EXECUTIVE BOARD 120th Session Geneva, 22-30 January 2007
EB120/1(annotated) 27 November 2006
Provisional agenda (annotated) 1. 2. 3. Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda Report of the Director-General Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board
The Board will receive at the opening of its session the report of the fifth meeting of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee which is to be held during the preceding week.
4.
Technical and health matters 4.1 Poliomyelitis: mechanism for management of potential risks to eradication
The report summarizes progress towards eradication of poliomyelitis: just four countries remain endemic. Steps are outlined for interrupting transmission in these countries, reducing importations by immunizing travellers, and initiating the process for minimizing risk in the post-eradication era.
4.2
Malaria, including proposal for establishment of World Malaria Day
The report reviews malaria control activities since the beginning of 2006, including recent developments such as revised strategic directions and new mechanisms for the integration of intervention and country support between the three levels of the Organization. The proposal to establish a world malaria day is included at the request of a Member State.
4.3
Tuberculosis control: progress and long-term planning
Item proposed by two Member States. The document reports on the progress towards reaching the global tuberculosis targets of 70% case detection and 85% treatment success specified in resolution WHA58.14. It also outlines key planning steps to achieve the international targets for tuberculosis control by 2015.
4.4
Avian and pandemic influenza: developments, response and follow up, and application of the International Health Regulations (2005)
Item proposed by two Member States. The report notes the persisting threat of an influenza pandemic, the incidence of sporadic human cases of avian influenza, with high mortality, and the difficulties encountered in developing an effective vaccine. It also highlights the need for sharing influenza virus strains and genetic sequence information. Progress made in the voluntary application of the International Health Regulations (2005) as related to the risk posed by avian influenza and pandemic influenza is reported in a separate document.
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4.5
Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy
Item proposed by a Member State. The report describes progress made in implementing the global strategy for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, but notes that the global burden of chronic, noncommunicable diseases continues to grow, highlighting the need for strengthened, integrated, and comprehensive action.
4.6
Oral health: action plan for promotion and integrated disease prevention
Item proposed by a Member State. The report provides information on global strategies for, and approaches to, the control of oral diseases and the continuous improvement of oral health, especially among disadvantaged population groups, and notes the cost effectiveness of public health programmes based on integrated disease prevention and health promotion.
4.7
Health systems
Item proposed by three Member States. The document reviews progress made in defining WHO’s role in support of national health systems in a changing world, one in which they have to respond to multiple challenges, including assuring access to, and quality of, care, and dealing with unforeseen emergencies and new threats. It identifies four pillars for a more effective response by the Secretariat.
4.8
Gender, women and health: draft strategy
The document outlines Organization-wide strategic directions for integrating gender-related analysis and action into the work of WHO, which include building capacity, promoting use of sex-disaggregated data, and establishing institutional accountability. It also defines the roles of the different stakeholders.
4.9
Progress in the rational use of medicines, including better medicines for children
After debate at its 118th session, the Executive Board agreed to defer consideration of a draft resolution on the rational use of medicine to its 120th session. The report retains the core elements of the previous report, provides additional information as requested, and submits a draft resolution that takes account of the Board’s debate. As proposed by a Member State, a separate document reports on improving access to essential medicines for children. After an expert consultation (August 2006), the Secretariat is preparing a programme of work in this area.
4.10 Workers’ health: draft global plan of action Item proposed by two Member States. The plan follows up WHO’s global strategy on occupational health for all endorsed by resolution WHA49.12. It provides a framework for concerted actions to improve the health of workers, in particular with regard to policy instruments, protection and promotion of health at work, and access to occupational health services.
4.11 eHealth: standardized terminology After debate at its 118th session, the Executive Board agreed to reconsider this item at its 120th session. The report explores WHO’s role in providing standardized clinical terminologies as an international public good. Such terminologies are emerging as a significant component of health information systems, that contributes to supporting interoperability of systems across medical domains and finding technological solutions that take account of linguistic differences.
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4.12 Draft resolutions deferred from the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly and the 118th session of the Executive Board • Smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks At its eighth meeting, the Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research considered outcomes of research over the past year using live variola virus. It recommended that WHO should establish an informal virtual network dedicated to the diagnosis of orthopoxviruses, and that the process to review proposals for research using the live virus should be improved.
• Health promotion in a globalized world The report highlights efforts under way to strengthen health promotion at local, national and international levels in order to tackle major health risks through intersectoral action and to address the underlying determinants of health. Such work contributes to achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals and implementing the actions set out in the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalized World.
• Essential health technologies The report stresses the potential for strengthening health systems through use of essential health technologies, and the contribution of these technologies to achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals. Clear information on health technologies is needed that will guide national and international efforts in response to public-health priorities and emergencies.
• WHO’s role and responsibilities in health research The document summarizes a position paper prepared on WHO’s role and responsibilities in health research, in response to resolution WHA58.34.
4.13 Contribution of traditional medicine to public health: coca leaf Item proposed by a Member State. Appropriate use of plant products for medical purposes, including those containing psychoactive substances, is significant for public health, and their safety and efficacy is a key regulatory requirement for traditional medicine programmes. The coca leaf, as the plant from which cocaine can be extracted, is included in the list of narcotic drugs under international control. Evidence of its potential benefits for health is still to be compiled.
5.
Programme and budget matters Draft Medium-term strategic plan, including proposed programme budget 2008–2009 • Draft Medium-term strategic plan, 2008–2013 As from the biennium 2008–2009, a strategic plan, encompassing three biennial budget periods, is being incorporated into WHO’s results-based management framework.
• Proposed programme budget 2008–2009 The Director-General’s budget proposals for the biennium 2008–2009 are included in the Medium-term strategic plan.
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• Real estate: draft capital master plan The document sets out a strategic and integrated approach to managing and maintaining the Organization’s buildings and premises. It details the Organization’s global needs for renovation, major maintenance, construction and security for 2008–2017, outlines a mechanism to help prioritize investment needs, and identifies possibilities for long-term financing.
6.
Financial matters 6.1 Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Members in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution
The report sets out the payment status of Member States and Associate Members in respect of currentyear contributions to the effective working budget of the Organization. It also provides an update on the Member States that are in arrears of contributions to an extent that their voting rights at the Health Assembly might be suspended.
6.2
Scale of assessments 2008-2009
The latest available United Nations scale of assessments is that to be adopted for the period 2007–2008. It is therefore proposed that this United Nations scale should be used by WHO for the financial period 2008–2009.
6.3
Amendments to the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules
In order to bring WHO into line with recognized best practices in public-sector financial accounting, it is proposed to adopt, as of 1 January 2008, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards. They would replace the United Nations Accounting Standards, which apply only to the United Nations. Ensuing amendments to WHO’s Financial Regulations and Financial Rules, along with other minor changes, are also proposed.
7.
Staffing matters 7.1 Appointment of the Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
The document contains the Regional Committee’s proposal to the Board for appointment of the Regional Director.
7.2
Human resources: annual report
The preview as at 31 October 2006 of the Organization’s staffing profile provides data on, inter alia, distribution of staff by gender, geographical representation, age, length of service and turnover of staff. The document also highlights progress in a number of key areas to facilitate the management of human resources within the Organization. The annual report containing data as at 31 December 2006 will be submitted to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly.
7.3
Report of the International Civil Service Commission
The annual report of the International Civil Service Commission is submitted for the Board’s information in accordance with Article 17 of the Commission’s Statutes. The document summarizes the main elements of the Commission’s report.
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7.4
Confirmation of approval by the United Nations General Assembly of the International Civil Service Commission’s general framework, including implementation and cost of amendments to the Staff Rules
The report deals with consideration by the United Nations General Assembly of the general framework for the International Civil Service Commission. It provides information on implementation and cost implications of contract reform, and seeks confirmation that related amendments to the Staff Rules may be effective as of 1 July 2007, rather than of 1 January 2007.
7.5
Confirmation of amendments to the Staff Rules
Amendments to the Staff Rules made by the Director-General are submitted for confirmation by the Board in accordance with Staff Regulation 12.2.
7.6 8.
Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations
Management matters 8.1 Director-General and Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization: review of matters arising from the special and 118th sessions of the Executive Board
As requested by the Executive Board at its special session and 118th session, the report reviews matters related to the position of Deputy Director-General, geographical rotation of the position of DirectorGeneral, and other issues related to the process of nomination of the Director-General.
8.2
WHO and reform of the United Nations system
The 2005 World Summit Outcome and the report of the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and the Environment have provided new impetus for reform of the United Nations system. The present report provides an overview of ways in which WHO could continue to contribute actively to reform efforts.
8.3
Reports of committees of the Executive Board • Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations
During its session the Board will receive the report of the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations, which contains, inter alia, the recommendations of the Committee on requests from organizations for admission into official relations with WHO, and the review of collaboration between WHO and one third of the organizations in official relations during the period 2004–2006.
• Foundations and awards The Board will review the reports of the selection panels of the prizes to be awarded in 2007 by the Léon Bernard Foundation, the Ihsan Dogramaci Family Health Foundation, the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation and the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation.
8.4
Provisional agenda of the Sixtieth World Health Assembly and date and place of the 121st session of the Executive Board
The document includes the provisional daily timetable of the Sixtieth World Health Assembly.
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9.
Matters for information 9.1 Expert committees and study groups
In compliance with Regulation 4.23 of the Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees, the Director-General submits to the Board for its consideration her report on meetings of expert committees and study groups, including a summary of the recommendations contained in the reports of expert committees, and her observations on their significance for public health policies and implications for the Organization’s programmes. In compliance with Regulation 2.2 of the Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees, the addendum informs the Board of the establishment or disestablishment of expert advisory panels and their membership as at December 2006, and lists the meetings of expert committees convened during the year.
9.2
Progress reports A. B. Strengthening active and healthy ageing (resolution WHA58.16) Commission on Social Determinants of Health An addendum provides information on empowering local communities in the health field and the role of local leaders.
C. D. E.
Public-health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol (resolution WHA58.26) Emergency preparedness and response (resolution WHA59.22) Implementation by WHO of the recommendations of the Global Task Team on Improving AIDS Coordination among Multilateral Institutions and International Donors Public health, innovation, and intellectual property: towards a global strategy and plan of action World report on violence and health: implementation of recommendations Health Metrics Network Cancer prevention and control (resolution WHA58.22): cervical cancer Item proposed by a Member State.
F.
G. H. I.
J. 10.
Reducing global measles mortality
Closure of the session
Note. At their consultation with the Acting Director-General on 7 November 2006, convened in accordance with Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board, the Officers of the Board made the following recommendations with regard to:
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1.
Draft provisional agenda transmitted to Member States for comment on 28 June 2006:
• to refer to the appropriate regional committee’s agenda item 4.3, Nipah virus infection • to refer to the fifth session of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee the following items: 5.1 Programme budget 2004–2005: performance assessment 5.2 Implementation of the Programme budget 2006–2007: interim report 8.5 Reports of the Joint Inspection Unit
• Previous reports: implementation of recommendations • Recent reports The Committee will report to the Board on its deliberation of the above items under Provisional agenda item 3:
• to transfer agenda item 4.6, Commission on Social Determinants of Health: progress report, from “Technical and health matters” to “Matters for information”
• to transfer agenda item 9.2B, Application of the International Health Regulations (2005), from “Matters for information” to “Technical and health matters”
• to transfer agenda item 8.1, Appointment of the Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, from “Management matters” to “Staffing matters”
• to invert the order of “Management matters” and “Staffing matters” 2. Items proposed by Member States in accordance with Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board:
• to defer to the 122nd session of the Board: Health of migrants
• to refer to the appropriate regional committees: Plans and strategies for supporting the health system in Iraq through financing of a health insurance scheme and fees for service Control of chikungunya
• to exclude: Challenges with respect to the health workforce Reducing poverty and poverty-related diseases Youth and adolescent health Global strategy to reduce mortality and disability due to neural tube defects Poisoning by venomous bites and stings Proposal for establishment of an International HIV-testing Day for one or more of the following reasons: the item was not a global public-health issue, was not a new issue, or did not represent a significant public-health burden.
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