REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR EUROPE F o rty -n in th sessio n , F loren ce , 1 3 – 1 7 S e p te m b e r 1 9 9 9 W O R L D H E A L T H O R G A N I Z A T I O N R e g io n a l O f f ic e f o r E u r o p e C o p e n h a g e n Provisional agenda item 2(c) EUR/RC49/2 + EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./2 + EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./3 25 June 1999 08639 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH R e p o r t o f t h e S t a n d i n g C o m m it t e e o f t h e R e g i o n a l C o m m it t e e This document contains a report on the work done by the Standing Committee o f the Regional Committee (SCRC) since the forty- eighth session o f the Regional Committee. It covers meetings held in September and December 1998 and in April and M ay 1999. The report o f the September 1999 meeting will be contained in a separate addendum to this report. The Regional Com m ittee’s attention is drawn to the boxed paragraphs at the end o f a number o f sections, which describe the follow-up action to be taken. Two draft resolutions are attached, for the Com m ittee’s consideration: one to endorse this report, and the other to adopt changes to the Rules o f the Procedure o f the Regional Committee and the SCRC. C O N T E N T S Page Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 The current biennium (1999-2000).................................................................................................................................1 Promotion o f the HEALTH21 policy framework...............................................................................................1 HEALTH21 indicators and Health for All monitoring..................................................................................... 2 The Director-General’s “cabinet projects” ........................................................................................................ 2 External evaluation o f the Regional Office’s Communicable Diseases p rogram m e.............................3 The next biennium (2000-2001) and beyond............................................................................................................... 4 The Regional Office’s strategy for country work............................................................................................ 4 Proposals for taking forward a programme on ag in g ..................................................................................... 5 Proposals for taking forward the programme on nutrition............................................................................6 European Alcohol Action Plan, third phase ......................................................................................................6 The structure and function of public health in Europe...................................................................................7 Environment and h ea l th ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Procedural and other matters .............................................................................................................................................8 Nominations for membership o f the Executive Board, the SCRC and global advisory committees........................................................................................................................ 8 Rules o f Procedure o f the Regional Committee and the S C R C .................................................................. 9 Review o f draft resolutions and draft agenda for R C49................................................................................ 9 External evaluation o f EUROHEAETH and other programmes................................................................. 9 Address by the President o f the EUR Staff Associa tion.............................................................................10 Annex 1. Membership o f the Sixth SCRC, 1998-1999.......................................................................................... 11 Annex 2. Revised text o f Rules o f Procedure o f the Regional Committee and the SCRC ............................ 12 EUR/RC49/2 page 1 1. The sixth Standing Committee of the Regional Committee (SCRC) has so far held four meetings since the close o f the forty-eighth session o f the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC48). The first meeting, chaired by Dr Danielle Hansen-Koenig, the newly appointed SCRC Chairperson, was held at the WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO) on Friday, 18 September 1998. It was agreed on that occasion that Dr Jeremy Metters would continue to be Vice-Chairperson. The second meeting was held in Eilat, Israel, on 10 and 11 December 1998; the third meeting was at EURO from 14 to 16 April 1999, and the fourth meeting took place at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on 16 May 1999. A fifth and final meeting will be held near Florence, Italy, on 11 September 1999; the report o f that meeting will be contained in an addendum to this document. The members o f the sixth SCRC are listed in Annex 1. 2. Regretting the fact that the current geographical spread o f members resulted in unbalanced representation from the eastern part o f the Region, the SCRC agreed that Rule 3 o f its Rules o f Procedure allowed for the co-option o f a representative of a Member State for discussion o f certain agenda items. A representative of Tajikistan was therefore invited to attend its third meeting. T h e c u r r e n t b i e n n i u m (1 9 9 9 -2 0 0 0 ) P r o m o t io n o f the IIEALTH21 p o licy f r a m e w o r k 3. Following approval o f the new policy framework by RC48 (resolution EUR/RC48/R5), the SCRC was asked at its second meeting to suggest how HEALTII21 could best be promoted, what selling points should be emphasized, which target audiences should be addressed, and what roles should be played by W HO, Member States and the SCRC itself. 4. The SCRC considered that the overall aim was to secure Member States’ acceptance o f the policy framework. The selling points to be emphasized would depend on the target audiences chosen, and it recognized that the prime audience was policy-makers at national level. There was considerable benefit to be gained, it felt, in securing endorsement at the highest political level, from the president, prime minister or parliament o f a country. That would make it easier for a health ministry to convince other ministries o f the main value o f healthy public policy, namely that it was “good for business” or in other words that it was o f benefit to the various sectors concerned. 5. Health professionals, an important group o f opinion leaders in some countries, should be encouraged to feel a greater sense o f ownership of the policy framework, and it should therefore be made part o f the curriculum in universities, schools o f public health and medical schools. 6. In reaching out to the general public, the SCRC recognized the importance o f using a wide variety of approaches, involving patients’ groups, geographical networks and those based on settings such as schools. It emphasized the crucial role that the media would have to play there, and it commended the Secretariat on the efforts made to set up a health communications network and organize “advocacy training courses” . 7. The SCRC saw itself as serving as a forum for “brainstorming” ; W H O should play a role of coordination, while it was now up to Member States to implement the policy framework they had endorsed. To that end, the SCRC recommended that the question o f promotion o f HEALTH21 should be placed on the agenda o f RC49. 8. At its third meeting, the SCRC was informed that a series o f workshops were being held for EURO staff, with the aims o f improving work with countries and other partners and developing a strategic plan for 2000-2005, while harmonizing activities with the WHO reform process (on which a task force had been set up at the Regional Office). The SCRC again emphasized that what really mattered was to give effect to the H e a l t h 21 policy framework, ensuring that it was tailored to the problems and conditions found at each level o f implementation. To that end, some members felt that the workshop-based approach adopted at the Regional Office could usefully be followed at country level. I n t r o d u c t i o n EUR/RC49/2 page 2 9. It was generally agreed that an intersectoral approach was extremely important - the whole of society had to be mobilized, and that would entail a clear commitment from the highest political level. The SCRC accordingly reiterated its suggestion that WHO might organize a “millennium” event to publicize the ideas o f HEALTII21, with participants drawn mainly from ministers of health and top-level political figures. At the very least, the officers o f the Regional Committee (President, Executive President, and Deputy Executive President) and the Regional Director could write to the president and/or prime minister o f each country, urging them to take up the HEALTH21 strategy framework for in-depth debate and subsequent implementation. 10. In conclusion, the SCRC thought it would be advisable to have a mechanism for monitoring and following up what was being done in countries - perhaps involving the WHO liaison offices and the SCRC itself, but in any case, submitting reports back to the Regional Committee at regular intervals. Action b y the Regional Committee Review the paper on promotion o f the HEALTH21 policy fram ework (EUR/RC49/11) HEALTH21 indicators and Health for All monitoring 1 I . Following a summary o f the historical development and benefit to countries o f the HFA database, the SCRC was informed at its third meeting that 21 countries to date had replied to a questionnaire about the indicators to be used in connection with the new HEALTII21 policy framework. Eighteen had confirmed that the proposed list was in general adequate for monitoring progress towards the HEALTII21 targets, although 14 had identified difficulties regarding data collection methods, comparability, etc. O f the 59 generic indicators proposed, data on 23 could be obtained from secondary sources, while 36 would require direct collection. O f the latter, only 16 would necessitate survey/census data, and they would be collected at six-yearly intervals. 12. Once the differences between monitoring and evaluation had been clearly pointed out, the SCRC was asked to suggest any further action that might be needed in elaborating the indicators, and to recommend the best option for streamlining the monitoring process (every three years, every two years, or annually). 13. In response, the SCRC confirmed that the areas covered by the indicators were indeed appropriate, although further consideration should be given to socioeconomic and gender factors. It was noted that the indicators were designed to monitor progress towards the HEALTII21 targets only - many other sources held detailed information on other aspects, and it would be important to work closely with other United Nations agencies and the European Commission. 14. On the question o f the periodicity of the monitoring exercise, the SCRC unanimously preferred retaining the existing practice o f carrying out the exercise once every three years. Action by the Regional Committee • Review the paper on HEALTH21 indicators and Health for All m onitoring (EUR/RC49/7) • Consider the corresponding draft resolution (EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./4) The Director-G eneral’s “cabinet projects” 15. At its meeting in Eilat in December 1998, the SCRC was briefed on the Director-General’s five cabinet projects, which were designed to roll back malaria, make the world tobacco-free, base W H O ’s work on sound evidence, take full advantage o f modern information technology and foster cooperation between different partners on health sector development. Its guidance was then sought on two questions: EUR/RC49/2 page 3 what steps should be taken to ensure that global and regional activities complemented each other, and how could EURO’s activities in those areas be further developed and strengthened. 16. In general, the SCRC emphasized the importance of the cabinet projects for unifying the whole of WHO. It surmised that malaria had been chosen because it was a very high priority problem for developing countries, while tobacco was a major global concern. In both cases, work on the evidence base should concentrate on demonstrating good practice and exchanging experience, while information technology should be used to disseminate findings to the various partners involved. 17. With regard to malaria, the SCRC noted with concern the recent upsurge o f the disease in the southern and eastern parts o f the European Region. Malaria was in fact a global problem, and the cabinet project should be designed and funded accordingly. Immediate action should be taken on a global scale, thereby fostering the image o f WHO as one single organization. (At its fourth meeting, the SCRC was pleased to learn that the European Region had since been fully involved in Roll Back Malaria activities.) 18. Tobacco was a more complex issue that needed to be considered in depth and where action would necessarily extend over the longer term. EURO had a lot o f experience to offer the rest o f the Organization in that area, including clear evidence o f the impact o f a legislative ban on advertising, o f the importance o f educational measures, and o f the need to build partnerships with other sectors. Despite the fact that tobacco was an important cash crop (and its industry a major employer) in some European countries, the SCRC agreed that WHO should not be much involved in advocating supply side measures, although it should encourage countries to remove tobacco from their retail price indexes. 19. EURO had accumulated hard evidence o f the impact o f sound policies in many other areas apart from tobacco, and the SCRC urged the Organization to profit from the introduction o f more computerized data handling, inter alia to ensure smaller yet higher-quality data sets. 20. In conclusion, the SCRC asked the Secretariat to revise the paper so that it clearly described the successes achieved by the European Region. It should then be forwarded to WHO headquarters, and its contents conveyed to RC49. External evaluation o f the Regional O ffice’s Comm unicable Diseases programme 21. At its second meeting, the SCRC recommended that the Regional Director should instruct the external evaluators to pay particular attention to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (including syphilis) when looking at HIV/AIDS, to include poliomyelitis eradication in their review o f the expanded programme on immunization (EPI), and also to consider measles and tuberculosis control activities. 22. Presenting their report to the SCRC at its third meeting (document EUR/RC48/SC(3)/6), the external evaluators drew attention to their overall findings with respect to the evaluation criteria set by the SCRC. In particular, they had found that the objectives o f the programmes reviewed (the EPI and those on poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/STIs) broadly corresponded to the expressed needs o f the Member States. 23. The products and activities o f the majority o f programmes reflected changing health status, needs and priorities. Programme design appeared in the main to be relevant and cost-effective, although more emphasis could be placed on prevention activities. The intercountry and country programme components o f the programmes were however not entirely adequately integrated, and interregional cooperation needed to be improved. While there was satisfactory' cooperation between WHO headquarters and EURO on communicable diseases (CD), financial support from the former could be improved, and headquarters management o f the AIDS programme was not adequately coordinated with that o f EURO. External fund raising opportunities had been adequately pursued. A significant shortcoming in administrative support was the fact that the majority o f staff in the Department o f Infectious Diseases were employed on a temporary basis, and the lack o f WHO regular budget resources was found to be an obstacle to programme delivery. EUR/RC49/2 page 4 24. In the light o f those findings, the evaluators made a number o f recommendations, the most important o f which were that a comprehensive long-term CD strategy should be drawn up for both eastern and western European countries, and that action plans should focus more on subregional areas of intervention than on individual countries. Other recommendations were that cooperation with other United Nations agencies, national institutions and the European Commission should be expanded; that high-level political commitment in the Member States should be secured, perhaps through a regular letter sent out by the Regional Director; that regular budget funds should be increased and focused on supporting countries most in need; that the work o f the CD units should be more closely coordinated with that o f the EUROHEALTH programme; that further professional assistance from WHO was needed at country level; that EURO should make significant efforts to help countries develop their surveillance systems and to disseminate the data collected; and that W H O ’s programmes on the prevention and control o f nosocomial infections and on microbial resistance to antibiotics should be integrated at country level. 25. The SCRC commended the evaluators on their thorough work, which represented an excellent example o f what an audit could provide. All its members confirmed the need for the recently established Department of Infectious Diseases and called for it to be allocated more resources. They urged EURO to continue to work closely with the European Commission on the question o f surveillance systems and recognized that reporting systems in countries also needed to be improved. 26. The proposal to establish a subregional post on tuberculosis control for the Central Asian republics was welcomed, and the need was emphasized to seize the opportunity to act on re-emerging diseases. It was also important to coordinate CD control and treatment programmes properly, inter alia in order to overcome the problem o f microbial resistance. 27. In reply, the Regional Director confirmed that he would write to top decision-makers to secure their commitment to the aims o f the programme, and that an internal review and follow-up would be made of all the evaluation team’s recommendations. Action by the Regional Comm ittee Take note o f the paper containing a situation report on com m unicable diseases (EUR/RC49/Inf.Doc./l) THE NEXT BIENNIUM (2 0 0 0 -2 0 0 1 ) AND BEYOND The Regional Office’s strategy for country' work 28. When discussing the European Region’s proposed programme budget for 2000-2001, delegates at RC48 had expressed concern that only 10% o f the 1998-1999 budget was apparently devoted to country work. In reply, the Regional Director had suggested that the SCRC might wish to take up the whole question o f how to present a true picture of country support in the programme budget document. In addition, the Regional Committee had asked the SCRC (in resolution EUR/RC48/R9) to review the principles and criteria for the determination o f all country allocations in the European Region, with a view to developing allocation models based on objective criteria, and to report back to RC49. 29. Following a presentation outlining the history, recent developments and new challenges o f W H O ’s work in countries o f the European Region, the SCRC had a wide-ranging discussion o f the strategy to be followed in future. Among the many points raised were the need to find better ways o f fostering policy dialogue and horizontal, intersectoral collaboration at country level; the need to apply strict criteria for W H O ’s presence at country level; the difficulty o f having WHO liaison officers accepted by other partners (despite the fact that they could play a vitally important coordinating role); and the value o f a properly functioning infrastructure for achieving greater impact from any additional country funds that might be allocated. 30. It was clear that a thorough discussion was needed o f the fundamental principles o f W H O ’s country work. The SCRC therefore recommended that a detailed paper on the strategy for W H O ’s EUR/RC49/2 page 5 country work in the European Region should be presented to RC50, in conjunction with the findings o f the evaluation o f the EUROHEALTH programme. In the meantime, the paper submitted to RC49 should reflect the SCRC’s discussion and to point up some questions on which the Regional Committee’s preliminary views might be sought. In addition, the paper should include suggestions for the methodology to be followed in evaluating the EUROHEALTH programme (see paragraphs 64-66 below). 31. The SCRC wholeheartedly endorsed the principle o f adjusting the presentation o f the programme budget so that it gave a true picture o f W H O ’s country work, reflecting not only country programmes themselves but also intercountry programmes and collaborative networks. At its third meeting, it recommended that the content o f the working paper which it had reviewed (EUR/RC48/SC(3)/5) be conveyed to the Regional Committee. It looked forward to reviewing, at its September 1999 meeting, an outline proposal for an improved form o f presentation o f the regional programme budget and the Regional Director’s report. Noting that the problem o f presentation might also affect the Organization’s global budget, the SCRC suggested that the Regional Committee might wish not only to consider the question itself, but also to draw the Director-General’s attention to the problem. 32. With regard to the question of how to allocate, in the biennia from 2002-2003, the increase in the regional budget provided for by the resolution W H A 51.31, the SCRC endorsed a model for allocating the country budget which embodied the following principles: (a) to move towards application o f UN D P’s Health Development Index (HDI), (but disregarding immunization rates), as soon as possible; (b) to ensure that no country’s allocation fell from one biennium to the next; (c) to allocate country funds only to those countries (currently 29 in the European Region) which had a GNP per capita below the World Bank definition of “high income” (at present US $9636); (d) to maintain the special preference given by RC48 to the six “ low income” countries; (e) to ensure that no country received an allocation higher than its “ final” allocation for 2010-2011, when all such countries (including the six “ low income” countries) would receive an allocation according to the HDI. 33. Using that model, no country’s allocation would go down from one biennium to the next, i.e. every country would gain, which would not be the case were the HDI index to be introduced straight away. In addition, the model endorsed had the advantage o f giving more money more quickly to the most needy countries. Action by the Regional Committee • Review the paper on the Regional O ffice’s strategy for country work (EUR/RC49/8) • Consider the corresponding draft resolution (EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./8) Proposals for taking forward a programme on aging 34. In view o f the demographic, social and health situation in the European Region, the SCRC had asked the Secretariat to present proposals for taking forward an aging programme. The proposed strategies presented to it were based on a life-course approach and designed to influence the determinants o f old people’s health. They included action aimed at lifestyles, the health sector and other areas such as enhancing knowledge, improving physical environments, collecting evidence and fostering multisectoral responsibilities, as well as tackling specific issues such as older refugees and immigrants, elderly people with specific impairments, etc. 35. There were two options for re-establishing an aging programme: to appoint a full-time programme manager at the Regional Office or to work primarily through collaborating centres, with a part-time focal EUR/RC49/2 page 6 point in EURO. In either case, any regular budget funding made available in 2000-2001 would have to be released through cuts in other programmes. 36. The SCRC agreed that it would be inadvisable to cut funding from other budget posts, but one member offered to approach his government concerning a voluntary' donation, recommending an approach based on making a comparative study o f the situation in three or four countries. Other interested (and most affected) countries could then be asked to contribute additional funds, possibly for the purpose o f launching pilot projects. Proposals for taking forward the programme on nutrition 37. Like the aging programme, the SCRC had asked the secretariat to look at ways o f taking the nutrition programme forward. In response, it was presented at its third meeting with an outline o f a strategy and process for drawing up a nutrition action plan, for submission to the Regional Committee in September 2000. 38. Major components of that action plan included the establishment o f food and nutrition councils in Member States and o f a Committee on Food and Nutrition as a subgroup o f the European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC), as w'ell as updating o f the 1988 publication Healthy nutrition. Numerous situation analyses had already been carried out and tools developed (e.g. recommendations, guidelines and standards) - what was needed now was to foster mechanisms for dialogue between the various vested interests in the food system, to allay increasing consumer concern about food safety. 39. The consultation process for developing an action plan would coincide with that o f a French proposal for drawing up a strategy on nutritional health, to be presented to a meeting o f chief medical officers o f member countries o f the European Union (EU) in July or September 2000, to the Council o f Health Ministers in November 2000 and at a proposed joint EU/WHO/French Government conference on health and inequalities, to be held in Paris from 14 to 16 December 2000. That proposal was presented by Dr Andre Ernst (France) invited to attend the SCRC meeting under Rule 3 o f the SCRC’s Rules o f Procedure. 40. In the light o f those proposals, the SCRC was asked to say whether a food and nutrition action plan was needed, whether a WHO/EURO initiative should be linked to the EU/French plan, and whether it agreed to the consultation process leading up to RC50 and the Conference in December 2000. 41. The SCRC agreed that an action plan was needed but asked for a more differentiated approach to be advocated, depending on the specific problems faced by individual parts o f the Region or population groups. It was reassured to learn that preparation o f an action plan would require only minimal additional resources, and that bilateral funding was being sought for updating the 1988 publication. It endorsed the view that in nutrition, as in alcohol, the Regional Office should play its prime role o f acting as the health conscience for the Region. 42. It also approved the linkage with the French initiative within the context o f the EU and endorsed the process of consultation leading up to presentation o f a nutrition action plan to RC50 and the proposed conference in December 2000. European Alcohol Action Plan, third phase 43. At its third meeting, the SCRC was informed that 3 1 countries had participated in an evaluation o f the first and second phases o f the European Alcohol Action Plan (EAAP), covering the period 1992— 1998. On the basis o f the findings from that evaluation, a new action plan had been drawn up for presentation to the Regional Committee in September 1999. A European Ministerial Conference on Alcohol and the Young Generation would be held in Stockholm from 12 to 14 December 2000. 44. In addition to commenting on the evaluation and the EAAP 2000-2005, the SCRC was asked to give its views on how EURO could best communicate w'ith the alcohol industry and cooperate with WHO headquarters on the cabinet project that was being prepared. EUR/RC49/2 page 7 45. Members o f the SCRC, noting the possibility that ministries o f health, finance and tourism might have conflicting aims with regard to alcohol consumption, advocated the strengthening o f interministerial action in that area. 46. They also recommended that the Action Plan should be amended to include the objective of achieving a Europe-wide ban on alcohol advertising at sporting events and on advertisements aimed specifically at young people. Owing to international competition, countries were finding it difficult to implement a ban that covered all parts o f the alcohol industry (both domestic and foreign), so a Europe- wide initiative was required. 47. Other recommendations made by the SCRC included the need to urge all countries to reduce per capita alcohol consumption, to give prominence to accidents and a gender-based approach in the Third Phase, and, lastly, to work cautiously with groups representing the alcohol industry and even then only in western Europe. It was important that messages about safe drinking were clearly seen to be coming from public health experts, and not from industry sources. Action by the Regional Committee • Review the paper on the European Alcohol Action Plan (EUR/RC49/9) • Consider the corresponding draft resolution (EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./5) The structure and function of public health in Europe 48. Following discussion o f this subject at the Regional Committee last year, two parallel processes had been followed to produce a revised version o f the paper for submission to RC49: the reaction of Member States at RC48 had been carefully analysed, and further consideration had been given to the question o f promoting public health in the context o f HEALTH21. The resulting paper, submitted to the SCRC at its fourth meeting, perhaps placed more emphasis on training, capacity-building and research, rather than on the authority, position and organization o f public health itself. 49. The SCRC felt the paper had been improved. It approved o f the heightened emphasis placed on training, noting that W H O ’s support and endorsement there were crucial to giving public health the status it needed. It called for more coordination and links with other health professions, especially in the field of training, and it advocated the establishment o f departments o f public health at undergraduate level, not only in faculties o f medicine but also in schools o f nursing, etc. 50. At the same time, the SCRC firmly believed that the purpose o f the paper was to strengthen all aspects o f public health capacity in the European Region. That would entail going beyond public health medicine and the training of public health doctors, to embrace considerations o f all important aspects (water supply, sanitation, environmental factors, etc.). It would also require further elaboration o f the strategic framework within which specific activities in areas such as training and research could be carried out. In that context, the paper should draw more directly on HEALTH21 for its strategic dimension, and the sections on the leadership, management and authority o f the public infrastructures should be strengthened. The SCRC reviewed a draft resolution and recommended that the text be expanded to include: the strengthening o f university departments and institutes of public health; giving high priority to the development o f strategies, guidance and tools for public health systems; improving W H O ’s communication and cooperation with other non-health sectors; preparation for an international meeting on public health practice within the next three years. Action by the Regional Comm ittee • Review the paper on the structure and function o f public health in Europe (EUR/RC49/10) • Consider the corresponding draft resolution (EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./6) EUR/RC49/2 page 8 Environment and health 51. At its second meeting, the SCRC noted that a comprehensive strategy for EU RO ’s work in the area o f the environment and health from 1999 to 2005 was currently being developed, in the light o f the Health21 policy franiew'ork and the expected outcomes o f the Third Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health (London, June 1999), and would be submitted to RC49 for endorsement. Part o f that strategy would be an outline of the role that the Rome and Bilthoven divisions o f the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health (WHO-ECEH) could play during that period, as well as a plan for securing its resource base. 52. On the latter point, the SCRC endorsed the WHO-ECEH Liaison Committee’s view that there was a need to raise funds from, and encourage the involvement of, countries other than WHO-ECEH host countries in western Europe. 53. The SCRC was subsequently given extensive information, at its third meeting, about the mechanisms that would be used to implement the decisions taken at the London Conference. Foremost among those, at international level, would be the European Environment and Health Committee (EEHC), the continued existence o f which the Conference was expected to endorse. 54. The SCRC confirmed that it was very important to plan the action required to follow up the decisions that would be taken at the London Conference, and to link that follow-up to the HEALTH21 policy framework. It welcomed the invitation to Member States to come forward with nominations for membership o f the EEHC. Action by the Regional Committee • Review the paper on environm ent and health (EUR/RC49/3) • Consider the corresponding draft resolution (EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./l 0) • Elect members o f the EEHC (EUR/RC49/5 Add. 1) PRO CED U R A L AND O TH E R MATTERS Nominations for membership o f the Executive Board, the SCRC and global advisory com mittees 55. At its second meeting, the SCRC acknowledged the view (as endorsed by RC48) that further consideration o f the question o f “semi-permanent” membership o f the Executive Board, both by the SCRC itself and by interested Member States, would depend on the outcome o f discussions at WHA52. In the meantime, however, it decided to set up a subgroup to revise its proposals o f the previous year as and when required. 56. On the eve o f WHA52, at its fourth meeting, the SCRC requested the Regional Director to exploratory meetings during the Assembly with the countries most concerned, with the aim o f finding a basis for consensus. He should then consult with the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to see whether a further meeting o f the SCRC was required during the Assembly. Following such consultations it was subsequently decided to hold an ad hoc SCRC meeting on 15-16 July 1999 to which Member States would also be invited. 57. The great political sensitivity o f the matter was fully recognized. The SCRC none the less acknowledged that it had a duty, as set out in its Rules of Procedure, to act in the interests o f the Region as a whole. That might also include its members making concessions in order to secure agreement by consensus, hopefully before the start o f RC49 itself. EUR/RC49/2 page 9 58. In the light of the above, the SCRC would continue to try to reach agreement by consensus on candidates for membership of the various bodies or committees. If those attempts were unsuccessful, it would decide at its next meeting what further steps to take. Action by the Regional Comm ittee Agree on nominations for membership of the Executive Board and elect m em bers o f various other com m ittees (EUR/RC49/5) Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee and the SCRC 59. Pursuant to resolution EUR/RC48/R4, the SCRC decided, at its first meeting, to set up a subgroup to look at the whole question of the Rules of Procedure of the RC and the SCRC. On the basis o f a paper prepared by that subgroup, the Organization’s Legal Counsel and the Secretariat, the SCRC then made an initial review of the Rules at its second and third meetings. In respect of nominations to the EB and elections to the SCRC and other committees, the SCRC recognized that the RC had always preferred to operate by consensus, and that its own role was to facilitate this modus operandi. The subgroup did so by giving advice and making recommendations; in that context, the SCRC felt the question of holding a secret ballot on the slate of candidates to be presented to the RC (a divisive procedure) would be totally inappropriate. Furthermore, it would in any case be redundant in a situation where the RC had itself to hold a secret ballot to elect or nominate members of a particular body. 60. At its April 1999 meeting, the SCRC endorsed a revised version of the Rules of Procedure incorporating the various recommendations which it had already made. It also approved of the proposed change whereby a seat on the SCRC that became vacant with only one year of a term of office left to run could be “taken over” by a member who was coming to the end of his or her two-year term of office. Lastly, the SCRC agreed that it would be advisable to specify that there should be three alternate members of the Regional Search Group. 61. At its fourth meeting, the SCRC endorsed the draft RC resolution on this subject, noting that the full revised text of the Rules of Procedure would be contained in an annex to its report (see Annex 2). Action by the Regional Comm ittee • Review the revised Rules of Procedure of the Regional Comm ittee and the SCRC (Annex 2) • Consider the corresponding draft resolution (EUR/RC49/Conf.Doc./3) Review of draft resolutions and draft agenda for RC49 62. The SCRC at its fourth meeting reviewed, made some proposals for changes, and endorsed all the draft resolutions that would be submitted to RC49. 63. Furthermore, it commented on and endorsed a preliminary draft agenda for RC49 at its second meeting. Action by the Regional Committee Consider the draft agenda (EUR/RC49/1) External evaluation of EUROHEALTH and other program mes 64. In 1995 and 1998 the Regional Committee had decided and confirmed that the EUROHEALTH programme should be subject to external evaluation in 2000. The SCRC was accordingly requested to select two evaluators to carry out that task; in addition, it was asked whether it wished to continue the EUR/RC49/2 page 10 current practice of choosing evaluators by drawing lots, and whether it wanted to propose specific criteria for deciding which programmes should be evaluated in the future. 65. Choosing evaluators by drawing lots was unsatisfactory, the SCRC felt - it was better to make a deliberate choice based on the individual’s background, field of competence and skills. At its third meeting, it confirmed that, in addition to the criteria originally applied when constituting the panel o f external evaluators, it was important to strike a balance in terms o f gender and geography, as well as to choose evaluators who had first-hand knowledge o f the problem being studied (and relevant language skills would be an advantage). 66. On that basis, at its fourth meeting it chose members (and alternates) o f the team that would make the external evaluation o f the EUROHEALTH programme. 67. Members of the SCRC were urged to propose nominations o f experts for inclusion on the panel o f external evaluators. Members could nominate as many experts as they wished from any country in the European Region. The secretariat would also propose experts. The SCRC and the secretariat would then jointly review nominations at its September meeting and agree upon the Panel. 68. The SCRC also considered which specific criteria it should apply when deciding on the programme(s) to be evaluated in the future. Suggestions included the circumstances o f evident shortcomings in the programme or where it (or the regional situation) had undergone significant changes. Further consideration o f that issue would be included on the agenda o f the SCRC’s September 1999 meeting. In the meantime, it was agreed that the health care reform programme was an appropriate one for external evaluation in 2001. Address by the President o f the EUR Staff Association 69. As was customary, the President of the EUR Staff Association (EURSA) addressed the SCRC at its third meeting, describing salient features o f the past year (one o f which was the Director-General’s decision to establish a permanent Global Staff/Management Council). 70. EURSA welcomed having been asked to contribute to the global reform process within the Organization, but it was concerned that the reduction in the budget for administrative services might result in job losses. Training and retraining should be an integral part o f the reform process, and adequate funds should be set aside for that purpose. 71. The practice o f maintaining short-term staff on recurring contracts remained a cause for concern, and the President called for better long-term planning o f human resources. The prime concern o f EURSA was, o f course, the security o f the staff, and in that connection the President emphasized that equal rights to evacuation from war-torn countries for both internationally and locally recruited staff were o f primary importance. The specific measures currently applicable to the latter were unquestionably discriminatory and violated Article 7 o f the Universal Declaration o f Human Rights. 72. The Regional Director confirmed that staff security was a crucial issue. However, the distinction between locally and internationally recruited staff was a system-wide matter for the United Nations as a whole. Contractual arrangements, on the other hand, were a matter for the Director-General alone. Unfortunately, projected trends in the regular budget did not give much hope o f altering the balance between permanent and short-term staff. 73. The SCRC noted that the measures taken to ensure the s ta f fs security must be on a par with those in other parts o f the United Nations system. All members o f the SCRC were aware of the extremely heavy workload o f the staff and praised them for their efficiency and effectiveness. In conclusion, they commended the staff most warmly on their dedication to the cause o f health, and especially those staff who placed themselves “ in harm’s way” . EUR/RC49/2 page 11 Annex 1 M e m b e r s h ip o f t h e S i x t h SCRC, 1998-1999 Professor Ay§e Akin Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey Mr David A. Gunnarsson Secretary-General, Ministry of Health and Social Security, Reykjavik, Iceland Dr Danielle Hansen-Koenig (Chairperson) Director of Health, Health Directorate, Luxembourg Mr Philip I lubert Adviser to the Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel Dr James Kiely Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Dublin, Ireland Professor Frantisek Kolbel Head, Department of Internal Medicine, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic Dr Bozo Ljubic Minister o f Health, Ministry of Health, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr Isabel de la Mata Barranco Adviser to the Under-Secretary of Health and Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs, Madrid, Spain Dr Jeremy Metters (Vice-Chairperson) Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, London, United Kingdom Dr Viktor M. Volovej Head, Principal Department of Health Care Reforms, Ministry of Health, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova EUR/RC49/2 page 12 Annex 2 R e v i s e d t e x t o f R u l e s o f P r o c e d u r e o f t h e R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e a n d t h e S t a n d i n g C o m m i t t e e o f t h e R e g i o n a l C o m m i t t e e PART 1 RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR EUROPE I. M em bersh ip a n d a tt en d a n c e Rule 1 The Regional Committee shall consist o f not more than two rep resentatives o f each o f the Members (i.e. Member States M em- befs and Associate Members) o f the European Region o f the World Health Organization. The representatives may be accom panied by alternates and advisers. Rule 2 Subject to the terms o f any existing agreements, the Regional Committee may arrange for consultation with the respective re gional committees o f the United Nations and with those o f other specialized agencies and with other regional international organi zations having interests in common with the World Health Organi zation and for their participation, without vote, in its discussions. II. C red en tia ls Rule 3 The Members shall communicate to the Regional Director, if possible fifteen days before the date fixed for the opening o f any session o f the Regional Committee, the names o f their represen tatives and the names o f all alternates, and advisers and secretnr- ies. Similarly, the organizations referred to in Rule 2 invited to be represented at the session shall communicate the names o f the persons by whom they will be represented. The credentials o f persons attending the session shall be delivered to the Regional Director, if possible before the opening o f the session. III. Sess ions Rule 4 The Regional Committee shall hold at least one session a year. It shall determine at each session two years in advance the time and place o f subsequent sessions. Notices convening the meeting ses sion shall be sent by the Regional Director not more than six 1 months nor less than six weeks before the commencement o f the session to the Members, to the Director-General o f the World Health Organization and to the organizations referred to in Rule 2 invited to be represented. Rule 5 The Regional Director, in consultation with the President, shall also convene the Regional Committee at the joint request o f any eight Members addressed to him or her in writing and stating the reason for the request. In this case, the Committee shall be con vened within thirty days following receipt o f the request and the session shall be held at Regional Headquarters unless the Re gional Director, in consultation with the President, determines otherwise. The agenda o f such a session shall be limited to the questions having necessitated that session. In the event that the post o f Regional Director unexpectedly falls vacant, the Director- General may, in consultation with the President, convene the Re gional Committee for the purpose o f establishing a Regional Search Group and taking related decisions in accordance with Rule 47. Rule 6 Except as provided in Rule 47 the meetings shall be held in public, unless the Regional Committee decides otherwise. IV. A g e n d a Rule 7 The provisional agenda o f each session shall be drawn up by the Regional Director and despatched with the notice o f convocation. Rule 8 Except in the case o f sessions convened under Rule 5, the provi sional agenda o f each session shall include: (a) all items the inclusion o f which has been pre scribed by the World Health Assembly; (b) all items the inclusion o f which has been pre scribed by the Executive Board o f the World Health Organization; 2 (c) any item proposed by the Director-General; (d) any item proposed by a Member o f the Region; (e) any item proposed by the Standing Committee (established under Rule 14); (f) the report o f the Standing Committee, as provided for in Rule 16. Rule 9 Subject to the provisions o f Rule 5, the Regional Director may, in consultation with the President and the Executive President o f the Regional Committee (as provided in Rule 10), and the Dep uty Executive President as Chairperson o f the Standing Com mittee (as provided in Rule 14.2.3^ 4) include any question which may arise between the despatch o f the provisional agenda and the opening o f the session in a supplementary agenda, which the Re gional Committee shall examine together with the provisional agenda. V . O f f ic er s o f the R e g io n a l C om m ittee Rule 10 10.1 The Regional Committee, at each annual session con vened under Rule 4, shall elect as its officers a President, an Ex ecutive President and a Deputy Executive President. It shall also elect a Rapporteur. The officers and the Rapporteur shall hold office until their successors are elected. 10.2 The outgoing President shall submit a nomination for President, after consultation with the Regional Director, and a nomination for Executive President. In the case-o f the e lection o f the Deputy-Executive President, one or more nominations for the post shall be made by the President o n -the-basis^ o f consultations in it iated by the Regional Director and involving the Executive President shall submit a nomination for Deputy Executive Presi dent. after consultation with the Regional Director and the Standing Committee established under Rule 14.2 below. Addi tional nominations for President. Executive President and Deputy Executive President may be made by the Members o f the Re gional Committee. 3 4-Or2 In the event that the outgoing Deputy Executive President is-not- e lec-ted -as Executive Pres ident at the start o f an annual session, or he or she has previously given formal notice to the Regional Director that he or she does not seek-eleetion -as Execu tive President or he or she has been unable to-eomplete his or her term o f office, then one or more nominations shall-be made to the Reg ional Com m ittee by the -outgoing President in c-ensultation with the Regional Director. Rule 11 11.1 In addition to exercising the powers which are conferred upon him or her elsewhere by these Rules, the President presid ing officer shall declare the opening and closing o f each meeting o f the Regional Committee, shall direct the discussions, ensure observance o f these Rules, accord the right to speak, put ques tions and announce decisions. He or she shall rule on points of order, and, subject to these Rules, shall control the proceedings at any meeting and shall maintain order thereat. The President may, in the course o f the discussion o f any item, propose to the Regional Committee the limitation o f the time to be allowed to each speaker or the closure o f the list o f speakers. 11.2 When the President is not presiding, or for whatever rea son is otherwise unable to act or has expressly decided not to act in the capacity o f his or her office, all the functions, responsi bilities and powers o f the office shall be fully exercised by the Executive President. The President shall normally preside over the opening and closing meetings o f each session o f the Regional Committee, including the adoption o f the report o f the session, and over those agenda items involving nominations and elec tions. The Executive President shall normally preside over all other agenda items. 4-2^4 11.3 If both the President and Executive President de cide at any time not to preside over, or are unable to attends a session or any meeting, then the Deputy Executive President shall preside. T2t2 11.4 In the event that all the officers are unable to at tend a session, or any meeting, the Regional Committee shall elect a person to preside until such time as one o f the officers is able to attend. 4 Rule 12 4-3t3- Where consultation with the President is provided for in these Rules, and the President is not available for consultation, such consultation shall be held with the Executive President, the President being informed. The Regional Director may also, at his or her discretion, consult the Executive President and Deputy Executive President in their own right whenever this appears ap propriate for the matter in question. Rule 13 The President, or the Executive President or the Deputy Execu tive President, while presiding over the Regional Committee, may not vote unless they are unable to appoint another representa tive or alternate from their delegation to act as representative of their government. V I. S u b -c o m m ittees o f the R e g io n a l C o m m ittee Rule 14 14.1 The Regional Committee may establish sub-committees or other subdivisions for the study of, and report on, any item on its agenda. 14.2 The Regional Committee shall establish a sub-committee called the Standing Committee o f the Regional Committee with the following terms o f reference: 14.2.1 The Standing Committee shall consist o f a Chairperson, as provided in Rule 14.2.34, and nine other representatives o f Member States that have been elected for that purpose by the Regional Committee. Refe rence to “persons” in this Rule 14, and in any Rules of-Procedure adopted for use by the Standing Com mittee, shall mean representatives o f the M ember States e lected as-prov ided here in. The Regional Committee shall, when electing the membership o f the Standing Committee, take into account the need for equitable geographical distribution, adequate represen tation of the interests o f the Region, the opportunity for all Mem bers States o f the Region to participate over time in the work of the Standing Committee and other considerations relevant to maximizing the effectiveness o f the work o f the Standing Com mittee. 5 14.2.2 The rules set forth below shall apply for determining the membership o f the Standing Committee. (a) Not less that eight months before the date fixed for the opening o f the next annual session o f the Regional Commit tee, the Regional Director shall inform each Member State o f the Region that he or she will receive nominations for membership on the Standing Committee. Nominations shall be made by Member States notifying the Regional Director six months before the start date fixed for the opening o f the Regional Committee session o f their interest in having a representative on the Stand ing Committee. Member States shall submit with their nomina tions curricula vitae, in a standard format, o f the representatives they intend to appoint if elected to the Standing Committee. The Regional Director shall notify all Members States o f the Region prior to the start o f the World Health Assembly o f the nomina tions so received and shall send to all Member States the curric ula vitae o f the candidates proposed intended representatives. (b) The Officers o f the Standing Committee, in con sultation with the Executive President o f the Regional Commit tee and the Regional Director, shall seek consensus among coun tries— nominating— candidates Member States submitting nominations. In so doing the Standing Committee shall seek rea- Standing Committee and take into account the quality and expe rience o f the individual candidates to achieve the criteria enu merated in Rule 14.2.1. Member States having submitted nomi nations may at any time during such consultations withdraw their nominations, by notifying the Regional Director, in order to achieve consensus among those Member States having submitted nominations. (c) Should it not be possible to reach consensusr-an e lection- shall take place in accordance with Rules 3 8 t o -46 as provided in paragraph Cb) abovev - such that immediately prior to the start o f the Regional Committee session at which the mem bership o f the Standing Committee is to be considered, there are more nominations than there are seats to be filled - them the Standing Committee shall draw up in a manner to be determined by it a list o f candidates equal to the number o f seats to be filled which, in the Standing Committee’s opinion, would best meet - if elected - the criteria enumerated in Rule 14.2.1. The Standing 6 Committee shall submit this list to the Regional Committee for its information when considering the membership o f the Standing Committee. (d) Member States Sttbm ittfflg having submitted nomi nations must be represented present-at the Regional Committee during the relevant agenda item otherwise their nominations will not be considered. Member States having submitted nominations, but which are not on the list o f candidates drawn up by the Standing Committee, may at any time withdraw their nomina tions by notifying the Regional Director. If at the time o f selec tion o f the members o f the Standing Committee, there are still more nominations than there are seats to be filled, the Regional Committee shall elect the members by secret ballot in accordance with Rule 43- person (see Rule 14 .2.3), shall be elected for three years and shall not be immediately re-elected., except- that- in-the first year fol- low in g -the adoption o f this Rule, three-members shall be e lected for one year only and three members shall-be e lected^ e r two 14.2.34 The Deputy Executive President o f the Regional Committee shall be ex officio the Chairperson o f the Standing Committee. The Executive President may attend any meeting of the Standing Committee as an observer without the right to vote. 14.2.45 The Standing Committee shall propose its own Rules o f Procedure to be approved by the Regional Committee. If there are no rules that apply to a certain matter, the Standing Committee m ay- at-ks-d iscre t ion shall apply such o f the Rules o f Procedure o f the Regional Committee or, in the absence o f any relevant rules, o f the Executive Board or the World Health As sembly as it may be necessary to obtain a rule relevant to the situation. 14.2.56 The functions o f the Standing Committee shall be: (a) to act for and represent the Regional Committee and to ensure that effect is given to the decisions and policies of the Regional Committee; 7 (b) to advise the Regional Committee on questions referred to it by that body, and to counsel the Regional Director as and when appropriate between sessions o f the Regional Com mittee; (c) to submit advice or proposals to the Regional Committee and to the Regional Director on its own initiative; (d) to propose items for the agenda o f meetings o f the Regional Committee; (e) to submit to the Regional Committee for consid eration and approval the regional component o f W H O ’s general programme o f work; (f) to perform any other functions entrusted to it by the Regional Committee. (g) to report to the Regional Committee on its work. 14.2.67 In exercising their mandate, members o f represen tatives on the Standing Committee should consider the general interests o f the Region and act on behalf o f the Regional Com mittee as a whole, not excluding acting in the interests o f the whole in situations where this would be at the immediate expense o f other interests o f concern to them. V I] A tE le c t io n o f Representatives TO OTHER BODIES t o -the-Eu r o pea n E n v ir o n m e nt a n s 44ea lth C o m m ittee Rule 14.3 Selections o f Members to be represented on bodies not covered by Rules 14.1 and 14.2 shall be caried out, mutatis mutandis, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rule 14.2.2. 44 t3t4—The Committee shall e lect- fe ur—representatives—to -the European Environment and—Health Committee (EEHC) estab lished— in— accordance— with— the— Helsinki— Declaration— e f 22 June 1994. The Committee-shall, when e lecting the members o f -the EEHC, take i nto aceount-the need to ensure equitable geo graphica l d istribution, adequate representation o f the interests o f the Region, and an opportunity for all-Members o f the Region to partic-ipate - i n t h e work o f the EEH C -as-well-as other- considera- t ions re levant to maximizing-the-e ffectiveness o f the work o f the EEHC.- 14 .3.2—Nominations for membership o f the EEHC shall be made by-Member- States -notifying the Regional-Director s ix months be- fore-the-sta rt-o f the-Regional Com m ittee-session of-their inte rest in having a representative on the EEHC. All nominations shall be aeeo mpan-ied-by curricula vitae, in standard- formatr o f the candi dates -propo sed. TheTl eg ional Direetor-shall--notify all Members o f the Reg ion prior t o -the-start-of- the World Health A ssembly o f the nominat ions so rece ived and shall-send- to a ll -M embers the curricula vitae o f the candidates proposed. ecutive President o f the Regional Com m ittee and the Regional Director, shall seek consensus among countries nominating can able geographical d istribution- o f countries represented on the EEHC and take into account -the-quality and experience o f the 44 :3.4—Should it not be possible to- reaeb-eensensus-an e lection shall take-p laee in accordance w ith Rules 3 8 to 46. ■14 .3.5—Mem ber States submitting nom inations must be present at the-Reg ional Committee during the re levant- a genda--item other- ¥ U t V III . S ec r eta r ia t Rule 15 The Regional Director shall be ex officio the Secretary o f the Re gional Committee and o f the Standing Committee and o f any other subdivision o f the Committee. He or she may delegate these functions. Rule 16 The Regional Director shall report to the Regional Committee on the technical, administrative, financial and policy implications,as the case may be, o f all agenda items. The Standing Committee will present its views on the major items as appropriate. 9 The agenda o f the Regional Committee shall include a report by the Standing Committee to the Regional Committee which shall be presented by the Chairperson and/or by any mem bers o f the Standing Committee appointed by the Chairperson. Rule 17 The Regional Director, or a member o f the Secretariat designated by him or her, may at any time make either oral or written state ments concerning any question under consideration. Rule 18 A draft report o f each session o f the Regional Committee shall be prepared by the Secretariat for adoption by the Regional Com mittee prior to the close o f each session. The Secretariat shall also arrange for sound recordings to be made o f the meetings o f the Regional Committee. Such recordings o f the whole or part o f the session shall be made available to Member States on request, in the original language o f the speakers and/or the interpretation into any o f the four working languages o f the Region. Transcripts o f specific parts o f sessions shall likewise be made available upon request. Rule 19 All resolutions, recommendations, and other important decisions of the Regional Committee shall be communicated by the Regional Director to the representatives, to all Members and to the Direc- tor-General. vfflv lX . La n g u a g e s Rule 20 English, French, German and Russian shall be the working lan guages o f the Regional Committee. Speeches made in any working language shall be interpreted into the other working languages. Rule 21 Any representative may speak in a language other than the working languages. In this case he or she shall himself or herself provide for interpretation into one o f the working languages. Interpretation into the other working languages by interpreters o f the Secretariat shall be based on the interpretation given in the first working language. 10 IX tX . C o n d u c t o f busin ess Rule 22 A majority o f the Members States represented at the session shall constitute a quorum. Rule 23 No representative may address the Regional Committee without having previously obtained the permission o f the President pre siding officer. The President presiding officer shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their desire to speak. The Pres ide nt presiding officer may call a speaker to order if his or her remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion. Rule 24 Any representative may request his or her alternate to speak and vote on any question. Upon the request o f the representative or his or her alternate, the President may allow an adviser to speak but the latter shall not have the right to vote. Rule 25 During the discussions o f any matter, a representative may raise a point o f order and the point o f order shall be immediately de cided by the President presiding officer. A representative may appeal against the ruling o f the President, in which case the ap peal shall immediately be put to the vote. A representative rais ing a point o f order may speak on the point o f order only. He or she may not speak on the substance o f the matter under discus sion. Rule 26 During the course o f a debate the President presiding officer may announce the list o f speakers and, with the consent o f the Com mittee, declare the list closed. He or she may, however, accord the right o f reply to any representative if in his or her opinion a speech delivered after he or she has declared the list closed makes it desirable. Rule 27 The following motions shall have precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions, except a point o f order: (a) to suspend the meeting; (b) to adjourn the meeting; (c) to adjourn the debate on the item under discussion; and (d) for the closure o f the debate on the item under discussion. Rule 28 Subject to Rule 27, any motion calling for a decision on the competence o f the Regional Committee to adopt a proposal sub mitted to it shall be put to the vote before a vote is taken on the proposal in question. Rule 29 During the discussion on any matter, a representative may move the suspension or adjournment o f the meeting. Such motion shall not be debated but shall be immediately put to the vote. For the purpose o f these Rules, “ suspension o f the meeting” means the temporary postponement o f the business of the meeting and “adjournment o f the meeting” the termination o f all business until another meeting is called. Rule 30 During the discussion on any matter, a representative may move the adjournment o f the debate on the item under discussion. In addition to the proposer o f the motion, one speaker may speak in favour of, and one against, the motion, after which the motion to adjourn the debate shall be immediately put to the vote. Rule 31 A representative may at any time move the closure o f the debate on the item under discussion, whether or not any other representative has signified his or her wish to speak. If request is made for per mission to speak against closure, it may be accorded to not more than two representatives, after which the motion shall be imme diately put to the vote. If the Regional Committee decides in fa vour o f closure, the President presiding officer shall declare the debate closed. Rule 32 A representative may move that parts o f a proposal or o f an amendment shall be voted on separately. If objection is made to 12 the request for division, the motion for division shall be voted upon. Permission to speak on the motion for division shall be given only to two speakers in favour and two speakers against. If the motion for division is carried, those parts o f the proposal or o f the amendment which are separately approved shall subse quently be put to the vote as a whole. If all operative parts o f the proposal or the amendment have been rejected, the proposal or the amendment shall be considered to have been rejected as a whole. Rule 33 When an amendment to a proposal is moved, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments to a proposal are moved, the Regional Committee shall first vote on the amendment deemed by the Preside nt presiding officer to be fur thest removed in substance from the original proposal and then on the amendment next removed therefrom, and so on, until all the amendments have been put to the vote. Where, however, the adoption o f one amendment necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment, the latter amendment shall not be put to the vote. If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended pro posal shall then be voted upon. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it only adds to, deletes from, or revises part o f that proposal. A motion which constitutes a substitution for a proposal shall be considered as a proposal. A proposal for amendment to any motion or to any reso lution should normally be made in writing and handed to the Sec retariat o f the Regional Committee at the time that it is made. Rule 34 If two or more proposals are moved, the Regional Committee shall first vote on the proposal deemed by the Pres ident presiding officer to be furthest removed in substance from the proposal first presented and then on the proposal next removed therefrom, and so on, until all the proposals have been put to the vote, unless the result o f a vote on a proposal makes unnecessary any other voting on the proposal or proposals still outstanding. 13 Rule 35 A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting on it has commenced, provided that the motion has not been amended, or, if amended, that the proposer o f the amend ments agrees to the withdrawal. A motion thus withdrawn may be reintroduced by any representative. Rule 36 When a proposal has been adopted or rejected it may not be re considered at the same session, unless the Regional Committee, by a two thirds majority o f the representatives present and vot ing, so decides. Permission to speak on a motion to reconsider shall be accorded only to two speakers opposing the motion, after which it shall be immediately put to the vote. Rule 37 The President presiding officer may at any time require any pro posal, motion, resolution or amendment to be seconded. XtX I. V o t in g Rule 38° Each Member entitled to vote shall have one vote. Rule 39 Subject to Rule 36, the decisions o f the Regional Committee shall be made by a majority o f the representatives present and voting. For the purpose o f these Rules, the phrase “ representa tives present and voting” means representatives casting an af firmative or negative vote. Representatives abstaining from vot ing are considered as not voting. In a secret ballot all invalid votes shall be so reported to the Committee and shall be counted as abstentions. Rule 40 If the votes are equally divided on a matter other than an elec tion, the proposal shall be regarded as not adopted. a A ssem b ly R e so lu t ion W H A 2 .1 0 3 , pa ra 3 (2 ) reads: “ A s so c ia te M e m b e rs sha ll h a v e all r igh ts an d o b l ig a t io n s in the r e g io n a l o r g a n iz a t io n s , w ith the e x c e p t io n th a t th e y wil l h a v e no vo te in p le n a ry m e e t in g s o f the R e g io n a l C o m m it te e , n o r in subd iv is io n s dea l in g with f inance o r cons t i tu t ion m a t te r s” . 14 Rule 41 The Regional Committee shall normally vote by a show o f hands, except that any representative may request a roll call, which shall then be taken in the English alphabetical order o f the names of the Members. The name o f the Member to vote first shall be de termined by lot. The vote o f each representative participating in any roll call shall be inserted in the records. Rule 42 After the President presiding officer has announced the beginning o f voting, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point o f order in connection with the actual conduct o f voting. Rule 43 Elections shall normally be held by secret ballot. However, ex cept as concerns the nomination o f the Regional Director, if the number o f candidates for elective offices does not exceed the number o f offices to be filled, no ballot shall be required and such candidates shall be declared elected. Where ballots are re quired, two tellers appointed by the President presiding officer from among the representatives shall assist in the counting o f votes. The nomination o f the Regional Director shall be decided by secret ballot in accordance with Rule 47. Rule 44 In addition to the cases provided for elsewhere by these Rules, the Regional Committee may decide to vote on any matter by se cret ballot, provided that no secret ballot may be taken on budget ary questions. A decision under this Rule by the Regional Committee, whether or not to vote by secret ballot, may only be taken by a show o f hands; if the Regional Committee has decided to vote on a particular question by secret ballot, no other mode o f voting may be requested or decided upon. Rule 45 Subject to the provisions o f Rule 46 when only one elective place is to be filled and no candidate obtains in the first ballot the majority required, a second ballot shall be taken which shall be restricted to the two candidates obtaining the largest number o f votes; if in the second ballot the votes are equally divided, the 15 President presiding officer shall decide between the candidates by drawing lots. Rule 46 When two or more elective places are to be filled at one time un der the same conditions, those candidates obtaining in the first ballot the majority required shall be elected. If the number of candidates obtaining such majority is less than the number of places to be filled, there shall be as many additional ballots as are necessary to fill the remaining places, the ballots being restricted to the candidates obtaining the greatest number o f votes in the previous ballot to a number not more than twice the places re maining to be filled. Rule 47 47.1 At its session preceding the one at which a person is due to be nominated as Regional Director, the Regional Committee shall appoint a Regional Search Group composed o f the Chair person o f the Standing Committee ex officio and three members chosen from delegations o f the Members attending e ^ t h e Re gional Committee, based on equitable geographical representa tion, to make a preliminary evaluation o f candidates for nomina tion in the light o f the criteria specified by the Regional Committee and to perform related functions as set out in this Rule. The Regional Committee shall also appoint three alternates to the Regional Search Group. 47.2 The rules set forth below shall apply for determining the composition o f the Regional Search Group. (a) T he Executive President and the Deputy Executive President o f the Regional Committee shall present to the Re gional Committee for approval a list o f three members and three alternates drawn from delegations o f Members attending the Regional Committee, having due regard to the need for geo graphic representation. Any Member o f the Regional Committee may propose additions to such list. On the basis o f such list, as amended by any additions proposed, the Regional Committee shall, in accordance with the provisions o f Rule 43. determine the composition o f the Regional Search Group. (b) The members and alternates shall cease to serve on the Regional Search Group if a candidate is presented by the 16 Member on whose delegation they served at the Regional Com mittee when they were appointed. Alternates appointed to the Regional Search Group shall replace members when the latter are unable to complete their term for any reason. 47.23 Not less than eleven months before the date fixed for the opening o f a session o f the Regional Committee at which a per son is due to be nominated as Regional Director, the Director- General shall inform each Member o f the Region that he or she will receive proposals of names o f candidates for nomination by the Regional Committee as Regional Director. Copies shall be sent to the Regional Office’s list o f official contacts, as well as to the Chairperson o f the Regional Search Group. 47.34 Any Member o f the Region may propose the name or names o f one or more persons, each o f whom has indicated will ingness to act as Regional Director, submitting with each pro posal particulars o f the person’s qualifications and experience. Such proposals shall be sent to the Director-General so as to reach him or her not less than seven months before the date fixed for the opening o f the session. This time limit may be extended by the President o f the Regional Committee on the proposal o f the Regional Search Group. Any such extension shall be commu nicated by the Chairperson o f the Regional Search Group to the Director-General, who shall promptly inform the Member States o f the Region. 47.45 A person holding office as Regional Director for the Re gion shall, if he or she is eligible and has so requested within the time limit referred to in Rule 47.3, be a candidate for nomination without being proposed under the preceding paragraph. 47.-56 Not later than two weeks after the expiration o f the time limit referred to in Rule 47.3, the Director-General shall transmit a list o f names and all particulars o f candidates received to the Chairperson o f the Regional Search Group. 47.67 The Director-General shall, not less than ten weeks be fore the date fixed for the opening o f the session, cause copies o f all proposals for nomination as Regional Director (with particu lars o f qualifications and experience) received by him or her within the period specified to be sent to each Member o f the Re gion and shall indicate to each Member whether or not the person 17 holding the office is a candidate for nomination. Copies shall be sent to the Regional Office’s list o f official contacts, as well as to the Chairperson o f the Regional Search Group. 47.-78 At the same time, the Chairperson o f the Regional Search Group shall send, under confidential cover, the evaluation report o f the Search Group on all candidates, and an unranked short-list o f not more than five candidates who in its opinion most closely meet the criteria laid down, to the President, the Executive Presi dent and the Deputy Executive President o f the Committee, to each Member State o f the Region according to the Regional Office’s list o f official contacts, and to the Director-General. 47.89 From the outset o f its work, the Regional Search Group shall search actively for suitable candidates who meet the criteria agreed to by the Regional Committee. The candidature o f such persons shall be submitted in accordance with the procedure set out in Rule 47-^ 47.4. 47.910 In the event that the post o f Regional Director un expectedly falls vacant, the Director-General shall: (a) designate a person to act as Regional Director until the appointment o f a new incumbent; (b) decide, in consultation with the President, whether a special meeting o f the Regional Committee should be convened as set out in Rule 5. 47 .T 0H The nomination o f Regional Director shall take place at a private meeting o f the Regional Committee. The Re gional Committee shall make a selection by secret ballot from among the persons who are candidates under this Rule, in the following manner: (a) at each ballot, each representative entitled to vote shall write on his or her ballot paper the name o f a single candi date chosen from those who are candidates under this Rule; (b) if a candidate obtains at any ballot the majority required under Rule 39, he or she shall be declared nominated; (c) if at a ballot no candidate obtains the required majority and one candidate obtains a lesser number o f votes than any other candidate, he or she shall be eliminated and a further election ballot held; 18 (d) if at any ballot no candidate obtains the required majority and two or more candidates obtain the same lesser num ber o f votes than other candidates, the Regional Committee shall decide by ballot as to which o f the candidates obtaining such lesser number o f votes shall be eliminated and, such candidate having been eliminated, a further election ballot shall be held. 47.-1412 If the number o f candidates is reduced to two, and if there is a tie between those two candidates after three further ballots, the names o f both those candidates shall be forwarded for selection to the Executive Board. 47.4213 The name o f the person or persons so nominated shall be announced at a public meeting o f the Regional Commit tee and submitted to the Executive Board. 47.4414 The Regional Committee may also inform the Ex ecutive Board o f the name o f another candidate considered suit able for the case where the person first nominated is not avail able. 47.4415 The appointment o f the Regional Director shall be for five years and he or she shall be eligible for reappointment once only. XJtX II. S u spen s io n a n d a m en d m en t o f Rules o f P r o c ed u r e Rule 48 Any o f these Rules may be suspended provided that at least forty-eight hours’ notice o f the proposal for such suspension has been given to the Pres ident presiding officer and communicated by him or her to the representatives twenty-four hours before the meeting at which the proposal is to be submitted. If, however, on the advice o f the President presiding officer the Regional Com mittee is unanimously in favour o f such a proposal, it may adopt it immediately and without notice. Rule 49 Amendments o f these Rules may be adopted by the Regional Committee provided notice o f a proposed amendment is given in 19 writing to Members or their representatives at least forty-eight hours before the meeting at which the proposal is to be submitted. xhtX III . G en er a l p r o v is io n s Rule 50 If there are no rules herein applicable to a certain matter, the Re gional Committee may at its discretion shall apply sueh the Rules o f Procedure o f the World Health Assembly or. in the absence of any relevant rules, o f the Executive Board as-it may deem appro priate to particular c ircumstances -for which provision- does not exist in these Rules . 20 PART II RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR EUROPE I. M em bersh ip a n d a tt en d a n c e Rule 1 The Standing Committee of the Regional Committee for Europe (hereinafter referred to as the “Standing Committee”), shall, in accordance with Article 49 o f the Constitution o f the World Health Organization (hereinafter referred to as the “Organization”) and the Rules o f Procedure o f the Regional Committee for Europe (hereinafter referred to as the “Regional Committee”), consist o f and be attended by the Deputy Executive President of the Regional Committee as ex officio Chairperson and the other persons representatives o f Member States o f the Region duly elected by the Regional Committee to serve on the Standing Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “members”). Rule 2 2.1 Members States elected to the Standing Committee shall be formally notified by the Regional Director forthwith o f their election together with a request that they confirm in writing as soon as possible, and in any event within 30 days, o f their wtten- tion to serve appointment of atheir representative to attend the Standing Committee. 2.2 In the event that a Member State declines to appoint a Standing Committee as provided in paragraph 2.1 above, or for any reason the representative ceases to be the appointed repre sentative o f the Member State concerned and the Member State does not appoint in accordance with paragraph 2.3 a new repre sentative within 60 days, the seat shall automatically be declared vacant. 2.3 Any Member State wishing to change its appointed repre sentative on the Standing Committee should first submit a cur riculum vitae for the person concerned and consult with the Offi cers o f the Regional Committee and the Regional Director. 2.4 In the event that a member o f representative o f a Member State, who is a representative on the Standing Committee^ is elected President, Executive President or Deputy Executive President o f the Regional Committee, that mem ber’s Member State’s seat wiH shall be declared vacant and filled by election 21 while the Regional Committee is still in session from among nominations received for membership of the Standing Committee. 2.5 Representatives of M em bers-ef States on the Standing Committee shall be entitled to have travel expenses and per diem allowances relating to the Standing Committee business covered by the Regional Office. 2.6 Representatives of Members States may be accompanied by one alternate or adviser. resentative of a Member State is not able to attend a meeting of the Standing Committee, an alternate may replace the person rep resentative with full rights to speak, vote and otherwise partici pate in the Standing Committee. 2.8 tf-In the event that (a) a me mber of the seat o f a Member State on the Standing Committee does not attend remains empty for two con secutive sessions of the Standing Committee by not having either the appo inted -representative or alternate attend any part o f either o f the two sessions; and (b) without showing the Member State concerned has not shown good cause for such absence, to the satisfaction of thehairperson of the Standing Committee; the Chairperson of the Standing Committee ,- ■ afte r consultation with the Presiden t-a n d -the Regional Director—and-with shall in form the Standing Committee of that fact at the end of that sec ond session and, with the agreement of the Standing Committee and with the approval of the President of the Regional Commit tee, shalb-if it be so agreed, declare the seat vacant. 2.9 In aU cases where a seat falls vacant an election for the re mainder of the term shall be held at the next annual session of the Regional Committee from among the nominations received for membership of the Standing Committee, provided that in so doing the remaining term of membership for the elected replacement is at least two years. In cases where the remaining term of membership would be one year, no election shall be held and the seat shall re main vacant, unless it can be filled by an interested Member State 22 o f the Standing Committee having a two year term o f membership coming to a conclusion at the same time. In the event o f there be ing more than one such Member State, the selection shall be made bv drawing lots. A Member State serving for the remainder o f a term, whose total membership is less than three consecutive years. shall not be subject to the limitation provided for in Rule 14.2.33 o f the Rules o f Procedure of the Regional Committee. The Mem ber State whose seat has fallen or been declared vacant shall not be eligible for nomination to on-the Standing Committee until after the next closure of a Regional Committee session. Rule 3 The meetings o f the Standing Committee shall be private unless the Standing Committee decides otherwise. However, having in mind the substantive issues on its agenda, and taking into ac count the terms o f any relevant agreement, the Regional Director after consultation with the Chairperson o f the Standing Commit tee may invite representatives o f the United Nations and o f other intergovernmental organizations with which the Organization has established relations to participate without vote in the delibera tions o f meetings o f the Standing Committee. Likewise, a Member State, Associate Member or non- Member State, where an agenda item is o f particular specific concern to it, may be invited by the Regional Director to desig nate a representative who shall have the right to participate with out vote in the deliberations on that agenda item. In such cases the cost o f representation shall normally be borne by that State or Associate Member. II. S ess io n s Rule 4 The Standing Committee shall hold not less than two sessions a year. The Standing Committee shall determine at each session the dates and places o f its next sessions. Each session will consist o f individual meetings of the Standing Committee. Notices convening the scheduled sessions o f the Standing Committee, together with the proposed agenda, shall normally be sent by the Regional Director not less than six weeks before the commencement o f each session, to the members o f representatives 23 of Member States having-re presentatives on the Standing Com mittee and to such United Nations and other international organi zations, Members States and Associate Members and non- Member States as may be invited to a meeting under Rule 3. Working papers shall normally be sent by the Regional Director not later than three weeks before the session. A summary report o f the m eetings sessions o f the Standing Committee held since the previous Regional Committee shall be given to the Regional Committee each year. Rule 5 5.1 The Standing Committee, after having consulted the Re gional Director, may also hold such additional meetings sessions as it sees fit, and to which others may be invited by the Regional Director to participate as provided in Rule 3. 5.2 The Regional Director shall also convene the Standing Committee at the joint request o f at least five members, addressed to him/her in writing and stating the reason for the request. In this case the Standing Committee shall be convened within thirty days following receipt of the request and the session shall be held at the Regional Office unless the Regional Director, in consultation with the Chairperson, determines otherwise. The agenda o f such a ses sion shall be limited to the question having necessitated that session. 5.3 If events occur requiring urgent action and specifically an early additional meeting session o f the Standing Committee, or alternatively a subdivision thereof, the Regional Director may, in consultation with the Chairperson, convene the Standing Com mittee, or a subdivision o f it, in a special session and shall fix the date and determine the place o f the session. III. A g e n d a Rule 6 The provisional agenda o f each session shall be drawn up by the Regional Director in consultation with the Chairperson. It shall be despatched with the notice o f convocation to be sent in accor dance with Rule 4 or 5 o f these Rules o f Procedure. 24 Rule 7 7.1 Except in the case o f sessions convened under Rule 5, the provisional agenda o f each session shall include, inter a lia : (a) aU items the inclusion o f which has been ordered by the Regional Committee, in a manner designed to ensure timely follow-up with respect to all such items in accordance with the relevant request o f the Regional Committee: (b) all items the inclusion o f which has been ordered by the Standing Committee at a previous session; (c) any item proposed by a member o f representative on the Standing Committee and accepted bv the Chairperson of the Standing Committee as bearing directly on the issues before the Standing Committee or otherwise being apposite under its statutory functions: (d) any item either proposed by a State Member State or Associate Member of the Region or arising from representations from other Organizations and accepted by the Chairperson o f the Standing Committee as bearing directly on the issues before the Standing Committee or otherwise being apposite under its statu tory functions; (e) any item proposed by the Regional Director. 7.2 Should the items on the agenda be too numerous to be completed in one session, the Standing Committee may convene extra sessions as appropriate. 7.3 Any proposal for the inclusion on the agenda o f any item under (c) and (d), fully documented as appropriate, shall reach the Regional Director not later than four weeks before the com mencement o f the session. Rule 8 Except in the case o f special sessions convened at the request o f the members o f the Standing Committee under Rule 5, the Regional Director may, in consultation with the Chairperson, in clude any question suitable for the agenda which may arise be tween the despatch o f the provisional agenda and the opening day o f the session in a supplementary agenda which the Standing Committee shall examine together with the provisional agenda. 25 IV. O f f ic e r s o f the S ta n d in g Com m ittee Rule 9 As specified in Rule 14.2.3-4 o f the Regional Committee’s Rules o f Procedure, the Deputy Executive President o f the Regional Committee shall be ex officio the Chairperson o f the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee itself shall elect a Vice- Chairperson from among its members each year at its first scheduled session. These officers shall hold office until their successors are elected. The Vice-Chairperson shall be eligible for re-election provided that his or her the normal term as-a -member o f membership o f the Member State for which he or she is a rep resentative in the Standing Committee continues for at least as long as the term o f office o f Vice-Chairperson. Rule 10 In addition to exercising such powers as are conferred upon him or her elsewhere by these Rules, the Chairperson shall declare the opening and closing o f each meeting o f the Standing Com mittee, shall direct the discussions, accord the right to speak, put questions, announce decisions and ensure the application o f these Rules. The Chairperson shall accord to speakers the right to speak in the order of their requests. Rule 11 If the Chairperson is unable to attend a session o f the Standing Committee, or is absent from a meeting or any part thereof, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside. If the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are both unable to attend, the Standing Committee shall elect a person to preside during the session or meeting. Rule 12 If the Chairperson resigns or for any reason is unable to complete his or her term of office, the Vice-Chairperson shall be Acting Chairperson for the purposes o f the Standing Committee until the next session o f the Regional Committee elects a new Executive Deputy President. The Standing Committee may elect another o f its members to be Acting Vice-Chairperson for the same period. If the Chairperson is unable to act in between sessions, the Vice-Chairperson shall act instead. 26 V. Subd iv is ions o f the S ta n d in g Com m ittee Rule 13 The Standing Committee may establish such subdivisions and ad hoc working groups (which might temporarily co-opt other ex perts as resource persons) as it may deem necessary for the study of, and report on, any item on its agenda. The Standing Committee shall review from time to time, and in any case once a year, the need to maintain any subdivision established under its authority. VI. S e c re ta r ia t Rule 14 The Regional Director shall be ex officio Secretary o f the Stand ing Committee and o f any subdivision thereof. He or she may delegate these functions. Rule 15 The Regional Director shall report to the Standing Committee on the technical, administrative, financial and policy implications, if any, o f all agenda items submitted to the Standing Committee. Rule 16 The Regional Director may at any time make either oral or writ ten statements concerning any question under consideration. The Regional Director may also at his or her discretion designate such senior staff o f the Regional Office as have technical and managerial responsibilities related to any question under consid eration to attend the Standing Committee and to speak to, and answer any points raised on, the said items o f business. Rule 17 The Secretariat shall prepare summary records o f the meetings to be distributed to the members as soon as possible after the close o f the meetings to which they relate. Members shall inform the secretariat in writing o f any corrections they wish to have made, within such period o f time as shall be indicated by the Regional Director, having regard to the circumstances. 27 Rule 18 All proposals for formal decisions, draft resolutions and other major recommendations to be submitted to the Regional Com mittee shall be communicated by the Regional Director to the members representatives o f the Member States o f the Standing Committee. All States-M emb&fs Member States and Associate M em bers o f the Regional Organization shall be sent an annual report on Standing Committee activities. VII. L a n g u ag e s Rule 19 Any member representative o f a Member State o f the Standing Committee, or invited representative o f another organization or o f a State M ember Member State or o f an Associate Member, or o f a non-Member State may speak in a language other than one o f the languages decided on for the conduct o f business. In this case he or she shall provide for interpretation from that language into the language(s) chosen for the session. Rule 20 All formal decisions, draft resolutions and other recommendations to be submitted to the Regional Committee, as well as finalized summary records of sessions o f the Standing Committee, shall subsequently be made available in all four working languages o f the Regional Committee. VIII. C o n d u c t o f business Rule 21 Six o f the m embers representatives o f Member States o f the Standing Committee, one o f whom may for this purpose be the Chairperson, shall constitute a quorum. 28 IX. V o t in g Rule 22 Each member representative o f a Member State of the Standing Committee, including the Chairperson, shall have one vote. Rule 23 The decisions o f the Standing Committee shall be made by a majority o f the memkere representatives present and voting. If the votes are equally divided on a matter the proposal shall be regarded as not adopted. X. Suspension a n d am endm ent o f Rules o f P ro ced u re Rule 24 Any o f these Rules may be suspended by the Standing Commit tee provided that at least forty-eight hours’ notice o f the proposal for such suspension has been given to the Chairperson and com municated by him or her to the members twenty-four hours be fore the meeting at which the proposal is to be submitted. If, however, on the advice o f the Chairperson the Standing Com mittee is unanimously in favour o f such a proposal, it may adopt it immediately and without notice. Rule 25 The Standing Committee may propose amendments or supplements to these Rules for approval by the Regional Committee as provided in Rule 14.2.4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee. The following Rules o f Procedure o f the Regional Committee shall apply mutatis mutandis to the proceedings o f the Standing Committee: Rules 23 to 37 inclusive on the Conduct o f business, Rules 39 to 46 inclusive on Voting. 29
Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) · Governing Bodies documents
Forty-ninth Regional Committee for Europe: Florence, 13 - 17 September 1999: report of the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee
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