Overview of WHO reform implementation: report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board to the Seventieth World Health Assembly

SEVENTIETH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY A70/64 Provisional agenda item 23.1 22 May 2017 Overview of WHO reform implementation Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board to the Seventieth World Health Assembly 1. A member of the independent external evaluation team introduced the report on the third stage of the evaluation of WHO reform, highlighting the major achievements, the lessons learned, and the remaining challenges. 1 The report contained 10 recommendations, three priorities and 27 supporting actions. 2. Member States noted that the Organization was at a crucial juncture, with a unique opportunity to redesign and reposition itself, especially given the forthcoming election of the Director-General, the new leadership of the United Nations, the General Assembly’s resolutions including that on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the financial and other pressures on WHO. 3. The Committee appreciated the four reports on the overview of reform implementation. It welcomed the progress made, acknowledging achievements in relation to management reform and the adoption of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors, and indicated that it was essential for the new Director-General to continue the work on reform. 4. More work was needed to advance reforms in the area of programmes, especially at country level, and governance. Member States expressed concerns about the growing number of agenda items for governing body meetings, the volume of documentation and the late issue of documents − the functioning of the governing bodies was impeded as a result. They also were disquieted by the reported poor perception of progress in and relevance of reforms among the staff. 5. The Committee recognized the significance of the proposed priorities and recommendations, in particular: setting a clear direction for the Organization as part of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work; deciding whether the priority for governing body meetings was consensus-building or strategic decision-making, and whether the remit of the Executive Board should be restricted to its executive role; and unlocking the potential of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors. RECOMMENDATION TO THE HEALTH ASSEMBLY 6. The Committee recommended that, following the discussion at the Seventieth World Health Assembly, the subject be taken up by the Executive Board at its 142nd session as a substantive item on the provisional agenda. The Committee, on behalf of the Executive Board, recommended that the Health Assembly note the reports contained in documents A70/50, A70/50 Add.1 and A70/50 Add.2. 1 Document A70/50 Add.1, Annex; see also documents A70/50, A70/50 Add.2 and A70/INF./3. = = =