Environmental health (Resolution)

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/RC67.R2 12 October 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH The Regional Committee, Concerned that one quarter of death and illness in the Region is linked to the environment, with a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups such as young children and the poor; Alarmed by worsening environmental conditions and emerging environmental threats to health in Member States; Stressing the need for increased resources and improved collaboration between health, the environment, and other sectors and partners to strengthen capacity to address environmental threats to health; Acknowledging Member States' progress towards universal health coverage and increasing efforts to create healthy environments, including universal access to clean air, safe water and sanitation; Recognizing the unprecedented opportunity created by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to accelerate action on health and the environment; .../ WPR/RC67.R2 page 2 Noting the deep concern of the international community regarding growing health impacts of climate change, and welcoming the rapid ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2016; Having reviewed the draft Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet, 1. ENDORSES the Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet; 2. URGES Member States: (1) to engage with all sectors and agencies that affect environmental determinants of health and well-being to address environmental health goals and targets within the SDGs; (2) to strengthen monitoring and surveillance to guide evidence-based policies, plans and interventions and promote greater awareness of environmental health issues; (3) to integrate basic environmental health services, such as access to clean air, safe water and basic sanitation, in national health sector development plans; 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to disseminate and provide technical support to Member States to implement the Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet; (2) to disseminate tools and evidence to support Member States' work on environmental health; .../ WPR/RC67.R2 page 3 (3) to report periodically on progress in the implementation of the Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet. Fifth meeting, 12 October 2016