EXECUTIVE BOARD 124th Session Agenda item 7.3
EB124/25 26 January 2009
Reports of committees of the Executive Board Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations
1. In accordance with the Principles governing relations between the World Health Organization and nongovernmental organizations,1 the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations2 met on 20 January 2009. The Board is invited to consider the proposed draft resolution and decision set out in paragraph 26 below.
I.
APPLICATION OF A NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION FOR ADMISSION INTO OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO, AND REVIEW OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN PROVISIONAL OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO (Restricted documents EB124/NGO/1–5)3
2. The Committee considered the application from the International Medical Corps.4 The Committee’s task was to evaluate the merits of the application and determine whether, in its view, the nongovernmental organization met the criteria for admission into official relations as set out in paragraph 3 of the above-mentioned Principles. 3. Based on the information provided, and supplementary information from the Secretariat, the Committee concluded that the nongovernmental organization met the criteria for admission into official relations and recommended that the International Medical Corps be admitted into official relations with WHO. 4. Nongovernmental organizations admitted into provisional official relations with WHO under the terms of the Executive Board’s decision EB120(3)5 were reviewed. The decision established a facility that applied to nongovernmental organizations “that request official relations solely, or also, for the purpose of participating in the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property”. It also required the Executive Board to review such 1
Basic documents, 46th ed., Geneva, World Health Organization, 2007.
2 Members of the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations: Dr Ren Minghui (China), Dr A.J. Mohamed (Oman), Mr C. Vallejos (Peru), Dr J.A.N. dos Ramos (Sao Tome and Principe), Dr B. Voljč, Chairman (Slovenia). 3 4 5
Transmitted to Executive Board members under cover of a letter numbered L/08.26, dated 20 November 2008. Restricted document EB124/NGO/1. Document EB119/2006–EB120/2007/REC/1.
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nongovernmental organizations “… for the purpose of confirming or terminating such relations in accordance with normal procedures”. In this connection, the Committee noted that the Intergovernmental Working Group had completed its work. 5. The nongovernmental organizations concerned were: the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative; The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, Inc.; Africa Fighting Malaria International, Inc.; and Eucomed.1 The Committee noted, inter alia, that these nongovernmental organizations had been admitted into provisional official relations with WHO solely for the purpose of participating in the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property. 6. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend that the Board confirm the provisional official relations status of the nongovernmental organizations referred to in paragraph 5 above; and that it note that the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property had completed its work and that, therefore, no further action was required by the Board. 7. In the case of Eucomed it was noted that, in addition to its admission into provisional official relations with WHO solely for the purpose of participating in the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, Eucomed had applied for admission into official relations with WHO. In the absence of an agreed workplan with Eucomed, the Committee recommended that the Board postpone consideration of the application from the nongovernmental organization.
II.
REVIEW OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO (Restricted document EB124/NGO/WP/1)
8. The Committee considered reports concerning relations with 89 nongovernmental organizations, including nongovernmental organizations referred to in decision EB122(1).2 Where appropriate, the information derived from reports submitted by the nongovernmental organizations, together with an evaluation made by officers in the Secretariat with responsibility for the relations. Such an evaluation takes into consideration the fact that, in accordance with paragraph 4.5 of the Principles, “a plan for collaboration based on mutually agreed objectives and outlining activities … shall form the basis of official relations …”. A list of the nongovernmental organizations reviewed is attached at Annex. 9. The Committee was pleased to note the collaboration between WHO and the 56 nongovernmental organizations that are listed in the Annex with an asterisk after their name. It recommended that the Board note with appreciation the contributions of these nongovernmental organizations to the achievement of WHO’s objectives and, in recognition of their continuing support, maintain them in official relations with WHO. 10. The Committee then noted the report from the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering. Extensive collaborative activities had been successfully completed during the period under review in the Region of the Americas, a workplan had been agreed with PAHO to continue collaboration. The Committee understood that the collaboration was reviewed regularly by
1 2
Respectively, restricted documents EB124/NGO/2, EB124/NGO/3, EB124/NGO/4, and EB124/NGO/5. See document EB122/2008/REC/1.
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the Executive Committee of PAHO, and the latter had maintained the Association in official relations with PAHO. According to the information available, collaboration at the global level had not been pursued during the period under review and there were no plans to pursue agreement on a plan for collaboration for the future. 11. Although it recognized the value of the relationship, bearing in mind its regional nature and that a global plan for collaboration was not expected, the Committee recommended that official relations with the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering at the global level be discontinued. The Committee further recommended that, when informing the Association of the Board’s decision, the Director-General thank the Association for its continuing collaboration with WHO at the regional level. 12. The report from the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations was reviewed. Collaboration concerned the development of a health information product dealing with zoonoses control and other health protection issues targeted for children. The Association had expressed an interest in the potential for collaboration with WHO. For its part, WHO did not plan to continue collaboration in the field of zoonoses control or explore the possibility of a plan for collaboration in the other fields proposed by the Association. In view of this the Committee recommended that official relations be discontinued with the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations. 13. The Committee noted that, for a variety of reasons, reports from a number of nongovernmental organizations remained outstanding, and noted that some of the nongovernmental organizations were known to be undertaking valuable work. For the future, the Committee wondered if there were not some means to facilitate a timely review. 14. The Committee recommended that the Board defer until its 126th session the review of the relations with the following 23 nongovernmental organizations: Association of the Institutes and Schools of Tropical Medicine in Europe; CropLife International; Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide, Inc.; FDI World Dental Federation; Helen Keller International; International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness; International Association for Dental Research; International Association of Hydatid Disease; International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics; International Commission on Radiological Protection; International Diabetes Federation; International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies; International Leprosy Association; International Network on Children’s Health, Environment and Safety; International Organization against Trachoma; International Solid Waste Association; International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; International Union of Immunological Societies; International Union of Toxicology; ORBIS International; World Blind Union; and the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy. 15. Reports concerning the remaining nongovernmental organizations referred to in paragraphs 3 and 5 of decision EB122(1)1 were then considered by the Committee. The advantages and disadvantages of deferring the review of a nongovernmental organization, sometimes for more than one year, were considered. It was noted that the support of nongovernmental organizations was essential and, in view of this, a decision to suspend relations would have significant consequences.
1
See document EB122/2008/REC/1.
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16. According to the information provided, for various reasons it had not been possible to provide a report on collaboration between Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum and WHO since 2005. However, both parties were interested in seeking agreement on a plan for collaboration. The Committee decided to recommend that the Board maintain the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum in official relations with WHO until the 126th session of the Executive Board and to request that a report on the relations and results of exchanges to agree a threeyear plan for collaboration should be submitted to the Board for its consideration. 17. The Committee noted that reports from the International Association for Adolescent Health, International Union of Psychological Science and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts remained outstanding and recommended that the Board should defer the review of relations with those nongovernmental originations a further year and that, when reiterating the request for their reports, the Board should inform the three organizations that, should a response not be forthcoming in time for consideration by the Executive Board at its 126th session, official relations would be discontinued. 18. Concerning the International League Against Epilepsy, and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, the Committee noted that responses to requests for clarification concerning the reports for the period 2005–2007 were pending and agreed to recommend that the review of relations with the two nongovernmental organizations be deferred until the 126th session of the Executive Board. 19. In accordance with paragraph 6 of decision EB122(1),1 a number of nongovernmental organizations had been invited to submit reports on their collaboration with WHO and informed that, should the reports not be received in time for review by the 124th session of the Board, official relations would be discontinued. 20. Although both the International Society of Hematology and the International Union of Microbiological Societies had responded to the invitations, for varying reasons, neither had been in a position to report on collaboration. The Committee understood that informal enquiries suggested that since the last review of these organizations, conducted by the Board at its 113th session in 2004, collaboration had lapsed. However, in the absence of more detailed information from the two organizations, it would be difficult to determine the extent of relations. The Committee also noted that WHO was interested in the work of the organizations and considered that there was every possibility that the relations could be revitalized. The Committee therefore recommended that the Board maintain the two organizations in official relations with WHO, and request them to submit reports on the status of the relations, including efforts to agree plans for collaboration, for consideration by the Board at its 126th session.
1
See document EB122/2008/REC/1.
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III
OTHER BUSINESS
Participation of nongovernmental organizations in intergovernmental meetings convened by a decision of the WHO governing bodies. 21. In accordance with a request made at the 123rd session of the Executive Board,1 the Committee considered information concerning the way in which nongovernmental organizations participated in intergovernmental meetings and an incident at the resumed second session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, which had been held in Geneva between 28 April and 3 May 2008. 22. The Committee noted that paragraph 6 of the Principles governing relations between the nongovernmental organizations and WHO,2 inter alia, entitled nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO to be invited to and, with certain conditions, participate in intergovernmental meetings. Note was also made that, in addition, resolutions that convened or established an intergovernmental body might also delineate the organizations to be invited, including nongovernmental organizations and that such bodies might also decide upon the modalities of participation. 23. In considering the information provided concerning the procedures used to facilitate participation of nongovernmental organizations at the Health Assembly and Executive Board, the Committee noted that the procedures only concerned public sessions. In the case of the Working Group, in addition to adopting procedures similar to those used at meetings of WHO’s governing bodies, it noted that nongovernmental organizations could be invited to private meetings of regional or similar groups that were separate from meetings of the Working Group, at the discretion of the Member States involved. 24. The Committee noted that it was within the above-mentioned context that representatives of nongovernmental organizations had been invited to a private, informal coordination meeting of a regional group of Member States, during which one representative of a nongovernmental organization had circulated materials without authorization. Apparently the representative had acted without the knowledge of the nongovernmental organization. The nongovernmental organization had expressed sincere regret over the incident, had taken immediate action to rectify the situation and had presented its excuses at a public session of the Intergovernmental Working Group, as well as apologizing directly to the parties concerned. 25. The Committee noted the information concerning participation and was of the view that, with regard to the incident, there had been an error of judgement.
1 2
See document EB123/2008/REC/1, summary record of the first meeting. Basic documents, 46th ed., Geneva, World Health Organization, 2007.
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IV 26.
ACTION BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Draft resolution The Executive Board, Having examined the report of its Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations,1 1. DECIDES to admit into official relations with WHO the International Medical Corps;
2. CONFIRMS, in accordance with decision EB120(3), the status of provisional official relations with WHO, solely for the purpose of participating in the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, of the following nongovernmental organizations: International AIDS Vaccine Initiative; The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, Inc.; Africa Fighting Malaria International, Inc.; and Eucomed; 3. NOTES that the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property has completed its work and, therefore, no further action is required with respect to the provisional official relations status of the nongovernmental organizations listed in paragraph 2 of this resolution; 4. NOTES that, in addition to its admission into provisional official relations with WHO solely for the purpose of participating in the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, Eucomed has requested admission into official relations with WHO; 5. DECIDES, in the absence of an agreed workplan, to postpone the consideration of the application of Eucomed for admission into official relations with WHO; 6. DECIDES to discontinue official relations with the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering and the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations. 27. Draft decision on the review of nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO. The Executive Board, Having considered the report of its Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations1 concerning the review of one third of the nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO, and follow-up to decision EB122(1), reached the decisions set out below.
1
Document EB124/25.
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Noting with appreciation their collaboration with WHO and commending the continuing dedication to the work of WHO, the Board decided to maintain in official relations with WHO the nongovernmental organizations whose names are followed by an asterisk in the Annex to the report. Noting that reports had not been received, or had been received too late to be included in the review, or that further information was required, the Board decided to defer until its 126th session the review of relations with the following 25 nongovernmental organizations: Association of the Institutes and Schools of Tropical Medicine in Europe; CropLife International; Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide Inc.; FDI World Dental Federation; Helen Keller International; International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness; International Association for Dental Research; International Association of Hydatid Disease; International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics; International Commission on Radiological Protection; International Diabetes Federation; International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies; International League against Epilepsy; International Leprosy Association; International Network on Children’s Health, Environment and Safety; International Organization against Trachoma; International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; International Solid Waste Association; International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; International Union of Immunological Societies; International Union of Toxicology; ORBIS International; World Blind Union; and the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy. Noting the reports from Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum, International Society of Hematology, and the International Union of Microbiological Societies, and taking into consideration expectations of the resumption of mutually agreed collaboration, the Board decided to defer the review of relations with these nongovernmental organizations for an additional year and to request each organization to submit a report on its relations with WHO and on the results of exchanges to agree collaboration plans for consideration by the Executive Board at its 126th session. Noting that reports of collaboration remained outstanding from the International Association for Adolescent Health, the International Union of Psychological Science, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the Board decided to defer the review of their relations for a further year and requested that the nongovernmental organizations be informed that, should the reports not be forthcoming for consideration by the Executive Board at its 126th session, their official relations would be discontinued. The Board noted the report on participation of nongovernmental organizations in intergovernmental meetings convened by a decision of WHO governing bodies.
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ANNEX LIST OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AT ITS 124TH SESSION
Aga Khan Foundation* (2004–2006) Alzheimer’s Disease International* (2005–2007) Association of the Institutes and Schools of Tropical Medicine in Europe CBM1* Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum Commonwealth Association for Mental Handicap and Developmental Disabilities* (2005–2007) CropLife International Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide, Inc. European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals* Family Health International* (2005–2007) FDI World Dental Federation Helen Keller International HelpAge International* (2005–2007) Inclusion International* (2005–2007) Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children* (2005–2007) Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness International Air Transport Association* International Association for Adolescent Health International Association for Dental Research International Association for Suicide Prevention* (2005–2007) International Association for the Study of Pain* International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations International Association of Hydatid Disease International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research2* International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection* International Commission on Radiological Protection International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders* (2005–2007) International Council for Ophthalmology3* International Diabetes Federation International Epidemiological Association* (2004–2006) International Ergonomics Association* (2005–2007) International Eye Foundation, Inc.* International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies International Federation on Ageing* (2005–2007) 1
Previously known as Christoffel-Blindenmission. Revised Articles of Association indicate ChristoffelBlindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V. CBM. The nongovernmental organization uses the acronym CBM. 2 3
Previously known as the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems. Previously known as the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies.
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Annex
International League Against Epilepsy International Leprosy Association International Life Sciences Institute* International Network on Children’s Health, Environment and Safety International Non Governmental Coalition Against Tobacco* (2005–2007) International Organization against Trachoma International Pediatric Association* (2005–2007) International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War International Planned Parenthood Federation* (2005–2007) International Society for Environmental Epidemiology* (2003–2008) International Society of Doctors for the Environment* International Society of Hematology International Solid Waste Association International Union against Cancer* International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections* International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources International Union for Health Promotion and Education* (2005–2007) International Union of Immunological Societies International Union of Microbiological Societies International Union of Nutritional Sciences* (2005–2007) International Union of Psychological Science International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry* International Union of Toxicology International Water Association* International Women’s Health Coalition Inc.1* (2005–2007) Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences* La Leche League International* (2005–2007) March of Dimes Foundation2* Medical Women’s International Association* (2005–2007) ORBIS International Organisation pour la Prévention de la Cécité* Rehabilitation International* (2005–2007) Rotary International* Thalassaemia International Federation* The International Association of Lions Clubs* The International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations* The Population Council* (2005–2007) The Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (Sight Savers International)* World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Blind Union World Confederation for Physical Therapy* (2005–2007) World Council of Optometry* World Federation for Mental Health* (2005–2007) World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology* (2004–2006) World Federation of Hemophilia* 1 2
Previously known as the International Women’s Health Coalition. Previously known as the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.
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Annex
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World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy World Federation of the Deaf* (2005–2007) World Heart Federation* World Hypertension League* World Plumbing Council* World Stroke Organization*1 World Veterinary Association*
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* Based on reports of joint collaboration for the period under review (2006–2008, unless otherwise indicated), the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations recommended the maintenance of official relations of those nongovernmental organizations whose names are followed by an asterisk. The other nongovernmental organizations are the subject of specific decisions or a resolution. 1
Previously known as the International Stroke Society.
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