Procedure for accreditation of regional non-State actors not in official relations with WHO to attend meetings of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean

Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean Sixty-seventh session Provisional agenda item 7 1 EM/RC67/16 October 2020 Procedure for accreditation of regional non-State actors not in official relations with WHO to attend meetings of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean 1. In line with its Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2023 and related programme budgets, and building on its continued and successful collaboration with non-State actors, WHO is proactively promoting collaboration, embarking on partnerships and encouraging the efforts of different health actors to respond to national and global health challenges. These engagements are being pursued to support Member States’ work and to fulfil the Organization’s mandate, and they have been reviewed and implemented in accordance with WHO’s policies and rules, including the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors. 2. The Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors was adopted by the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly in May 2016 as an enabling policy instrument that provides a set of provisions governing WHO’s engagement with non-State actors and represents a firm basis for strengthening engagement. It helps to balance risks against expected benefits while protecting and preserving WHO’s integrity, reputation and public health mandate. 3. The Framework recognizes that non‑State actors play a critical role in supporting WHO’s work, and that inclusiveness, dialogue and engagement with them is key to achieving outcomes. The Framework also recognizes that WHO’s engagement with non‑State actors brings important benefits to both parties and that convergence of interests can benefit global public health. The Framework recognizes four categories of non- State actor: nongovernmental organizations, private sector entities (including business associations), philanthropic foundations and academic institutions. 4. The Framework establishes specific policies and operational procedures on engagement with the different types of entity, to preserve WHO’s mandate, independence, credibility and reputation from undue influence. To this end, and before engaging with any non-State actor, due diligence and risk assessments are conducted, without prejudice to the type of non-State actor. 5. In line with the provisions of the Framework, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean engages with non-State actors, in view of their significant role in global health, for the advancement and promotion of public health. In order to reinforce this engagement and build on constructive dialogue with non- State actors, the Regional Office proposes a process for accrediting non-State actors to attend meetings of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (see Annex 1), to be submitted for consideration by the 67th session of the Regional Committee in October 2020. Accreditation is a privilege that the Regional Committee may grant to regional nongovernmental organizations, regional business associations and philanthropic foundations. It includes an invitation to participate, without the right to vote, in meetings of the Regional Committee and the possibility of submitting written and/or oral statements through the WHO Regional Office. 6. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean will remain committed to strengthening its collaboration with non-State actors under the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors, as their involvement, attention and outreach are crucial for a whole-of-society approach. There will be a special focus on involving youth representatives in WHO’s work. EM/RC67/16 2 Annex 1 Granting accreditation to regional non-State actors not in official relations with WHO to attend meetings of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean 1. In line with the provisions of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (FENSA) (WHA69.10), the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean wishes to establish a procedure for granting accreditation to regional non-State actors not in official relations with WHO to attend meetings of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, and committees and conferences convened under the auspices of the Regional Committee. 2. Such a procedure is proposed in accordance with paragraph 57 of FENSA, which provides that regional committees may decide on a procedure granting accreditation to their meetings to other international, regional and national non-State actors not in official relations with WHO as long as the procedure is managed in accordance with the Framework. 3. Regional nongovernmental organizations, regional business associations and philanthropic foundations shall be able to apply for accreditation. 4. The privilege of accreditation of regional nongovernmental organizations, regional business associations and philanthropic foundations shall include an invitation to participate, without the right to vote, in the Regional Committee’s meetings, and committees and conferences convened under the Regional Committee’s auspices, and the option to submit written and/or oral statements to the Regional Committee through the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. 5. The eligibility criteria for accreditation shall be established in full conformity with FENSA and the WHO Constitution (Article 71), and the application, review and decision shall be based upon up-to-date information about the profiles of the applicant entities and their past engagement with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. 6. The entities are required to provide the following information and documents: name, objectives and mission of the entity, copy of the legal status (such as bylaws, constitution), governance structure, names and affiliations of the Members of main decision-making bodies (such as Board, Executive Board, Council), assets, annual income and funding sources (list of donors and sponsors), main relevant affiliations and website address. 7. A decision not to accredit a non‑State actor, or to discontinue accreditation, will in principle not affect other forms of engagement under the Framework, subject to the outcome of due diligence and risk assessment. Eligibility criteria a. The aims and purposes of the applicant entity should be consistent with the WHO Constitution and conform with WHO’s policies and should contribute significantly to the advancement of public health. b. The entity should respect the intergovernmental nature of WHO and the decision-making authority of Member States as set out in the WHO Constitution. EM/RC67/16 3 c. The entity should have been in active and formal engagement with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean for at least two years. d. Membership and activities of the entity should be at the regional level. e. The entity should not be a for-profit organization and/or commercial in nature and/or its activities. f. The entity should have an established structure, constitutive act and accountability mechanisms. g. The entity, if a membership organization, should have the authority to speak for its members and have a representative structure. h. Entities shall designate a head of their delegation and declare the affiliations of their delegates. This declaration shall include the function of each delegate within the entity itself and, where applicable, the function of that delegate within any affiliated organization. i. Entities participating in Regional Committee meetings, and committees and conferences convened under the Regional Committee’s auspices, shall designate a head of delegation for each session. Application procedure and timeline a. Applications for accreditation shall reach the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean no later than 31 December at 18:00 Cairo time and should include information about the entity in line with paragraph 39 of FENSA, including: name, objectives, legal status, governance structure, composition of main decision-making bodies, assets, annual income and funding sources, main relevant affiliations and website address. b. Requests shall be reviewed with the support of the Regional Office to ensure that the eligibility criteria and other requirements in line with FENSA have been fulfilled and shall be considered by the Programme Subcommittee of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean or a subgroup of the Programme Subcommittee in February. c. Those applications approved by the Programme Subcommittee or by or a subgroup of the Programme Subcommittee in February shall be submitted to the Regional Committee in October or, alternatively, the Programme Subcommittee shall propose for the Regional Committee to delegate this responsibility to the Programme Subcommittee. The Programme Subcommittee in return shall report annually to the Regional Committee on this matter. d. An accredited entity shall be reviewed by the Regional Office every three years, and its profile published on the WHO website and reported to the Regional Committee.