WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU RÉGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL COMMITTEE Sixty-seventh session Manila, Philippines 10–14 October 2016 Provisional agenda item 16
WPR/RC67/11 29 August 2016 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COORDINATION OF THE WORK OF THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY, THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE
In decision WHA69(8), the World Health Assembly addressed elements of WHO governance reform, including the process of nominating regional directors and the oversight functions of regional committees. In alignment with WHO global governing bodies, the Western Pacific Region initiated discussion of ways to enhance the process by which Member State priorities and needs are reliably reflected in the agenda of the Regional Committee. At its sixtysixth session, the Regional Committee agreed to refine this process. Member States expressed agreement to discuss proposed agenda items during each regular session of the Regional Committee for inclusion in the agenda of the following session. Member States are requested to review the eight proposed technical agenda items in Annex 1 with a view to refining or distilling these into five items. Member States are also requested to share other proposals for technical items, along with background information to support their prioritization. During discussions at the sixty-sixth session of the Regional Committee, further suggestions on the agenda process were made by Member States. The Regional Committee is requested to note the preliminary review (Annex 3). A list of resolutions and decisions by the sixty-ninth World Health Assembly (Annex 4) and the draft provisional agenda of the 140th session of the Executive Board (Annex 5) are provided.
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WHO GOVERNANCE REFORM
Background
WHO continuing governance reforms aim to strengthen the strategic role, inclusiveness, accountability, transparency and efficiency of the Organization's governing bodies – the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board – and their subsidiary organs in the six WHO regions. Member States from the Western Pacific Region have been active in these discussions. They have expressed support for governance reforms, including efforts to better manage the agenda for meetings of governing bodies. In decision WHA69(8), the World Health Assembly made specific requests to the DirectorGeneral, regional directors and the Executive Board on the methods of work of the governing bodies and improving alignment between headquarters, regional offices and country offices. The decision also invited regional committees to: • consider measures to improve the process of nomination of regional directors, taking into consideration best practices from the six regions (paragraph 9); •
consider reviewing their practices, including those of their standing committees and subcommittees, where applicable, with a view to strengthening their oversight functions (paragraph 13); and
•
improve oversight of the work of regional and country offices, including through identifying best practices and establishing requirements on reporting of regional and country office management, financial information and programme results to regional committees (paragraph 14).
Report from the Secretariat In resolution WPR/RC61.R3, the Regional Committee approved the revised procedure for the Nomination of the Regional Director (Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee), which was applied in 2014. The Secretariat has conducted a review of standing committees and oversight of the work of country offices as part of the review on the process of determining agenda items of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. The results are incorporated in Annex 3.
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THE AGENDA DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC Background At its sixty-sixth session, the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific agreed to revise the agenda development process for the Regional Committee. 1 During discussion, some Member States offered additional input related to the agenda process.
Starting with this year's session, the Regional Committee will discuss proposed technical agenda items for next year's session. The Secretariat will then incorporate the discussions and proposals into a draft provisional agenda. The Regional Director and the Executive Board members from the Region will then exchange views on the draft provisional agenda in January on the sidelines of the Executive Board session in Geneva. In consultation with the Chair, the Regional Director then refines agenda items in line with the comments of the Executive Board members and circulates the draft provisional agenda to Member States for comment.
Fig. 1 shows the revised process and timeline for developing the agenda. Table 1 shows the standard structure of the agenda, including descriptions of each type of item. The discussions of the Regional Committee on proposed agenda items each year will relate to the items in grey in Table 1.
1
WHO Western Pacific Region. Sixty-sixth session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, Guam, United States of America, 12–16 October 2015. Final report of the Regional Committee http://www.wpro.who.int/about/regional_committee/66/reports/rc66_final_report.pdf?ua=1
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Fig. 1. Comparison of the agenda development process for sessions of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, up to 2016 and from 2017 onwards
Process for the Regional Committee agenda for 2016
Process for the Regional Committee agenda from 2017 onwards
1. Mandatory agenda including the Report of the Regional Director 2. Technical issues raised by Member States and the Secretariat 3. Standard items including the address by the Chair
Step 1. (October) At each regular session, the Regional Committee discusses proposed items to be included in the agenda for the next session. Step 1. (December) The Regional Director considers inputs from these three main categories and drafts the provisional agenda.
Step 2. (January) At the Executive Board meeting in January, the Regional Director exchanges views on the provisional agenda with the Region's Executive Board members.
Step 2. (January–February) The Regional Director circulates the provisional agenda to Member States for comment. Member States may propose additional items.
Step 3. (January–February) The Regional Director revises the provisional agenda, as appropriate, taking into consideration any comments by the Executive Board members. The Regional Director circulates the revised provisional agenda to Member States for comment. Member States may propose additional items.
Step 4. The Regional Director coordinates with Member States on item proposals and further develops the provisional agenda.
Step 5. (March) The Regional Director in coordination with the Chair, finalizes the provisional agenda.
The Regional Director, in consultation with the Chair, may include additional items in a supplementary agenda for issues arising or reaching the Regional Director up to 21 days before the opening of the session, or after 21 days if the Regional Committee agrees, in accordance with rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific
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Table 1. Standard structure and types of agenda
Agenda category Mandated
Agenda type Report of the Regional Director
Number of agenda items
Nature of the agenda Mandated by the Constitution of the World Health Organization and the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific Mandated by the Constitution of the World Health Organization Requested by Member States or proposed by the Secretariat. The agenda is usually synchronized with the cycle of the regional frameworks and World Health Assembly resolutions. A technical item that is particularly important for the Region raised by and supported by Member States may include a technical panel. Mandated by resolution but timing of reporting can be proposed by Member States and the Secretariat Suggested by the governing bodies (World Health Assembly and the Executive Board)
Proposer
Resolution
1
Secretariat
No
Technical
Programme Budget Technical items
1 or 2 4 to 5
Secretariat Member States and Secretariat
Yes Yes
Technical panel
0 or 1
Member States and Secretariat
Yes
Progress report
6 to 8 grouped into two 2 to 3
Member States and Secretariat Member States and Secretariat
No
Fixed
Coordination with the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board Others
Yes
Fixed
Election of office-bearers of the Regional Committee Addresses by the Regional Director, the Chair, Outgoing Chair, Director-General Selection of members for global initiatives Proposed agenda items of the next regular session Decision on the dates and venue of the next regular session
Secretariat
No No
Yes (decision) No Yes
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Proposed technical agenda items for the sixty-eighth session of the Regional Committee
In accordance with the revised agenda development process and standard structure, the Secretariat proposes the following eight technical agenda items for the sixty-eighth session of the Regional Committee in 2017. The Secretariat has considered: a) regional strategies to be renewed; b) adaption of World Health Assembly resolutions to the context of the Region; and c) issues proposed by Member States or the Secretariat.
Table 2. Proposed technical agenda items for the sixty-eighth session of the Regional Committee
Categories A) Renewal of regional strategies B) Adaption of World Health Assembly resolutions C) Issues proposed by Member States or the Secretariat
Agenda item 1. Food safety 2. Triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B 3. Health workforce mobility and regulation/mutual recognition 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Sustainable financing Measles and rubella elimination Health promotion and the Sustainable Development Goals Regulatory convergence in national regulatory authorities Restriction of marketing foods and non-alcoholic beverages, including breast-milk substitutes, for children
Annex 1 provides background information on each proposed agenda item. Annex 2 provides the list of technical agenda items discussed at the Regional Committee from 2011 to 2016 with information on categories for inclusion. Recommended actions for Member States Member States are requested to review the eight proposed technical agenda items in Annex 1 with a view to refining or distilling these into five items. In addition, Member States are requested to share other proposed technical items along with background information to support their prioritization. The Regional Committee is also requested to note the report from the review on additional suggestions to improve the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific agenda development process made by some Member States in Annex 3.
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OTHER ITEMS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD The Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly adopted 20 resolutions and 19 decisions contained in Annex 4. The following World Health Assembly decision and resolution will be addressed in the corresponding agenda items of the sixty-seventh session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific: WHA69(14) Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) (agenda item 14 and the side event on health security) WHA69.4 The role of the health sector in the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management towards the 2020 goal and beyond (agenda item 12) The 139th session of the Executive Board adopted 11 decisions and one resolution. The Regional Committee's attention is drawn to decision EB139(1) on dementia. This decision requested the Director-General, with full participation of Member States and other stakeholders, to draft a global action plan. A global consultation on this plan is tentatively scheduled for December 2016. The draft provisional agenda of the 140th session of the Executive Board is available in Annex 5.
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ANNEX 1 PROPOSED AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC WITH SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. 1. Regional strategies to be renewed Food safety Food safety incidents and emergencies are a threat to health security and economic development. Every year in the Western Pacific Region, approximately 125 million people become ill and 50 000 die from unsafe food. Children under 5 years of age represent a large proportion of those affected. Countries must have well-functioning, risk-based food safety systems to effectively prevent and respond to food safety events. The sixty-sixth session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific acknowledged the continued relevance of the Western Pacific Regional Food Safety Strategy 2011–2015, requesting that a new strategy be developed and discussed at future sessions of the Regional Committee. The new strategy will build on achievements and guide future action to prevent and respond to food safety events in the Region.
B. 2.
Adaption of World Health Assembly resolutions to the Region Triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B While Member States in the Region are making progress towards the dual elimination of
mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, a large number of infants continue to be born with these infections. Some Member States that are disproportionately affected by hepatitis have already proposed linking hepatitis B control to this effort to achieve triple elimination. Building upon successful vaccination programmes, the elimination of hepatitis B among children is achievable with an integrated approach that includes HIV and syphilis, given the similar control measures involved. The World Health Assembly endorsed three new global strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in May 2016. These strategies call for Member States and WHO to work towards the goals of zero new HIV infections among infants by 2020 and the elimination of congenital syphilis and hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030. This item would review regional progress and suggest regional targets, milestones and interventions towards triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B ahead of other regions.
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Annex 1 3. Health workforce mobility and regulation/mutual recognition Strengthening of health workforce regulation contributes to improving health-care outcomes and patient safety, and also increases public confidence in the health-care professions. In several Member States, the scope and organizational arrangements for health workforce regulation remain weak, with limited involvement in setting and ensuring educational standards, dealing with professional misconduct or ensuring continuing competence. Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam have taken steps to strengthen regulation in order to ensure patient safety and quality health care. Well-designed and more consistent regulatory approaches across the Region also have become important due to increased mobility and obligations under intercountry, bilateral and mutual agreements, such as mutual recognition arrangements under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In May 2016, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030. In adapting the global strategy to the Western Pacific Region, a focus on health workforce mobility and regulation will be important. This agenda item would consider how governments could develop more consistent approaches to the design and implementation of regulatory frameworks to ensure public safety and quality health care.
C. 4.
Issues proposed by Member States or the Secretariat Sustainable financing Many countries in the Western Pacific Region are facing reductions in funding from global
health initiatives for priority disease programmes, as well as reductions in funding for specific programmes from bilateral and multilateral donors. Domestic financing is key for the sustainable financing of universal health coverage (UHC) and the achievement of health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes increases in domestic investment in health and making the best use of available resources. Member States are exploring options to smoothly transition to domestic funding mechanisms in order to sustain progress and further advance achievements in communicable disease control and other health programmes. Strengthening domestic financing will require better integration and coordination within and across public health functions and clinical services. This item would consider how to integrate more effectively financing arrangements into health financing development under UHC road maps with overall guidance of the regional action framework Universal Health Coverage: Moving Towards Better Health endorsed by the Regional Committee in 2015.
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Annex 1 5. Measles and rubella elimination The Western Pacific Region made significant progress towards elimination of measles by 2012, the target year set by the Regional Committee in 2003. However, many Member States in the Region were seriously affected by the resurgence of endemic measles transmission, with nationwide measles outbreaks after importation or multiple importations of measles from 2013 to 2015. Progress in accelerated control of rubella and prevention of congenital rubella syndrome – targeted for elimination since 2014 – has been slow in several countries. The Regional Framework for Implementation of the Global Vaccine Action Plan in the Western Pacific was endorsed by the Regional Committee in 2014, to implement priority actions to achieve the strategic objectives of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) and regional immunization goals, including measles and rubella elimination. The Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and Vaccine-preventable Diseases in the Western Pacific Region has recommended that WHO develop a new regional strategy and plan of action to foster the implementation of tailored and dedicated approaches – as a final push to eliminate these two diseases and accelerate implementation of priority actions for GVAP strategic objectives. 6. Health promotion and the Sustainable Development Goals WHO in the Western Pacific Region has been active in developing and supporting health promotion interventions for nearly three decades, even though the Regional Committee has not had a dedicated agenda item on health promotion in recent years. Health promotion approaches – advocacy, partnerships, community mobilization and multisectoral action, among others – are fundamental for the implementation of the SDGs and can support implementation of regional action frameworks. This item would consider the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the outcomes of the forthcoming Ninth Global Conference for Health Promotion in November 2016. 7. Regulatory convergence in national regulatory authorities Markets for vaccines and medicines are national, regional and global. There are global efforts to harmonize regulatory systems for medicines and technologies. A regional network has been established to examine national policies for medicines and undertake pricing studies. This item would consider how national regulatory authorities could work to strengthen regulatory convergence, to balance the need to assure quality and to protect public safety, while facilitating trade and access to essential products.
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Annex 1 8. Restriction of marketing foods and non-alcoholic beverages, including breast-milk substitutes, for children
Marketing plays a major role in shaping feeding practices, food preferences and consumption patterns. Global and regional resolutions, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and WHO action plans call for full implementation of the International Code of Marketing of BreastMilk Substitutes (the Code), the WHO Set of Recommendations on Marketing of Foods and NonAlcoholic Beverages to Children and most recently WHO Guidance on Ending Inappropriate Promotion of Foods for Infants and Young Children. Progress in the Western Pacific Region to implement these mandates has been weak. Only three countries are fully implementing the Code, and only five have laws to restrict marketing to children. This item would consider accelerating implementation of strategies to restrict marketing foods and non-alcoholic beverages, including breast-milk substitutes, for children.
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ANNEX 2 LIST OF TECHNICAL AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED AT THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE FROM 2011 TO 2016 WITH INFORMATION ON CATEGORIES FOR INCLUSION Categories for inclusion for main technical agenda items Regional Committee session (Year) Agenda items (A) regional strategy to be renewed (B) adaption of resolutions of the World Health Assembly (C) issues proposed by Member States or the Secretariat 2
Sixtyseventh (2016)
Dengue Malaria Environmental health Sustainable Development Goals Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases
Sixty-sixth (2015)
Viral hepatitis Tuberculosis Universal health coverage Violence and injury prevention Urban health
Sixty-fifth (2014)
Mental health Tobacco free initiative Antimicrobial resistance
2
Items classified under category (c) issues proposed by Member States or the Secretariat were newly raised issues or those not recently addressed by the Regional Committee or the World Health Assembly. Proposal by Member States or the Secretariat is also a prerequisite for categories (a) and (b).
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Annex 2 Expanded programme on immunization Emergencies and disasters Sixtyfourth (2013) Blindness prevention Ageing and health Hepatitis B control through vaccination Noncommunicable disease Sixty-third (2012) Violence and injury prevention Neglected tropical diseases Measles elimination International health regulations Nutrition Sixtysecond (2011) Antimicrobial resistance Traditional medicine Food safety Noncommunicable diseases
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ANNEX 3 REPORT OF THE REVIEW ON ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS OF SOME MEMBER STATES TO IMPROVE AGENDA PLANNING FOR THE WHO REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC
1.
Introduction
Background At the sixty-sixth session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, while Member States agreed to modifications to the agenda planning process, some Member States made additional suggestions on the following issues: 1) moving towards long-term agenda planning; 2) establishing a standing committee to develop the agenda; and 3) including reports from WHO country offices to the Regional Committee. The Secretariat conducted a review of relevant global and regional documentation in consultation with WHO headquarters and other WHO regions to summarize current practices and ongoing discussions on these topics. Trends on agenda items discussed at WHO governing bodies
The number of items included on the agenda of the World Health Assembly has increased over the last 10 years, from approximately 50 items in 2006 to beyond 70 items in 2015. The Executive Board has also seen an increasing number of agenda items. The number of Executive Board agenda items increased from approximately 40 items in 2006 to reach beyond 65 items in 2014.
Among WHO regional committees, agenda items have increased in the European Region since 2009 and in the South-East Asia Region since 2011. In the Region of the Americas, the number of items has varied over time. The number of items in the African, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific regions has remained relatively consistent over the last 10 years.
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Annex 3
2.
Moving towards long-term agenda planning
Current practice and ongoing discussion at the global level At the global level, better management of the agenda has been a recurrent theme of recent discussions at the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly.
In response to the large number of items on the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly agendas, a series of discussions on priority-setting criteria were made in governing bodies meetings and related resolutions were adopted, including resolution EB121.R1, and decisions WHA65(9) and EB134(3). 3 However, discussions on priority-setting criteria are ongoing.
Decision WHA69(8) requested that the Bureau of the Executive Board review the criteria currently applied in considering items for inclusion in the provisional agenda of the Executive Board and develop proposals for new and/or revised criteria. The 140th session of the Executive Board will consider these proposals in January 2017. 4
The same decision also requested that the WHO Director-General develop a six-year schedule for the agenda of the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly. 5
The six-year schedule is to be "based on standing items, requirements established by decisions and resolutions of the governing bodies, as well those required by the Constitution, regulations and rules of the Organization − especially taking into account the General Programme of Work, and without prejudice to additional, supplementary and urgent agenda items that might be added to the governing body agendas". 6 The Director-General will submit the schedule to the 140th session of the Executive Board in January 2017 as an information document and update it regularly as needed. 7
3
EB121.R1 Methods of work of the Executive Board (24 May 2007) http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB121_REC1/E/B121_REC1-en.pdf; WHA65(9) WHO reform (26 May 2012) http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA65/A65_DIV3-en.pdf; EB134(3) WHO reform: methods of work of the governing bodies (24 January 2014) http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB134/B134_DIV3-en.pdf 4 WHA69(8) Decision based on the agreed recommendations of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Meeting on Governance Reform (Geneva, 8 and 9 March 2016 and 28 and 29 April 2016) (10 June 2016) http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_DIV3-en.pdf 5
WHA69(8) (10 June 2016) http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_DIV3-en.pdf; A69/5 (18 May 2016). Member State consultative process on governance reform Report by the Director-General http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_5-en.pdf 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid.
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Annex 3 Current practice and ongoing discussion at regional levels In the Region of the Americas, the Executive Committee – that meets immediately after the Directing Council – approves a list of topics for the next year and some for the following year. The European Region introduced a "rolling agenda" with a multi-year focus in 2011. 8 This was done to ensure a more strategic approach to the management of Regional Committee agendas, including control of the number of items tabled. The African Region has historically planned agenda items and subjects to be discussed in technical panels one to two years in advance. This practice has been in place for approximately 30 years. At each session, the Regional Committee adopts the provisional agenda for the following session. In the Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia regions, regional committees do not officially present, discuss or approve future agenda items during regular sessions.
3.
Establishing a standing committee to develop the agenda
Current practice and ongoing discussion at the global level At the global level, the Executive Board prepares the provisional agenda of each regular session of the World Health Assembly after consideration of proposals submitted by the Director-General. 9 Current practice and ongoing discussion at regional levels In the Region of the Americas, the Executive Committee of the Directing Council acts as a working party of the Pan American Sanitary Conference or Directing Council. Among other duties, the Executive Committee approves the provisional agenda of meetings of the Conference or the Council. The Executive Committee is composed of nine Member States, elected for overlapping periods of three years. The Committee meets face-to-face twice a year (in June for five days and for one day immediately after the Directing Council meets).
8
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. Governance Reform in the WHO European Region, Summary of initiatives undertaken 2010–2015, March 2015 http://apps.who.int/gb/mscp/pdf/Governance_Reform_in_the%20WHO_European_Region-Summary_w_links_cover_updated.pdf 9 Rule 4. Rules of Procedure of the World Health Assembly, p. 140 http://apps.who.int/gb/bd/PDF/bd48/basic-documents-48thedition-en.pdf#page=145
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Annex 3 In the European Region, the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee (SCRC) acts for and represents the Regional Committee and ensures that effect is given to the Committee’s decisions and policies. Among other duties, the SCRC discusses the Regional Committee agenda of each year, including the review of the rolling agenda. The Committee is composed of 12 Member State representatives, each elected by the Regional Committee for a three-year term. The SCRC meets faceto-face five times a year. In three of those meetings, agenda items and related materials are reviewed and discussed.
The South-East Asia Region does not have a standing committee to develop the agenda. However, the Region's approach to preparing for the Regional Committee includes convening a Highlevel Preparatory Meeting (HLPM). The HLPM acts as an advisory mechanism to the Regional Director to discuss technical agenda items of the forthcoming Regional Committee. The HLPM is composed of representatives of all 11 Member States of the Region. The HLPM takes place annually over four days.
The African Region does not have a standing committee to develop its agenda. While they have the Programme Subcommittee (PSC), which assists the Regional Committee by reviewing the budget, strategies, reports and proposed resolutions, and by providing advice on policy and governance matters, they do not engage in the agenda planning process. The Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific regions do not have standing committees.
4.
Including reports from WHO country offices to the Regional Committee
Current practice and ongoing discussion at the global level In May 2016, through decision WHA69(8), the World Health Assembly invited regional committees to improve oversight of regional and country office work, through identifying best practices and establishing requirements to report on office management, financial information and programme results to regional committees. 10 The decision also requested that regional committees review the biennial WHO country presence report, last published in 2015. 11
Current practice and ongoing discussion at regional levels 10 11
WHA69(8) (10 June 2016) item (14) http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_DIV3-en.pdf WHA69(8) (10 June 2016) item (15) http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA69/A69_DIV3-en.pdf; the most recent report is WHO presence in countries, territories and areas, 2015 report http://www.who.int/country-cooperation/publications/whopresence-report-2015/en/
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Annex 3
In the European Region, reporting by WHO country offices is accomplished through the annual Report of the Regional Director. 12 For 2016, a lunch-time side event on how WHO country offices assist in addressing priority health issues at the country level will be convened. In the Region of the Americas, country offices do not report in either the Directing Council or the Executive Committee sessions. The Regional Director, however, presents periodic reports of the programme budget as well as the implementation of the regional strategic plan. These reports include information at the regional, subregional and country levels.
In the African and South-East Asia regions, reporting by WHO country offices is accomplished through the Biennial Report of the Regional Director, which is presented during Regional Committee sessions.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, there is no specific country office reporting presented during regular sessions. The Annual Report of the Regional Director covers some management and administrative aspects of country offices, for example strengthening capacity in country offices.
In the Western Pacific Region, reports of WHO's work in countries were presented to sessions of the Regional Committee from 1986 to 1998 as part of the work of the Subcommittee of the Regional Committee on Programmes and Technical Cooperation. These reports shared the findings of visits to two countries in the Region each year by the subcommittee members. The country visits and reports focused on specific technical issues, such as district health systems or Healthy Islands and Healthy Cities. Lessons may be learnt from the activities and eventual discontinuation of the subcommittee. While promoting intercountry learning and better understanding of WHO's work at country level, the country visits of the subcommittee were resource intensive and thus discontinued in 1998.
In recent years, the annual report of the Regional Director has also placed stronger emphasis on country-level achievements. The report has moved away from documenting the achievements of each technical programme and towards reporting achievements at the regional, national and subnational levels across the Western Pacific Region. 13 12
WHO Regional Office for Europe. The work of WHO in the European Region in 2014–2015: interim report of the Regional Director, 65th session of the Regional Committee for Europe (WHO: Vilnius, 2015) http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/284401/65wd05e_Rev1_RDsReport_150560_withCover.pdf 13 WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The work of WHO in the Western Pacific Region: the report of the Regional Director 1 July 2014–30 June 2015. Sixty-sixth session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific (WHO: Guam, 2015) http://www.wpro.who.int/regional_director/regional_directors_report/en/
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Annex 3
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ANNEX 4
RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS ADOPTED BY THE SIXTY-NINTH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
Resolution number WHA69.1 WHA69.2 WHA69.3 WHA69.4 WHA69.5
Title of resolution Strengthening essential public health functions in support of the achievement of universal health coverage Committing to implementation of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health The global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016–2020: towards a world in which everyone can live a long and healthy life The role of the health sector in the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management towards the 2020 goal and beyond WHO global plan of action to strengthen the role of the health system within a national multisectoral response to address interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls, and against children Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: responses to specific assignments in preparation for the third High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable diseases in 2018 Addressing the challenges of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020): outcome of the second Global High-level Conference on Road Safety – Time for Results Decade of Action on Nutrition Ending inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children Framework of engagement with non-State actors Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development WHO programmatic and financial report for 2014–2015 including audited financial statements for 2015 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 Scale of assessments for 2017 Report of the External Auditor
WHA69.6
WHA69.7
WHA69.8 WHA69.9 WHA69.10 WHA69.11 WHA69.12 WHA69.13
WHA69.14 WHA69.15
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Annex 4
WHA69.16 WHA69.17 WHA69.18 WHA69.19 WHA69.20 WHA69.21 WHA69.22 WHA69.23 WHA69.24 WHA69.25
Salaries of staff in ungraded posts and of the Director-General Amendments to the Staff Regulations: dispute resolution Process for the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization Global strategy on human resources for health: workforce 2030 Promoting innovation and access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medicines for children Addressing the burden of mycetoma Global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, for the period 2016–2021 Follow-up of the report of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination Strengthening integrated, people-centred health services Addressing the global shortage of medicines and vaccines
Decision number WHA69(1) WHA69(2) WHA69(3) WHA69(4) WHA69(5) WHA69(6) WHA69(7)
Title of decision Composition of the Committee on Credentials Election of officers of the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly Election of officers of the main committees Establishment of the General Committee Adoption of the agenda Verification of credentials Election of Members entitled to designate a person to serve on the Executive Board Decision based on the agreed recommendations of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Meeting on Governance Reform (Geneva, 8 and 9 March 2016 and 28 and 29 April 2016) Reform of WHO’s work in health emergency management: WHO Health Emergencies Programme
WHA69(8)
WHA69(9)
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Annex 4
WHA69(10)
Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan Health and the environment: draft road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity Strengthening synergies between the World Health Assembly and the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) Public health dimension of the world drug problem including in the context of the special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the world drug problem, held in April 2016 Strategic budget space allocation Appointment of representatives to the WHO Staff Pension Committee Real estate: update of the Geneva buildings renovation strategy Selection of the country in which the Seventieth World Health Assembly would be held
WHA69(11)
WHA69(12) WHA69(13)
WHA69(14) WHA69(15)
WHA69(16) WHA69(17) WHA69(18) WHA69(19)
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Annex 4
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ANNEX 5
EXECUTIVE BOARD 140th session Geneva, 23 January–1 February 2017
EB140/1 (draft) 20 June 2016
Draft provisional agenda1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Opening of the session Adoption of the agenda Report by the Director-General Nominations for the post of Director-General Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board Report of the regional committees to the Executive Board Preparedness, surveillance and response 7.1 Health Emergencies • WHO response in severe, large-scale emergencies • Emergencies Oversight and Advisory Committee • Research and development for potentially epidemic diseases 7.2 7.3 7.4 Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance Poliomyelitis Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) • Draft global implementation plan • Public health implications of the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol 7.5 1
Review of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework
The Executive Board at its 139th session agreed to include three items in the forward-looking planning schedule of expected agenda items, established by decision WHA69(8): Improving access to assistive technology; Health and climate change; and Development of a new Health Assembly resolution and action plan for prevention of deafness and hearing loss. See the summary record of the Executive Board at its 139th session, second meeting and third meeting, section 1. Pending the decision by the Bureau of the Executive Board, the following items may or may not be part of the agenda for the 140th session of the Executive Board.
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8.
Health systems 8.1 8.2 Human resources for health Principles for global consensus on the donation and management of blood, blood components and medical products of human origin Addressing the global shortage of medicines and vaccines Evaluation and review of: – Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property – Follow-up of the report of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination – Member States mechanism on substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/ counterfeit medical products
8.3 8.4
9.
Communicable diseases 9.1 9.2 Global vaccine action plan Global vector control response
10.
Noncommunicable diseases 10.1 Preparation for the third High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in 2018 10.2 Draft global action plan on public health response to dementia 10.3 Public health dimension of the world drug problem 10.4 Ending childhood obesity: implementation plan
11.
Promoting health through the life course 11.1 Progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 11.2 The role of the health sector in the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management towards the 2020 goal and beyond
12.
Programme and budget matters 12.1 Implementation and financing of Programme budget 2016–2017: update 12.2 Proposed programme budget 2018–2019
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13.
Financial matters 13.1 Scale of assessments for 2018–2019 13.2 Amendments to the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules [if any]
14.
Management and governance matters 14.1 Overview of WHO reform implementation 14.2 Governance reform: follow-up to decision WHA69(8) (2016) 14.3 Engagement with non-State actors 14.4 Reports of committees of the Executive Board • Foundations and awards 14.5 Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee: membership renewal [if any] 14.6 Provisional agenda of the Seventieth World Health Assembly and date and place of the 141st session of the Executive Board
15.
Staffing matters 15.1 Appointment of the Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean 15.2 Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations 15.3 Human resources: update • Criteria and principles for secondments from nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic foundations and academic institutions 15.4 Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules 15.5 Report of the International Civil Service Commission
16.
Matters for information 16.1 Reports of advisory bodies • Expert committees and study groups
17.
Closure of the session
3
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Note: in line with resolution WHA67.2 (2014), the following items will be considered by the Health Assembly under progress reports. Communicable diseases Global technical strategy and targets for malaria 2016–2030 (resolution WHA68.2 (2015)) Global strategy and targets for tuberculosis prevention, care and control after 2015 (resolution WHA67.1 (2014)) Eradication of dracunculiasis (resolution WHA64.16 (2011)) Noncommunicable diseases Addressing the challenges of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020): outcome of the second Global High-level Conference on Road Safety – Time for Results (resolution WHA69.7 (2016)) Outcome of the Second International Conference on Nutrition (resolution WHA68.19 (2015)) WHO global disability action plan 2014–2021: better health for all people with disability (resolution WHA67.7 (2014)) Towards universal eye health: a global action plan 2014–2019 (resolution WHA66.4 (2013)) Health systems Strengthening emergency and essential surgical care and anaesthesia as a component of universal health coverage (resolution WHA68.15 (2015)) Regulatory system strengthening for medical products (resolution WHA67.20 (2014)) Progress in the rational use of medicines (resolution WHA60.16 (2007)) Promoting health through the life course Public health impacts of exposure to mercury and mercury compounds: the role of WHO and ministries of public health in the implementation of the Minamata Convention (resolution WHA67.11 (2014)) Newborn health action plan (resolution WHA67.10 (2014)) Female genital mutilation (resolution WHA61.16 (2008)) Working towards universal coverage of maternal, newborn and child health interventions (resolution WHA58.31 (2005)) Strategy for integrating gender analysis and actions into the work of WHO (resolution WHA60.25 (2007)) Preparedness, surveillance and response Smallpox (resolution WHA60.1 (2007))
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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU RÉGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL COMMITTEE Sixty-seventh session Manila, Philippines 10–14 October 2016 Provisional agenda item 16
WPR/RC67/11 Add. 1 7 October 2016 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COORDINATION OF THE WORK OF THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY, THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE NOMINATION OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR: CODE OF CONDUCT
Decision WHA69(8) in May 2016 invites regional committees to consider measures to improve the process of nomination of regional directors. This item is included on the agenda of the sixty-seventh session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific under agenda item 16.1 on WHO reforms. Discussion of this issue in the Western Pacific Region preceded global discussions. The Code of Conduct for the Nomination of the Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization was adopted by resolution WPR/RC63.R7 in 2012. The new code of conduct was applied in the Western Pacific Region in 2013–2014. The Code of Conduct is attached for the Regional Committee's reference.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
R E S O L U T I O N REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC COMITE RÉGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
WPR/RC63.R7 27 September 2012
NOMINATION OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR: CODE OF CONDUCT
The Regional Committee, Recalling the discussions held by the Committee since its fifty-ninth session on modalities to increase the fairness and transparency of the process for the nomination of the Regional Director; Also recalling its resolution WPR/RC61.R3, by which the Committee amended its Rules of Procedure in order to improve the effectiveness of the procedure for nominating the Regional Director; Convinced that the overall process of nomination, including the activities carried out by candidates and by Member States nominating or supporting those candidates, will benefit from agreed principles of good conduct; Recognizing at the same time that the nomination of the Regional Director is an intergovernmental process and that Member States have the sovereign right to conduct their foreign policy; Having considered the report by the Legal Counsel and the draft Code of Conduct annexed to it (WPR/RC63/8), …/
WPR/RC63.R7 page 2
1.
ADOPTS the Code of Conduct for the Nomination of the Regional Director of the Western
Pacific Region of the World Health Organization, as amended by the Committee (annexed); 2. CALLS UPON Member States to implement and abide by the Code of Conduct, to make it
widely known and easily accessible, and to bring it to the attention of persons they wish to propose for the post of Regional Director in future nomination processes; 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director to support the implementation of the Code of Conduct as
envisaged in the Code; 4. FURTHER REQUESTS the Regional Director to impress upon the Secretariat of the
Regional Office the importance of complying with the obligations laid out in the Staff Regulations and Rules with regard to the conduct to be observed during the process of nomination of the Regional Director, as provided in the section on internal candidates of the Code of Conduct. 5. DECIDES that the Code of Conduct will become effective at the end of the sixty-third
session of the Committee.
Seventh meeting, 27 September 2012
WPR/RC63.R7 page 3 ANNEX Code of Conduct for the Nomination of the Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization By resolution WPR/RC50.R8, the Regional Committee inter alia affirmed that "campaigns for elective office in the Western Pacific Region should be open and fair, and based on the merits of the individual candidates". In resolution WPR/RC61.R3, the Regional Committee also pointed to its intention to improve the fairness of the process for the nomination of the Regional Director. The Regional Committee requested the Legal Counsel to elaborate further on a possible code of conduct on the nomination of the Regional Director. This Code of Conduct (Code) aims at promoting an open, fair, equitable and transparent process for the nomination of the Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region (WPR) of the World Health Organization (WHO). In seeking to improve the overall process, this Code addresses a number of areas , including the submission of proposals and the conduct of electoral campaigns by Member States and candidates. The Code is a political understanding reached by the Member States of the Western Pacific Region (Member States). It recommends desirable behaviour by Member States and candidates with regard to the nomination of the Regional Director to increase the fairness, openness and transparency of the process and thus its legitimacy, as well as the legitimacy and acceptance of its outcome. As such, the Code is not legally binding, but Member States and candidates are expected to honour its contents. A. General Requirements I. Basic Principles The whole nomination process as well as electoral campaign activities related to it should be guided by the following principles that further the legitimacy of the process and of its result: Fairness Equity Transparency Good Faith Dignity, Mutual Respect and Moderation Non-Discrimination and Merit-based. II. Authority of the Regional Committee and its Rules of Procedure 1. Member States accept the authority of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific (Regional Committee) to conduct the nomination of the Regional Director in accordance with its Rules of Procedure and relevant resolutions of the Regional Committee. 2. Member States which propose persons for the post of Regional Director have the right to promote their candidature. The same applies to candidates with regard to their own candidature. In the exercise of that right, Member States and candidates should abide by all rules governing the nomination of the Regional Director contained in the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee as well as in relevant resolutions and decisions of the Regional Committee.
WPR/RC63.R7 page 4 Annex III. Responsibilities 1. It is the responsibility of Member States and candidates to observe and respect this Code. 2. Member States acknowledge that the process of nomination of the Regional Director should be fair, open, transparent, equitable and based on the merits of the individual candidates. They should make this Code publicly known and easily accessible. B. Requirements concerning the different steps of the nomination process I. Submission of proposals When proposing the name of one or more persons for the post of Regional Director, Member States will be requested by the Director-General to submit the necessary particulars of each person's qualifications and experience using the standard form annexed to this Code as an appendix, in order to improve the comparability of the merits and qualifications of candidates against the criteria adopted by the Regional Committee with resolution WPR/RC50.R8. II. Electoral campaign 1. This Code applies to electoral activities related to the nomination of the Regional Director whenever they take place until the nomination by the Regional Committee. 2. All Member States and candidates should encourage and promote communication and cooperation among one another during the entire nomination process. Member States and candidates should act in good faith bearing in mind the shared objectives of promoting equity, openness, transparency and fairness throughout the nomination process. 3. Member States and candidates should refer to one another with respect; no Member State or candidate should at any time disrupt or impede the campaign activities of other candidates. Nor should any Member State or any candidate make any oral or written statements or other representations that could be deemed slanderous or libellous. 4. All Member States and candidates should disclose their campaign activities (e.g. hosting of meetings, workshops, visits). Information disclosed will be posted on a dedicated page of the web site of the Regional Office. 5. Member States and candidates should refrain from improperly influencing the nomination process, by, for example, granting or accepting financial or other benefits as a quid pro quo for the support of a candidate, or by promising such benefits. 6. Member States and candidates should not make promises or commitments in favour of, or accept instructions from, any person or entity, public or private, when that could undermine, or be perceived as undermining, the integrity of the nomination process. 7. Member States that have proposed a candidate should facilitate meetings between their candidate and other Member States, if so requested. Wherever possible, meetings between candidates and Member States should be arranged on the occasion of conferences or other events involving Member States of the Region rather than through bilateral visits. 8. Member States nominating candidates for the post of Regional Director should consider disclosing grants or aid funding for the previous two years in order to ensure full transparency and mutual confidence among Member States.
WPR/RC63.R7 page 5 Annex 9. Travel by candidates to Member States to promote their candidature should be limited in order to avoid excessive expenditure, which could lead to inequality among Member States and candidates. In this connection, Member States and candidates should consider using as much as possible existing mechanisms (regional committees, Executive Board, World Health Assembly) for meetings and other promotional activities linked to the electoral campaign. 10. Electoral promotion or propaganda under the guise of technical meetings or similar events should be avoided. 11. After the Director-General has dispatched the names and particulars of candidates to Member States in accordance with the third paragraph of Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure, he/she will open on the web site of WHO a password-protected question-and- answer web forum open to all Member States and the candidates who request to participate in such a forum. 12. After the Director-General has dispatched the names and particulars of candidates to Member States in accordance with the third paragraph of Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure, the Regional Office will post on its web site information on all candidates who so request including their curricula vitae and other particulars of their qualification and experience as received from Member States, as well as their contact information. The web site will also provide links to individual web sites of candidates upon request. Each candidate is responsible for setting up and financing his/her own web site. The Regional Office will also post on its web site, at the time referred to in the first paragraph of Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee, information on the nomination process and the applicable rules and decisions. III. Nomination 1. The nomination of the Regional Director is conducted in private meetings of the Regional Committee in accordance with Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure. Attendance at the private meetings is prescribed by the Director-General and limited to essential Secretariat staff besides Member States. Candidates should not attend those meetings even if they form part of the delegation of their country. The votes in the private meeting are conducted by secret ballot. The results of the ballots should not be disclosed by Member States. 2. Member States should abide strictly by the Rules of Procedure and other applicable resolutions and respect the integrity, legitimacy and dignity of the proceedings. As such, they should avoid behaviours and actions, both inside and outside the conference room where the nomination takes place, which could be perceived as aiming at influencing its outcome. 3. Member States should respect the confidentiality of the proceedings and the secrecy of the votes. In particular, they should refrain from communicating or broadcasting the proceedings during the private meetings through electronic devices. IV. Internal candidates 1. WHO staff members, including the incumbent Regional Director, who are proposed for the post of Regional Director are subject to the obligations contained in the WHO Staff Regulations and Rules, as well as to the guidance that may be issued from time to time by the Director-General. 2. WHO staff members who are proposed for the post of Regional Director must observe the highest standard of ethical conduct and strive to avoid any appearance of impropriety. WHO staff members must clearly separate their WHO functions from their candidacy and avoid any overlap, or perception of overlap, between campaign activities and their work for WHO. They also have to avoid any perception of conflict of interest.
WPR/RC63.R7 page 6 Annex 3. WHO staff members are subject to the authority of the Regional Director and the DirectorGeneral, in accordance with the applicable regulations and rules, in case of allegations of breach of their duties with regard to their campaign activities. 4. The Regional Committee may suggest that Director-General consider applying Staff Rule 650 concerning special leave with or without pay to staff members who have been proposed for the post of Regional Director.
WPR/RC63.R7 page 7 APPENDIX Standard Form for the Proposal of Names of Persons for Nomination of the Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization 1. Please provide details of the qualifications and characteristics of the person proposed by your Government with regard to the criteria contained in Resolution WPR/RC50.R8, para. 2: a) a strong technical and public health background and extensive experience in international health ___________________________________________________________________ b) competency in organizational management
___________________________________________________________________ c) evidence of public health leadership
___________________________________________________________________ d) sensitivity to cultural, social and political differences
___________________________________________________________________ e) a strong commitment to the work of WHO
___________________________________________________________________