REGIONAL COMMITTEE
Provisional Agenda item 6.1
Sixty-sixth Session SEARO, New Delhi, India 10–13 September 2013
SEA/RC66/21 23 July 2013
Special Programmes UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases: Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) – Report on attendance at JCB in 2013 The Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases Research (TDR) acts as the governing body of the Special Programme and is responsible for its overall policy and strategy. This paper describes the background and composition of the JCB TDR. At present, there are two Member States from the South-East Asia Region (India and Thailand) that are members of the JCB under paragraph 2.2.1. The Government of Indonesia is a member until 31 December 2013 and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a member until 31 December 2014 under paragraph 2.2.2 (selected by the WHO Regional Committee). All country members have valid membership up to 2013. From 1 January 2014, membership under paragraph 2.2.2 will be reduced to one member per region; therefore, no action needs to be taken by the Regional Committee.
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Definitions 1. The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) is a global programme of international technical cooperation initiated by WHO and cosponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank and WHO, and operates within a broad framework of intergovernmental and interagency cooperation and participation. The two interdependent objectives are developing improved tools for the control of tropical diseases and strengthening the research capability of affected countries themselves. 2. The TDR is governed by three bodies:
The Joint Coordinating Board (JCB); The Standing Committee; The Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC).
3.
The relevant governance documents are:
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); Resolutions of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board of WHO; Procedures for the Selection of Members of the Joint Coordinating Board.
4.
The Cooperating Parties are:
those governments contributing to Special Programme Resources; those governments providing technical and/or scientific support to the Special Programme; and those governments whose countries are directly affected by the diseases dealt with by the Special Programme; those intergovernmental and other non-profit making organizations contributing to Special Programme Resources or providing technical and/or scientific support to the Special Programme.
5.
WHO is the Executing Agency.
6. Special Programme Resources are the financial resources made available to the Special Programme by governments and organizations, through the Tropical Diseases Research Fund, an international fund administered by the Bank, the WHO Voluntary Fund for Health Promotion and other agency funds.
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Joint Coordinating Board Functions 7. The Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) shall, for the purpose of coordinating the interests and responsibilities of the parties cooperating in the Special Programme, have the following functions:
review and decide upon the planning and execution of the Special Programme. For this purpose it will keep itself informed of all aspects of the development of the Special Programme, and consider reports and recommendations submitted to it by the Standing Committee, the Executing Agency, and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC); approve the proposed plan of action and budget for the coming financial period, prepared by the Executing Agency and reviewed by the Standing Committee; review the proposals of the Standing Committee and approve arrangements for the financing of the Special Programme in that period; review the proposed longer-term plans of action and their financial implications; review the annual financial statements submitted by the Executing Agency, as well as the audit report thereon, submitted by the External Auditor of the Executing Agency; review periodic reports that evaluate the progress of the Special Programme towards the achievement of its objectives; endorse the proposals of the Executing Agency and the Standing Committee for STAC membership; consider such other matters relating to the Special Programme as may be referred to it by any Cooperating Party.
Composition 8. The JCB consists of 34 members. Its membership was earlier for a three-year period but those selected for membership from 2009 onwards will serve for a period of four years. The JCB members may be reappointed.
Twelve representatives from governments contributing to the Special Programme Resources, selected by the contributors to the Special Programme. Each such government representative shall serve as a representative of his or her government and may also serve as a representative of a constituency established by governments under this membership category. Each constituency will develop its own procedure to designate its representative to the Board. In the event a government intends to serve on the Board also as representative of a constituency, it shall indicate this in its application for membership, it being understood that each government participating in that
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constituency shall be entitled to rotate as the representative of that constituency at any session of the JCB. (Paragraph 2.2.1 of the MoU).
Twelve government representatives selected by the WHO regional committees from among those countries directly affected by the diseases dealt with by the Special Programme, or from among those providing technical or scientific support to the Special Programme. (Paragraph 2.2.2 of the MoU). From 1 January 2014, membership under paragraph 2.2.2 will be reduced to six members (one per WHO region). Six members, designated by the JCB itself, from among the remaining Cooperating Parties. (Paragraph 2.2.3 of the MoU). The four (UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank and WHO) agencies that comprise the Standing Committee.
9. Members of the JCB shall serve for a period of four years and may be reappointed. Other Cooperating Parties may, at their request, be represented as observers upon approval by the JCB.
Membership of the JCB from the South-East Asia Region 10. At present, the following four Member States from the South-East Asia Region are members of the JCB: Member State India* Thailand* Period 2010–2013 2010–2013 Selected by TDR contributors TDR contributors Paragraph of MoU 2.2.1 2.2.1 Remarks Upon completion of the term, TDR Secretariat re-elected these governments from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. No action is required by South-East Region. The number of members will be reduced to six (one per region). Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is already a member up until 31 December 2014.
Indonesia Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
2010–2013 2011–2014
Regional Committee Regional Committee
2.2.2 2.2.2
*Joint constituency
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Standing Committee Composition and functions 11. The Standing Committee shall comprise the cosponsors, namely UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank and WHO. It shall have the following functions:
review the plan of action and budget for the coming financial period, as prepared by the Executing Agency, in time for presentation to the JCB not less than 45 days before the JCB's annual session; take proposals to the JCB for financing of the Special Programme for the coming financial period; approve reallocation of resources between programme areas and Scientific Working Groups of the Special Programme during a financial period, upon the recommendation of STAC and the Executing Agency, and report such reallocations to the JCB; examine the reports submitted to the Executing Agency by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) and the Executing Agency's comments; make the necessary observations thereon, and transmit these, with comments as appropriate, to the JCB; review particular aspects of the Special Programme, including those that may be referred to it by the JCB, and present findings and recommendations in the form of reports to the JCB; inform the JCB, as required, regarding Special Programme matters of interest to the JCB.
Information on the Thirty-sixth JCB meeting
A summary report of the attendance of JCB members at the Thirty-sixth session of the TDR Joint Coordinating Board is attached, as Annex 2. The Thirty-sixth session of the TDR Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) was held at WHO headquarters, Geneva, from 17 to 19 June 2013. The Member Governments in 2013 are: India, Indonesia, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and Thailand. Paragraph 2.2.1 of the Memorandum of Understanding (governments selected by the contributors to the Special Programme resources) . –
From the South-East Asia Region, the governments of India and Thailand are members until 31 December 2013 under 2.2.1. JCB re-elected these two governments from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017.
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Paragraph 2.2.2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (governments selected by the WHO Regional Committee) –
The Government of Indonesia is a member until 31 December 2013 and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a member until 31 December 2014 under paragraph 2.2.2. No action is required this year, since membership under paragraph 2.2.2 will be reduced to six (one per region) from 1 January 2014, and Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a member under this constituency until 31 December 2014.
Paragraph 2.2.3 of the Memorandum of Understanding (members selected by the JCB itself from among the remaining Cooperating Parties) –
No government from the South-East Asia Region is a member under paragraph 2.2.3.
Membership of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) (*) 12. The JCB endorsed the proposed membership of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). Dr V M Katoch, Director-General, ICMR, Secretary, Department of Health Research, India, was selected as member of STAC for the period 2010–2013.
Dates and venues of future JCB sessions 13. At its Thirty-sixth session, the JCB Board decided to hold its Thirty-seventh and Thirtyeighth sessions at Geneva from 23 to 25 June 2014 and 22 to 24 June 2015, respectively.
Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) Functions 14. The STAC shall have the following functions:
review, from a scientific and technical standpoint, the content, scope and dimensions of the Special Programme, including the diseases covered and approaches to be adopted; recommend priorities within the Special Programme, including the establishment and disestablishment of Scientific Working Groups, and all scientific and technical activities related to the Programme; provide the JCB and the Executing Agency with a continuous independent evaluation of the scientific and technical aspects of all activities of the Special Programme.
15. For these purposes the STAC may propose and present for consideration such technical documents and recommendations as it may deem appropriate.
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Composition 16. The STAC shall comprise 21 scientists and other technical personnel who will serve in their personal capacities to represent the broad range of biomedical and other disciplines required for Special Programme activities. Members of STAC, including the Chairman, will be selected on the basis of scientific or technical competence by the Executing Agency, in consultation with the Standing Committee and with the endorsement of the JCB.
Members of the STAC, including the Chairman, shall be appointed to serve for a period of two years, and will be eligible for reappointment. To maintain continuity of membership, the expiration of the initial terms of office of members of STAC will be staggered.
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Annex 1
UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) Guidelines for JCB representatives selected by the WHO regional committees Background issues 1. This document is intended to provide guidelines for those selected by the regional committees for JCB membership. 2. Regional representatives are encouraged to participate proactively in discussions at the JCB. Representatives from disease-endemic countries and other regional representatives can contribute to TDR; in order to do this they should play an active role during JCB sessions. 3. To facilitate participation of the regional representatives at JCB, they need to be briefed about TDR before arriving for their first JCB session. A regional representative should be well versed not only with his/her country's relationship with TDR but also know about TDR activities in the region. A good briefing should enable representatives to participate in and contribute to discussions at the JCB and benefit the cause of TDR. 4. The TDR Secretariat and the regional offices will assist with this briefing.
Guidelines on the role of representatives
Represent both the country and the region at the JCB, recognizing the importance of voicing the needs of the country, the region and disease-endemic countries in the Board's deliberations. Familiarization with the work of TDR and regional issues by: – – – –
Reading background information provided by the Programme and/or the Regional Office – the TDR website is www.who.int/tdr. Making contact with (or visiting) current and/or past representatives who have attended JCB sessions. Making contact with (or visiting) key national or neighbouring country scientists who are familiar with the work of TDR (details to be provided by TDR). Making contact with (or visiting) the Regional Office.
Secure national briefing before the JCB session and provide feedback to the government after the JCB session.
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Secure briefing from the Regional Office before the JCB session and provide feedback to the Regional Office after the JCB session, with possible attendance at the Regional Committee meeting, at TDR's expense if appropriate. Participate in the following meetings just prior to the JCB meeting: – –
The JCB briefing meeting. The meeting of regional representatives, aimed primarily at disease-endemic countries.
Participate in the virtual network of regional representatives. Keep JCB dates free to ensure attendance for the whole term of office if nominated by the government for the full period – if not nominated for the full period or if changes occur, brief the successor. Ensure availability of suitable alternates in case of absence and brief them thoroughly. At the end of the term of office, be prepared to provide briefing to the next regional representative.
5.
It is recommended that all JCB representatives should possess the following qualifications:
Expertise in the field of one or more of the communicable diseases dealt with by TDR, preferably from the research side or with good knowledge of research issues. Experience, preferably as a research coordinator in or linked to the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Science and Technology, with experience in the overall coordination of national health research activities and collaboration with the Regional Office and TDR. Fluency in English or French, the working languages of WHO as the Executing Agency for TDR. Familiarity with the working of WHO or other UN specialized agencies and past experience related to their governing body and/or international scientific meetings. Knowledge of the work of TDR or willingness to rapidly acquire such knowledge. Cooperating Parties participating as observers should preferably also meet the abovementioned criteria.
Annex 2
Past and present representatives to JCB from the South-East Asia Region
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Annex 3
Summary report of the attendance of JCB members at the Thirty-sixth session of the Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) Geneva, Switzerland, 17–19 June 2013 Forty three JCB members from all regions of WHO, co-funding agencies, partners and institutions attended the meeting. The JCB meeting was attended by the following members from the WHO South-East Asia Region: Dr K.K. Singh from India; Dr Trihono and Mr Roy Rolliansyah Soemirat from Indonesia; and, Dr Bimal Dhakal from Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Mr Md. Alimuzzaman from Bangladesh and Dr Htun Naing Oo from Myanmar attended the meeting as observers. The JCB meeting reviewed the proposals submitted by the Secretariat and provided guidelines and recommendations. The following are the major issues that were discussed: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Statutory business Report of the Chair and STAC World Health Assembly resolution WHA.22 on follow-up of the CEWG Report TDR governance TDR progress since the Thirty-fifth session of the JCB Financial matters Programme performance Programme budget and workplan 2014–2015 STAC membership approval
(10) JCB membership approval (11) STAC membership. The Thirty-sixth session of the JCB made the following key recommendations, on: World Health Assembly resolution WHA.22 on follow up of the CEWG Report:
JCB agreed to establish a subcommittee of JCB members to follow up on the possible TDR engagement.
TDR governance
JCB approved various proposed revisions in the TDR Memorandum of Understanding.
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JCB requested that terms of reference for JCB members and the standard operating procedures of the Standing Committee be revised based on comments from JCB and circulated electronically for approval by the JCB by end of July 2013. TDR should submit a proposal on how to reduce the workload of organizing JCB meetings and communicating with JCB in between meetings.
TDR progress since the Thirty-fifth session of the JCB
JCB recommended increasing the focus on gender equity by enlisting more women on advisory committees and by training a higher proportion of women researchers. TDR Director's report was endorsed.
Financial matters
Endorsement of the financial report as presented. Decision by JCB to accept the WHO audit in place of TDR external audit.
Programme performance
JCB accepted the 2012 TDR Results Report and Risk Management Plan. JCB endorsed the 2013 revision of the Performance Assessment Framework.
Programme budget and workplan 2014–2015
JCB endorsed TDR's 2014–2015 Programme Budget and workplan. The Secretariat should develop standard operating procedures for prioritization and selection of projects and areas of activity.
STAC membership approval
JCB endorsed the proposed STAC membership. The Secretariat should develop standard operating procedures for prioritization and selection of projects and areas of activity by STAC and special advisory groups.
JCB membership approval
Under paragraph 2.2.1, JCB elected the India and Thailand governments and constituencies for membership from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. Under paragraph 2.2.2 – regional representatives – membership approval is not required in 2013 as the number of members under this paragraph will be reduced to six (one per region) from 1 January 2014. The implementation of the strategy should be seen as an opportunity to rethink and strengthen the framework of interaction between TDR's governing bodies (JCB, STAC, Standing Committee).
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TDR should carefully consider its implementation capacity with reduced staffing (challenging, yet achievable). TDR should make use of networks and partnerships, including with its cosponsors, to work in a more coordinating and facilitating role, with streamlined processes for a reduced staff force. The TDR cosponsors are encouraged to financially support joint activities with TDR (e.g. TDR/UNICEF implementation research). The TDR Director should engage in a high-level dialogue with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to explore collaboration aimed at promoting evidencebased interventions.
At its Thirty-sixth session, the JCB Board decided to hold its Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth sessions at Geneva from 23 to 25 June 2014 and 22 to 24 June 2015, respectively.