(WPR/RC23/SR/6)
SUMMARY RECORD OF THE SIXTH MEETING
Conference Room, Guam Hilton Wednesday, 4 October 1972 at 9.00 a.m. CHAIRMAN: Dr Sivakami Devi (Singapore)
CONTENTS
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Consideration of draft resolutions •••.•••••••••••• Statements of Representatives of the United Nations and Specialized Agencies, of Intergovernmental Organizations in official rela tions with WHO .................................... .
148
2
149
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Selection of topic for the Technical Discussions during the twenty-fourth session of the Regional Committee •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Time, place and duration of the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth session of the Regional Commi ttee .............................................. .
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153 160
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Consideration of the Report presented by the Chairman of the Technical Discussions •••••••••••••
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Sixth Meeting Wednesday, 4 October 1972 at 9.00 a.m. PRESENT I. Representatives of Member States AUSTRALIA FRANCE JAPAN Dr H.M. Franklands Dr R.W. Cumming Dr A. Cheval Dr T. Ishimaru Dr R. Kono Dr R. Okamoto Dr Pruoch Vann Dr So Satta Dr P. Phoutthasak Dr T. Phetsiriseng Dr Tow Siang Yeow Mr E.J. Martinez Dr C.N.D. Taylor Dr J. Azurin Dr D.H. Silva Ferreira Dr M. Lopes Mr J.C.P. das Neves Dr H.K. Park Dr Sivakami Devi Dr P.W. Dill-Russell Dr H.S. Chan Dr J.C. King Mr G.J. Dugan Mr E.H. Noroian
KHMER REPUBLIC LAOS MALAYSIA NEW ZEALAND PHILIPPINES PORTUGAL
REPUBLIC OF KOREA SINGAPORE UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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VIET-NAM WESTERN SAMOA II. Representative of Associate Member PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Dr Nguyen Tuan Phong Dr Leota Tautasi
Dr J.O. Tuvi
III. Representatives of the United Nations and Related Organizations UNITED NATIONS AND UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IV.
Mr W.M. Harding
Representatives of non-governmental organizations INTERNATIONAL DENTAL FEDERATION LEAGUE OF RED CROSS SOCIETIES WORLD FEDERATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS Professor T. Fusayama Mrs Ruth Macomber Dr C.N.D. Taylor
V.
WHO Secretariat SECRETARY Dr Francisco J. Dy Regional Director
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CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS The Committee considered the following draft resolutions:
1.1
Regional activities in environmental pollution control (Document WPR/RC23/WP/12)
Dr PRUOCH VANN (Khmer Republic) suggested a minor change in the French text, which would improve the style and also bring it into line with the English text, namely to add the word "provenant" after the words "des fonds" in operative paragraph 2. It was not an amendment. It was so agreed. Decision: The draft resolution was adopted (see resolution WPR/RC23 .R17) . 1.2 Comprehensive and co-ordinated teacher training programme for health personnel (Document WPR/RC23/WP/13 Rev.l)
Dr FRANKLANDS (Australia), referring to resolution WPR/RC22.R16 adopted by the Committee at its previous session in 1971, recalled that operative paragraph 2 of that resolution endorsed the proposal that the centre be established at the University of New South Wales, but in the present draft resolution no mention had been made of that institution. A small amendment would rectify that omission and bring the University into the picture. He proposed that the words "and with the University of New South Wales" be added after the words "Government of Australia" in operative paragraph 2. The wording of operative paragraph 3 gave the impression that funds were being provided only by the United Nations Development Programme and he proposed to insert the word "also" between the words "funds will" and "be provided" to indicate that there were other ways of obtaining financial or other support. He wondered whether the Regional Director would agree to those two additions to the text. The REGIONAL DIRECTOR agreed to the proposed modifications. Decision: The draft resolution, as amended, was adopted (see resolution WPR/RC23.Rl8). 1.3 Long-term inter-country programme in the field of health laboratory services (Document WPR/RC23/WP/14) Decision: The draft resolution was adopted without comment (see resolution WPR/RC23.Rl9).
, 1.4
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WHO Serum Reference Bank in Tokyo (Document WPR/RC23/WP/1S) Decision: The draft resolution was adopted without comment (see resolution WPR/RC23.R20).
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STATEMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO: Item 22 of the Agenda
On the invitation of the CHAIRMAN, the following representatives presented statements. 2.1 Representative of the United Nations and United Nations Development Programme
Mr HARDING, after conveying the greetings and best wishes of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, expressed his sincere thanks to the Government and People of Guam for the arrangements made to host the session. Significant progress had been achieved during the first years of the Second Development Decade. First, most countries in the Region had virtually completed the preparation of their country programmes for UNDP assistance. Country programming was aimed at effecting a more productive relationship between external resources and the overall plan objectives of each government. The new procedures recognized that the earlier ad h2S arrangements had not been entirely satisfactory and also that the developing countries had become more competent in the field of planning. They also reflected the sterility of the former Gross National Product approach and stressed the need for a unified approach to development.
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Experience in the various countries had naturally proved uneven since society had not as yet reached a high enough level of competence and mutual confidence to ensure a fully integrated and unified approach to problems. The problems themselves were extremely complicated and were becoming even more complex as they became increasingly inter-related and more affected by the rapid pace of technological progress. However, much had been achieved by country programming although a great deal still remained to be done in the field of development planning. The speaker referred to the concern expressed during the meeting in regard to the share of UNDP and other resources for the expansion of the health sector. Decisions regarding the utilization of external resources were taken by governments. This had always been so in theory but was now a much greater reality. That trend held out the greatest promise for the future as it would hasten the development of strong, independent nations which could derive maximum benefit from international assistance.
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It was significant that new resources had recently become available, such as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), which had operated during its first year of activity with resources of over US$25 million, while for 1972 its target was double that amount. The United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control (UNFDAC) had also been set up. The Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment had recommended to the General Assembly that new programmes with adequate financing be instituted for environment activities. Obviously all those developments were extremely significant in such fields as population, drug abuse control and environment, all subjects that came within the particular competence of WHO. There was, however, a basic contradiction which it might be advisable to note: although the world was recognizing the need for a unified, multisectoral approach to development, the organizations for implementing programmes to bring about social change were proliferating and thus making the task more complicated at both the national and international levels. An example of increasing interrelationship was provided by tIle problem of environment. The compelling priority for everyone in the future was, therefore, to achieve co-ordination of organizations, resources, programmes and ordinary Iluman needs in order to fuse and utilize them to the best advantage. Inter-agency co-operation should be stepped up and, because of the new challenges constituted by population growth, drug abuse control and environment, the role of WKO was becoming ever more vital. That was the real cIlallenge to be met for achieving success in the Seventies. 2.2 Representative of the IrtternationalDental Federatiun
Dr FUSAYAMA conveyed the warm greetings and good wishes of the International Dental Federation. As had been mentioned previously, there was a considerable sIiortage of dental manpower in many countries and wide differences in the structure and training of this category of health personnel. In view of this shortage, governments should study the structure of tIle manpower most suitable to their national situation and request assistance in training dental health personnel accordingly, both nationally and internationally. The appointment of a regional dental health adviser, as repeatedly emphasized by previous representatives of Ilis Federation, migh.t be one of the ways of meeting requests for assistance. Although dentai diseases were not directly mortal, dental health was an important part of total Ilealth. TIle earlier dental healtIl care programmes were initiated, the more effective and economical they would be. He requested tIle support of Members of the Regional Committee in emphasizing tIlis field in future WHO programmes.
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The first step would be to establish national systems of dental health care for children through prevention, early treatment and oral hygiene education. Such programmes would eventually expand to cover the whole population. The workshop on dental health services, held in Singapore in May 1972, had emphasized the need for development of school dental services. Some materials for dental health education were available at the Federation's headquarters in London. The international training and exchange of dental health personnel was an effective means of promoting dental health schemes. Prior to this, however, an international agreement was called for allowing all graduates from recognized dental schools to take the license examination in any country of the Region. This could perhaps be undertaken with the leadership, or assistance, of waO. Water fluoridation should be continued but in doing this care should be taken to avoid pollution. The specific sensitivity to fluoride and the fluoride content in food and water should be checked prior to the introduction of artificial fluoridation. A system should be developed to keep the fluoride concentration stable while other means of applying fluoride should also be studied. In conclusion, he expressed appreciation at being able to make a statement to the twenty-third session of the Regional Committee. He suggested that on future occasions it would be more timely if an opportunity could be given to make a statement prior to the consideration of the proposed programme and budget estimates in order that the views and comments of the Federation might be taken into account in the deliberations of the Committee. 2.3 Representative of the League of Red Cross Societies
Mrs MACOMBER said that as Representative of the League of Red Cross Societies, it was a privilege to attend the twenty-third session of the waD Regional Committee 'for the Western Pacific. The League attached great value to being represented at the Regional Committees, particularly in this area. The Red Cross's objectives were to improve and extend the areas of service provided by the national societies to the people of their countries and to encourage greater volunteer participation in achieving their goals. The Red Cross's present programmes included assistance to public health authorities. This might take the form of provision of public health educators or nurses, assistance in the eradication of malaria, in the field of environmental health and prevention of disease:, or securing the specialists needed by developing societies. The Red Cross encouraged requests for assistance in planning and programming which could be made through the national societies or by direct communication with the League of Red Cross Societies in Geneva.
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2.4
Representative of the World Federation of Public Health Associations
Dr TAYLOR (New Zealand; Rapporteur), speaking as Representative of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, conveyed the good wishes of its Executive Secretary, Mr Thomas R. Hood. The Federation had been established in 1968 with the following aims and objectives: (ll to promote the development of strong, multi-disciplined national public health associations; (2) to represent the public health professions with WHO; (3) to improve the education of professional public health personnel by establishing minimum standards of educat ion; (41 to s timula te the development of research programmes in the administration of health services; and (5) to encourage the participation of national public health associations in health planning at the national level. Meetings of the Federation were held annually at the time and place of the World Health Assembly. The Federation looked forward eagerly to expanding and strengthening its association with WHO in the coming years.
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SELECTION OF TOPIC FOR THE TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS DURING THE TWENTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE: Item 23 of the Agenda (Document WPR/RC23/15)
The CHAIRMAN pointed out that, among the topics suggested for the Technical Discussions in 1973, the New Zealand Government had endorsed the one entitled "The Role of the Hospital in the Community and the Financing of Hospital Based Medical Care". Since the New Zealand Government was hosting the Session in 1973, it would appear appropriate to select that topic. Dr TAYLOR (New Zealand, Rapporteur) recalled that last year the topic now proposed had received almost as much support as the one finally selected for discussion at the present session. The latter had received preference because of the interest shown in environmental pollution problems by the United States Government, acting with Guam as host to the 1972 session, but New Zealand had also realized its importance, as was shown in the choice of this year's Chairman for the Technical Discussions. Dr FRANKLANDS (Australia} supported the topic proposed for 1973 but wished stress to be laid, when preparing working papers, on the trend away from promoting hospitalization as such towards the provision of medical care within the community. The primary objective was to prevent the need for high-cost hospital beds by treating cases at an earlier stage in community centres. The first part of the title would stimulate discussions on community health care in
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general but the latter part assumed that such care would necessarily be provided ~n hospital. Nevertheless he still gave the topic his support. Dr CHEVAL (France) supported the proposal to adopt "The Role of the Hospital in the Community and the Financing of Hospital Based Medical Care" as topic for the technical discussions. As far as the remark by the Representative of Australia was concerned, it might perhaps be noted that the word "hospital" did not necessarily refer to hospital beds. France, in particular, had adopted the so-called "day hospital" formula. If the discussions centred exclusively on "hospital beds", the word "hospitalization" might be adopted. Decision: The topic "The Role of the Hospital in the Communi.ty and the Financing of Hospital Based Medical Care" should be selected for the Technical Discussions ,at the twenty-fourth session in 1973. (For consideration of draft resolution, see the seventh meeting, section 1.1.)
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TIME, PLACE AND DURATION OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH. AND TWENTY-FIFTH SESSIONS OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE: Item 25 of the Agenda
The REGIONAL DIRECTOR recalled that the Committee had accepted the invitation extended by the New Zealand Government to hold its twenty-fourth session in Wellington. The dates would be from 28 August to 5 September 1973, because of the accommodation available in. Wellington. Since the proposed programme and budget would have to be prepared in a new form for the next session, the earlier date would entail considerable effort on the part of the Secretariat. In regard to the twenty-fifth session to be held in 1974, the Government of Malaysia had offered to act as host. Mr MARTINEZ (Malaysia) formally extended the invitation by the Minister of Health, Tan Sri Lee Siok Yew. Dr KING (United States of America) said that the Committee would recall that at the previous session the United States delegation had opposed the proposal that all costs of Regional Committee meetings be paid out of the regular budget as it considered that such funds could be better used for financing programmes within the Region. The budget estimate for the session in 1974 was US$20 000, an increase of $6800 over the estimates for 1973; presumably that was for holding the session at regional headquarters in Manila. Although he would like to accept the kind invitation of the Government of Malaysia, it would be inappropriate to do so if funds would thereby have to be diverted from programmes already proposed by the Committee for the budget for 1974; if, on the other hand, it was planned to draw on
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savings which might occur, then programmes included in the Supplementary List would suffer. He wished to ask the Regional Director: (1) Would the Government of Malaysia cover all or most of the costs incurred over and above the cost of holding the session in Manila? (2) If that was not the case, would he be able to obtain funds to reimburse the Government of Malaysia? and (3) Did he consider it advisable to hold sessions of the Committee away from Manila during three consecutive years? The REGIONAL DIRECTOR, in reply to the first question, said that he had not as yet conferred with the Representative of Malaysia as to the extent to which his Government would be able to finance the additional costs involved in holding the session in Kuala Lumpur, but he hoped to do so shortly. In reply to the second question, it was correct that the amount of $20 000 was the estimate for holding the session at the Manila Headquarters. If additional costs were involved, he would have to use available savings to finance the extra amount needed to hold the session in Kuala Lumpur. As to the third question, in his opinion it was extremely useful to hold Committee sessions away from regional headquarters, especially as, for the last four years, they had always been held in Manila. That had been because governments were unwilling to cover the additional costs involved in holding a meeting in one of the Member countries. Quoting from resolution WPR/RC22.R17 adopted last year, he stressed the advantages of obtaining a more intimate knowledge of the peoples of the Region and the health situation in the various countries and territories. In many countries the Health Department was placed in a relatively low category and received less financial backing than other departments. One great benefit derived from holding sessions in countries other than the Philippines was that attention was focused on the activities of the Health Department of the host country. That meant that the Treasury or Legislature responsible for finances became more aware of health needs. Moreover, greater interest was aroused in WHO itself among a wider public. If the Committee no longer supported the resolution adopted last year, he feared that some of the less affluent Members would be unable to invite the Regional Committee to hold a session in their countries. Dr ISHIMARU (Japan) said that his delegation fully appreciated the remarks made by the Representative of the United States of America but in view of the resolutions adopted at the past sessions and the explanation made by the Regional Director, he proposed that the Committee adhere to the points made clear in resolution WPR/RC22.R17. Dr DILL-RUSSELL (United Kingdom) suggested a compromise. An earlier resolution provided that meetings could be held outside the regional headquarters in Manila every other year. He proposed there-
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fore that, as from 1974, the Committee revert to the original resolution - i.e., that subject to an invitation being received, the regional committee meeting would be held outside Manila every other year. This meant that, in so far as costs were concerned, the possible burden on the regular budget would be reduced to this extent; at the same time, opportunity was given for Members to visit countries in the Region and become acquainted with health conditions. The Regional Director had stated that the meeting had been held in Manila for four years prior to the present one. The meetings in Guam, Wellington and Malaysia would take the Committee through 1974. It could then revert to alternate years in Manila. In other words, the 1975 meeting would be held in Manila; in 1976 i t would be outside, if an invitation was received to hold it outside; the 1977 meeting would also be in Manila, and so forth. Mr MARTINEZ (Malaysia) expressed appreciation of the statements made by the Representative of the United States of America and the Regional Director. The Malaysian Government would meet its commitments in hosting the meeting in the spirit of operative paragraph 2 of resolution WPR/RC22.RI7, after having had discussions with the Regional Director. Dr AZURIN (Philippines) stated that this subject had been raised four years ago at the Executive Board meeting in Geneva, and it was the general opinion that WHO should undertake the costs of these meetings. This seemed to be the general practice in all regions, except the Western Pacific. The subject had again been discussed last year and the Committee had agreed that the additional costs should be undertaken by the Regional Office. This was a different practice and, for this reason, governments had now begun to extend invitations • Dr Azurin supported the resolution passed last year, in which it was agreed that when a meeting was held outside Manila, WHO would find ways of supporting the costs from the current budget. However, the practice had had some deviations. The costs of the meeting in Guam were being met by the Government, those of the meeting in Wellington would be borne by the New Zealand Government. If this were to stand, it would be a good practice for governments that could afford it to bear the total costs of the meeting, but for those which had difficulty in doing so, WHO should meet the expenses and the host government would pay only the costs of hospitality arrangements.
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As far as holding the meeting every other year in Manila, he said that, as long as invitations were received from governments, there was no need for requiring the holding of the meeting in Manila • There were sixteen countries in the Region and if the meeting were
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held outside the regional headquarters every other year, it would be thirty-two years before the Committee could make a complete round of countries. Dr SO SATTA (Khmer Republic) indicated that his delegation shared the views of the Representatives who had spoken in favour of accepting the invitation made by the Malaysian Government. The financial problem could certainly be solved by consultations between the Regional Director and the Government of Malaysia. Dr PHOUTTHASAK (Laos) associated himself with the statements made by the Representatives from the United Kingdom and the Philippines. Dr TAUTASI (Western Samoa) expressed his full support of the resolution which permitted the Regional Committee to see the work in various countries and bring the members into closer fellowship and mutual contact with one another. His Government also had in mind inviting a future regional committee to Western Samoa. This would not only improve mutual relationships between his people and the Organization but also strengtlien their trust and confidence. The REGIONAL DIRECTOR drew attention to the two points which had been raised during the present discussion: the Malaysian Government's invitation to hold the twenty-fifth regional committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur in 1974 and the proposal of the Representative of the United Kingdom to hold meetings, starting in 1975, alternately in the regional headquarters and in countries extending an invitation. He suggested that the first subject be considered. Dr CHEVAL (France) said that his delegation did not intend to oppose the resolution adopted at the preceding connnittee meeting and was glad to accept the invitation put forward by the delegation from Malaysia. Dr FRANKLANDS (Australia) expressed the view that it was good to have meetings in other countries if this was done without detracting from the financial commitments to the WHO programme. He supported the Malaysian invitation, as well as the proposal of the Representative of the United Kingdom that in 1975 the Committee should revert to the alternate arrangement of having every second session at the regional headquarters. There would be less frequent invitations if it was part of the principle that the extra costs involved in having meetings outside the regional headquarters had some bearing on the amount put forward for various country programmes. This was what it would amount to in the long run if it cost WHO more to have its annual committee session in another country. Some of that money, as pointed out by the United States delegation, must be diverted for this purpose rather than go to programmes from which countries
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benefitted. He pointed out that there should be some limit to this expense. If sessions of the Committee were held at least every alternate year at regional headquarters, the costs would be less in the long run. Dr TAYLOR (New Zealand) associated himself with the views expressed by the Representative of Australia and expressed the hope that the Committee would be going to New Zeal~d and Malaysia. It was obvious that the following year the meeting would be back in the regional headquarters; this would give the Committee three years to make a change if anything unforeseen at the present time arose. He supported the proposal of the United Kingdom Representative that in 1975 it would be appropriate to go back to the previous alternate arrangement. It was a great advantage for the Representatives to have meetings in Manila. Undoubtedly, meetings in other countries were useful in that the Representatives met people whom otherwise they would not meet. However, there were also people in the Regional Office in Manila whom some of the members of the Committee had not yet met and it was helpful to know them too. The CHAIRMAN asked that the Committee vote on whether or not the invitation of the Government of Malaysia to hold the Regional Committee Meeting in 1974 in Kuala Lumpur should be accepted. This was done and the results were: against and one .abstention. fourteen in favour, none
The CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the Committee, then thanked the Minister of Health of Malaysia, Tan Sri Lee Siok Yew, for the invitation. In the absence of further comments, she requested the Rapporteurs to draft an appropriate resolution. (For consideration of draft resolution, see the seventh meeting, section 1.2.) The Chairman then invited the Committee to vote on the proposal made by the Representative of the United Kingdom to hold the session every other year at the regional headquarters in Manila. Dr AZURIN (Philippines) believed that it was too early to consider the proposal at the present time. The Committee had two years in which to make a decision. If a vote were taken at this time, the forthcoming Regional Committees would be prevented from making a deCision themselves. It might perhaps be better to discuss the subject next year or in 1974. Dr KING (United States of America} pointed out that the Committee had the proposal of the United Kingdom Representative before it and it was under obligation to discuss and put i t to the vote • Dr FRANKLANDS (1ustraliat asked i f the representatives were entitled, under the Rules of Procedure, to speak for or against the
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proposal following the motion of the delegate of the United States to put the matter to vote. The REGIONAL DIRECTOR stated that those who wanted to speak could still do so. The CHAIRMAN invited further comments from the delegates. Dr DILL-RUSSELL (United Kingdom) clarified that his proposal suggested that the Regional Committee meeting for 1975 should be held in Manila. Thereafter, subject to invitations being received from countries in the Region, it could be held outside Manila in 1976 and any alternate year thereafter. Dr FRANKLANDS (Australia) referred to resolution WPR/RC3.R9 on this subject, which had been adopted in 1952. The proposal by the Representative from the United Kingdom bore out the original resolution and he was happy to support it for the main reason that invit.ations might be issued by various Member countries on the basis of other resolutions which had been passed, particularly the one last year which provided that certain additional costs which could not be paid for or agreed upon by those issuing the invitations, would be taken from the funds of the Region. This meant that funds which would have been used to carry out projects, would have to be diverted to cover the expenses of a meeting outside the Regional Office. Under the circumstances it was reasonable to accept the proposal of the Representative from the United Kingdom that alternate meetings should be held in the Regional Office where the cost would be at a minimum, compared to what would be incurred if invitations from other countries were accepted. Dr AZURIN (Philippines) stated that the proposal of last year did not envisage such alternate arrangements. There were advantages to the alternate arrangement but there were also certain advantages accruing from the resolution of last year. There was no certainty at the moment there would be continuous invitations. If none was received beyond 1974, the session would be held in Manila. The alternate arrangement was predicated on the belief that invitations would be received. lIe felt that the proposal to amend last year's rssolution was premature and suggested that its consideration be postponed. Dr PRONG (Viet-Nam) supported the suggestion of the Philippine representative. Dr TAYLOR (New Zealand) felt that the Committee should be able to decide that the 1975 meeting would be appropriately held in the Regional Office in Manila. This would be useful in the forward planning of the Regional Director and his staff and also the Member countries.
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The REGIONAL DIRECTOR pointed out that the Committee was not under obligation at this session to determine the site of the Regional Committee three years from now. It could express its wishes but the question of the date and place of the Regional Commit tee in 1975 would have to be included in the agenda next year. Dr TAYLOR (New Zealand) stated that the resolution before the meeting had the effect of a decision, if accepted, that the session would be in Manila in 1975. It suggested that after the 1974 meeting, the practice of holding the Regional Committee at the Regional Office every other year should be re-instated. He considered that the 1975 session should be in Manila. Three sessions outside the Regional Office might be too taxing to the Region's resources. The REGIONAL DIRECTOR believed a decision would have to be made on two questions: first, whether the Committee wished to take up the proposal of the Representative from the United Kingdom or to postpone its consideration; second, if the Committee should vote to take a decision at this session, then a vote would have to be taken on the proposal of the Representative from the United Kingdom.
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Dr KING (United States of America) stated as a point of order that there was before the Committee only one formal proposal amending a resolution and an informal suggestion made by the Philippine representative.
Mr DAS NEVES (Portugal) supported the views of the Representative of the United States of America. Dr AZURIN (Philippines) changed his suggestion to a formal proposal that consideration of the matter be deferred until next year or the year after. To a request for clarification made by Dr PHOUTTHASAK CLaos), Dr DILL-RUSSELL (United Kingdom) stated that his proposal was that the session in 1975 should be held in Manila with no compromise and thereafter it could be held, subject to invitations being received from Member countries, outside Manila every other year. The REGIONAL DIRECTOR read Rule which dealt with the procedure to be proposals were moved. In accordance should first vote on the proposal of Philippines. 37 of the Rules of Procedure followed when two or more with the rule, the Committee the Representative of the
At the request of the Representative of the Philippines, the Regional Director also read Rule 4 covering the determination of the time and place of the next regular session by the Committee. He also
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referred to resolution WHA9.20 of the World Health Assembly, adopted in 1956, which requested Regional Committees to plan the place of the Regional Committee meetings, together with the budgetary implications, two years in advance so that appropriate budgetary provision might be made by the Assembly when it approved the programme and budget for each year. The Regional Committee was not restrained by any rule from expressing its wishes at this time as regards the session three years from now but the subject would in any case have to be an item of the agenda next year. At the suggestion of the CHAIRMAN, the proposal of the Representative of the Philippines was put to a vote. Dr KING (United States of America) asked whether the Chairman, had the right of a vote as representative of her country and whether she intended to use it. The REGIONAL DIRECTOR said that the Chairman had the right to vote or to abstain as she desired. As a point of order, since the voting had taken place the results should be announced. The result of the voting was 7 votes in favour, 6 against, with one abs tent ion. Decision: Consideration of this item was postponed to next year. (For consideration of draft resolution, see the seventh meeting, section 1.3.)
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CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS: Item 24 of the Agenda (Document WPR/RC23/TD7)
Mr HARCOURT (New Zealand), Chairman of the Technical Discussions, presented the report of the Technical Discussions on "Environmental Pollution: Problems and Approach to their Control in the Western Pacific Region" (WPR/RC23/TD7), which incorporated the amendments proposed and accepted in the second plenary session. He thanked the Representatives who had participated and the secretariat for its assistance in the discussions and in the drafting of the report. The CHAIRMAN thanked Mr Harcourt, the Officers of the Technical Discussion Groups and the Rapporteurs for their work.
The meeting rose at 11.40 a.m.
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