EXECUTIVE BOARD 122nd Session Geneva, 21–26 January 2008
EB122/1(annotated) 6 November 2007
Provisional agenda (annotated) 1. 2. 3. Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda Report by 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 seventh meeting of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee which is to be held during the preceding week. 4. Technical and health matters 4.1 Climate change and health
Item proposed by a Member State. The report summarizes the increasing evidence that climate change presents a threat to health security. It describes WHO’s proposal for a global framework for protecting health from the effects of climate change. The framework would build on existing functions with the aim of improving the present state of public health and reducing vulnerability to future effects of climate change. 4.2 Pandemic influenza preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits
The document presents the report of the Intergovernmental Meeting on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits, scheduled to be held in November 2007. 4.3 Poliomyelitis: mechanism for management of potential risks to eradication
The report summarizes the progress of the intensified initiative to eradicate poliomyelitis as measured against the new indicators established at an urgent stakeholder consultation held in February 2007. Priorities for interrupting transmission of remaining wild poliovirus, as well as options for negotiating the international framework required for minimizing the risks of poliomyelitis in the post-eradication era, are outlined. 4.4 Eradication of dracunculiasis
Item proposed by a Member State. The report describes progress towards the eradication of dracunculiasis and identifies the remaining obstacles. It outlines the proposed extra effort that is needed to accelerate progress towards that goal in the three countries that still have a high burden of disease and in the six countries where the burden remains low.
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4.5
Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)
The status of implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) and the revised Annex 9 is reported. A draft resolution is submitted which proposes a schedule for future reporting on implementation, the first review of the functioning of the Regulations, and the first review and evaluation of the functioning of Annex 2. 4.6 Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy
The report presents a draft plan of action for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, as requested in resolution WHA60.23. The draft plan provides a framework by focusing on the impact that WHO’s work can have at the country level in the areas of advocacy, planning, capacity strengthening, monitoring and collaboration. 4.7 Strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol
The report describes the discussions that have taken place on the subject in the governing bodies since January 2007. The outcomes of an informal consultation scheduled to be held in December 2007 will be reported to the Board separately. 4.8 Health of migrants
Item proposed by a Member State. The report reviews the salient health aspects associated with population movements, and identifies the basic principles of public health as they relate to migrants. It discusses the major determinants of the health of migrants, the major health issues that result from migration and the consequences of considerations of migrants’ health for national health systems. The main policies and strategies for improving the health of migrants and WHO’s role therein are outlined. A draft resolution on the subject is submitted. 4.9 Public health, innovation and intellectual property: draft global strategy and plan of action
The document submits the report of the second session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, held in Geneva in November 2007. 4.10 Health technologies The report emphasizes the importance of partnerships between the Secretariat and Member States on health technologies and their integration into health systems. Renewed strategic directions will focus on how the Secretariat can develop and strengthen tools and services for supporting Member States in prioritizing, choosing and making adequate use of medical technologies, in particular medical devices. Cross-cutting activities will include prequalification of priority medical devices and management of information on technologies. 4.11 Global immunization strategy The report outlines the remarkable progress made by immunization programmes, including a substantial reduction in measles mortality, record-high coverage rates and an increased uptake of new vaccines. It describes how new resources, effective partnerships and national commitment have facilitated programme implementation and success, even in resource-poor countries. It notes that
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further efforts are required to reach the goals set for 2010 or earlier in the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006–2015, and thereby contributing substantially to reducing the under-five mortality rate. 4.12 Female genital mutilation The report notes the slow rate of decline of female genital mutilation, a practice that has severe health consequences for girls and women and which violates their human rights. The report describes the Secretariat’s work with Member States and submits a draft resolution that urges intensified action and which is based on a revised version of the inter-agency Joint Statement on Female Genital Mutilation issued in 1997. 4.13 International migration of health personnel: a challenge for health systems in developing countries Since 2004, migration of health workers has significantly increased, becoming more complicated and involving more countries. The report describes the Secretariat’s comprehensive approach in response to resolutions WHA57.19 and WHA58.17, which includes improving information and data on migration of health workers, devising innovative policy responses, developing effective international interventions and raising awareness globally about workforce issues. 5. Financial matters Amendments to the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules [if any] 6. Management matters 6.1 Director-General of the World Health Organization
The report, which is submitted as requested by the Executive Board at its 121st session, explores options related to the geographical rotation of the position of Director-General and reviews the corresponding legal implications. 6.2 United Nations reform process and WHO’s role in harmonization of operational development activities at country level
In accordance with the provisions of resolution WHA58.25, the report provides an assessment of WHO’s contribution to the implementation of United Nations General Assembly resolution 59/250 relating to policy on operational activities for development of the United Nations system in countries. It also outlines recent developments relating to WHO’s participation in the reform process of the United Nations system. 6.3 Partnerships
The report provides an overview and assessment of the nature of various health partnerships and partnering arrangements. It presents lessons learnt, considers the impact of partnerships on countries and efforts to coordinate them, and describes WHO’s interaction with them. It also identifies key trends and issues for discussion.
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6.4
WHO publications
At its 121st session the Executive Board agreed to a further, fuller review of WHO’s publication policy. That review has been undertaken and the report outlines the main recommendations and planned actions. 6.5 Method of work of the Health Assembly
The report discusses ways in which the Rules of Procedure of either the World Health Assembly or the Executive Board could be revised in order to streamline and improve the work of those organs. 6.6 Reports of committees of the Executive Board • Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations During the session the Board will receive the report of the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations, which contains, inter alia, the Committee’s recommendations on requests from organizations for admission into official relations with WHO, the review of nongovernmental organizations in provisional official relations, and the review of collaboration between WHO and one third of the organizations in official relations during the period 2005–2007. • Foundations and awards The Board will review the reports of the selection panels of the prizes to be awarded in 2008 by the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation and the State of Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation, in addition to considering a proposal for a new prize. 6.7 Provisional agenda of the Sixty-first World Health Assembly and date and place of the 123rd session of the Executive Board
The document includes the provisional daily timetable of the Sixty-first World Health Assembly. 7. Staffing matters 7.1 Appointment of the Regional Director for the Americas
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 2007 of the Organization’s staffing profile provides data on, inter alia, distribution of staff by sex, age and length of service, geographical representation, and turnover. The report also highlights progress in several areas towards facilitating the management of human resources within the Organization. The annual report containing data as at 31 December 2007 will be submitted to the Sixty-first World Health Assembly.
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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. 7.4 Confirmation of amendments to the Staff Regulations and 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. 7.5 8. Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations
Matters for information 8.1 Reports of advisory bodies • Advisory Committee on Health Research (ACHR) The report summarizes discussions of the forty-seventh and forty-eighth sessions of the global Advisory Committee on Health Research and highlights work in progress on a WHO health research strategy and preparations for the Global Ministerial Forum on Health Research to be held in Bamako in November 2008. • 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 2007, and lists the meetings of expert committees convened during the year. 8.2 Progress reports A. B. C. D. E. Control of human African trypanosomiasis (resolution WHA57.2) Strengthening nursing and midwifery (resolution WHA59.27) International trade and health (resolution WHA59.26) Health promotion in a globalized world (resolution WHA60.24) Smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks (resolution WHA60.1)
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F.
Reproductive health: strategy to accelerate progress towards the attainment of international development goals and targets (resolution WHA57.12) Infant and young child nutrition: biennial progress report (resolution WHA58.32) Multilingualism: implementation of action plan
G. H. 9.
Closure of the session
Note. At their consultation with the Director-General on 20 September 2007, 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: 1. Draft provisional agenda transmitted to Member States for comment on 21 June 2007:
• to transfer agenda item 4.3, Smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks, from “Technical and health matters” to “Matters for information”
• to transfer agenda item 4.7, Reproductive health: strategy to accelerate progress towards the attainment of international development goals and targets, from “Technical and health matters” to “Matters for information”
• to transfer agenda item 4.10, Infant and young child nutrition: biennial progress report, from “Technical and health matters” to “Matters for information” 2. Items proposed by Member States in accordance with Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board:
• to defer to the 123rd session of the Board: HIV/AIDS and mental health Monitoring the implementation of the health-related Millennium Development Goals Human organ and tissue transplantation
• to defer to the 124th session of the Board: Primary health care: 30 years of the Alma-Ata Declaration
• to defer to an unspecified session of the Board: Equitable geographical distribution of the membership of the Executive Board Review of prioritization of resource allocation: shift of burden of diseases1
To be clarified with proposing Member State, and considered under an item in implementation of the Medium-term strategic plan 2008–2013.
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• to subsume under existing agenda item 4.6, Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy: Diabetes: support for implementation of national strategies
• to maintain unchanged the titles for agenda items 4.6, Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy, and 4.10, Health technologies.
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