by its official name. It was deeply regrettable that people
were living under occupation in the current age. The Government of the United States of America had
itself admitted that raids and attacks by its armed forces had caused the deaths of many civilians. Forces
from the United States of America, on Syrian territory illegally, were protecting armed groups that
pillaged resources in United States controlled territory, depriving Syrians of electricity and heating.
International sanctions were depriving people in her country of medicines, including cancer treatments.
In response to remarks by the representative of Israel, she drew attention to the health situation of
Palestinians in the occupied Syrian Golan and the rest of occupied Palestinian territory, including East
Jerusalem, and the failure of the occupying power to fulfil its obligations towards those citizens.
1 Participating by virtue of Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board.
14 EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
2. OUTCOME OF THE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION OF THE WORLD HEALTH
ASSEMBLY, HELD TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING A WHO CONVENTION,
AGREEMENT OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT ON PANDEMIC
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE: Item 3 of the agenda
The representative of the UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN
IRELAND said that the COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the importance of international
collaboration and the need for global efforts rooted in equity and solidarity to create a step change in
pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. He therefore welcomed the decision of the Second
special session of the Health Assembly on the establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body
to Strengthen Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response and expressed the hope that the new
instrument would be adopted under Article 19 of the WHO’s Constitution so as to be legally binding.
He trusted that the negotiation process would be inclusive, collaborative and transparent; and would
address the priorities of equitable access, the One Health approach, improved surveillance and data
sharing, and health systems strengthening. The adoption of a new legally binding instrument was the
only way to tackle those issues in a coherent, cross-sectoral way with the involvement of non-State
actors. His Government looked forward to working with fellow Member States to effect meaningful
reforms.
The representative of BOTSWANA, speaking on behalf of the Member States of the African
Region, said that the successful outcome of the Second special session of the Health Assembly showed
what Member States could achieve when they worked towards a common goal. In the Region, in
particular, inequitable access to essential supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in a
heavy reliance on imports, and health systems also lacked core capacities required by the International
Health Regulations (2005). Any amendments to the Regulations must not jeopardize the gains made
over the years, and the new international instrument should address issues including equitable access to
vaccines and the sharing of data, technology and intellectual property. He stressed the need to strengthen
implementation of, and compliance with, the Regulations, ensure the sustainable financing of WHO and
promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to pandemic prevention and response.
Ensuring the full participation of Member States of the Region in the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Body would be a challenge. The negotiations must be guided by a clear and transparent process and be
scheduled to allow all Member States to participate.
The representative of the REPUBLIC OF KOREA said that there had been clear shortcomings in
the response to the COVID-19 pandemic: incomplete implementation of the International Health
Regulations (2005); insufficient exchange of specimens, information and technology; delayed
collaboration among governments; and unequal distribution of response tools, such as vaccines. He
therefore welcomed the decision to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body. He praised the
contribution of the Working Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health
Emergencies and trusted that the draft instrument would be developed in a transparent and inclusive
manner. His Government planned to actively engage in the negotiations, drawing on its experience in
launching the Support Group for Global Infectious Disease Response. Noting the importance of the swift
and equitable distribution of COVID-19 tools, he outlined the action taken by his Government to
advance vaccine access and production, and expressed the hope that equity would be a key element of
the future pandemic treaty.
The representative of FRANCE, speaking on behalf of the European Union and its Member States,
said that the candidate countries Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, the country of the
stabilization and association process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Ukraine,
the Republic of Moldova and Georgia aligned themselves with his statement. The European Union had
been advocating for a strong pandemic treaty since late 2020 and fully endorsed the way forward set
forth by the Working Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies.
SUMMARY RECORDS: SECOND MEETING 15
The next goal should be to address and act upon the recommendations of the review panels established
to further health emergencies preparedness.
Adoption of a pandemic treaty would be a crucial step towards strengthening preparedness,
prevention and response and should address gaps in the current system. The European Union hoped that
the treaty would lead to the formal recognition of the One Health approach as a means of preventing,
detecting and controlling emerging pathogens, and reflect a commitment by Member States to increase
investment in prevention and preparedness. It should also facilitate the sharing of pathogen genetic
sequence data, promote equitable access to medical countermeasures, establish predictable mechanisms
for a united global response to the next pandemic, and serve as a tool for better international
collaboration, with WHO playing a leading and coordinating role. The Member States of the European
Union looked forward to the first meeting of the International Negotiating Body and the development
of a working draft.
The representative of SINGAPORE said that any new international instrument could only achieve
its purpose if signatories were willing and able to fulfil their commitments. The Intergovernmental
Negotiating Body might therefore need to take a pragmatic approach in developing the draft instrument.
It should also take into account the discussions and outcomes of the Working Group on Strengthening
WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies and coordinate closely with it to ensure
coherence and complementarity. His Government remained committed to working constructively with
fellow Member States to move forward on the Working Group’s mandate and contribute to the efforts
of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body.
The representative of COLOMBIA reiterated his Government’s confidence in multilateralism as
the best way to build a more resilient world and prevent future emergencies through transparent,
inclusive processes that achieved compromise among countries and stakeholders. The
Intergovernmental Negotiating Body must coordinate with the Working Group on Strengthening WHO
Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies in analysing the recommendations of the various
committees and panels on health emergency preparedness. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body
must have a clear mandate and processes and its working methods must be inclusive, ensuring that the
interests of countries and regions around the world were represented.
Steps taken to strengthen implementation of, and compliance with, the International Health
Regulations (2005) should seek convergence on challenges such as equitable access to medical
countermeasures, a One Health approach, advancement of universal health coverage and health systems
strengthening. His Government was committed to developing a new international instrument that was
useful, flexible, cross-cutting, easy to adapt and implement, and sufficiently financed.
The representative of PERU said that the global health system had not been prepared for a
pandemic and the significant inequalities that persisted in access to, and distribution of, COVID-19
vaccines constituted proof that global cooperation and solidarity were not yet sufficient to achieve the
objectives set out in many international resolutions. He therefore welcomed the launch of negotiations
on a new international instrument to address future pandemics. The new instrument should establish
equity as a central pillar, ensuring universal access to medical countermeasures such as vaccines by
tackling research and development, intellectual property, technology transfer and increased local
manufacturing capacity, among other issues. It was equally important to strengthen the International
Health Regulations (2005) through timely amendments to ensure compliance and improve surveillance
and warning systems. His Government was committed to playing its part in coordinated international
efforts to strengthen preparedness and response.
The representative of BANGLADESH said that many unnecessary deaths during the COVID-19
pandemic had been caused by the limitations of WHO and the global health architecture, weak health
systems and the ascendency of national and commercial interests over public health. The constraints
faced by developing countries must be taken into account in the new international instrument, which
must also contain provisions concerning: enhanced mutual support and cooperation among Member
16 EXECUTIVE BOARD, 150TH SESSION
States and stakeholders; a waiver of intellectual property rights during public health crises; technology
sharing; capacity-building initiatives; and equitable production and distribution of vaccines, therapeutics
and diagnostic tools. The new instrument should be a tool for fostering strong political commitments.
Its deliverables should reflect global solidarity to safeguard public health interests, and its legally
binding nature should not detract from its value.
The representative of TUNISIA said that his Government attached great importance to the
development of an international convention, agreement or other instrument on pandemic preparedness,
which would serve to guarantee health security – a fundamental human right. The matter was also a
priority in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, whose leaders had long supported the creation of such an
instrument. The International Health Regulations (2005) remained an important tool to which all States
should accede, and which should be amended if required. The Secretariat should support Member States
in strengthening their core capacities and in fully implementing the Regulations. The proposed standing
committee on health emergency (pandemic) prevention, preparedness and response should announce its
findings and seek consensus among Member States. Solidarity and cooperation constituted the only
means of achieving a fit-for-purpose health system based on the principles of universality, equity,
transparency and human rights.
The representative of the RUSSIAN FEDERATION said that there was a clear need to strengthen
global preparedness and response for pandemics and other health emergencies. The decision to develop
a new international instrument served as the basis for close cooperation to strengthen the global health
architecture. However, that difficult task could only be achieved through a comprehensive approach and
expert analysis, and caution should be exercised. Continued efforts were required to strengthen, and
ensure compliance with, the International Health Regulations (2005), which must remain the
cornerstone of health emergency preparedness and response. Any amendments to the Regulations must
be fully justified and agreed by consensus. Noting that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body should
be open to all Member States, he emphasized the importance of clearly defining its competence and
working methods, the powers of the chair and vice-chairs, the modalities for the participation of
non-State actors, and of ensuring that decisions were taken by consensus. The negotiation process must
be inclusive, transparent and effective, and his Government stood ready to work with all stakeholders.
The representative of ARGENTINA thanked the co-chairs of the Working Group on
Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies for their tireless work to
achieve consensus among Member States. The adoption of an effective international instrument that
would garner political attention and ensure a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to
pandemic preparedness and response would require a transparent, inclusive, consensus-based process
that took into accoun