WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FIFTY-NINTH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY (Draft) A59/48 26 May 2006
First report of Committee B (Draft)
Committee B held its first and second meetings on 25 May 2006 under the chairmanship of Dr Ali Jaffer Mohammad (Oman) and, after the election of Vice-Chairmen, that of Mr F.T. Duque (Philippines) and Mr Vincent Meriton (Seychelles). On the proposal of the Committee on Nominations,1 Mr F.T. Duque (Philippines) and Mr Vincent Meriton (Seychelles) were elected Vice-Chairmen, and Dr B. Carey (Bahamas), Rapporteur. It was decided to recommend to the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly the adoption of the attached eight resolutions relating to the following agenda items: 13. Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan One resolution 14. Eleventh General Programme of Work, 2006-2015 One resolution, as amended 15. Programme, budget and financial matters 15.1 Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution One resolution, as amended, entitled: – Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears
1
Document A59/44.
(Draft) A59/48
15.2 Special arrangements for settlement of arrears Five resolutions entitled: – – – – – Arrears in payment of contributions: Afghanistan Arrears in payment of contributions: Armenia Arrears in payment of contributions: Central African Republic Arrears in payment of contributions: Dominican Republic Arrears in payment of contributions: Turkmenistan
2
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 13 Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Mindful of the basic principle established in the Constitution of WHO, which affirms that the health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security; Recalling all its previous resolutions on health conditions in the occupied Arab territories; Expressing appreciation for the report of the Director-General on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan;1 Expressing its concern at the deterioration of the economic and health conditions as well as the humanitarian crisis resulting from the continued occupation and the severe restrictions imposed by Israel, the occupying power; Expressing its concern also at the health crisis and rising levels of food insecurity in the occupied Palestinian territory due to Israel's withholding of Palestinian customs revenues and the severance of external aid; Affirming the need for guaranteeing universal coverage of health services and for preserving the functions of the public health services in the occupied Palestinian territory; Recognizing that the acute shortage of financial and medical resources in the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which is responsible for running and financing public health services, jeopardizes the access of the Palestinian population to curative and preventive services; Affirming the right of Palestinian patients and medical staff to the health facilities available at the Palestinian health institutions in occupied east Jerusalem; Deploring the Israeli army’s continuous assault on Palestinian ambulances and medical personnel and the Israeli-imposed restriction on their movement, in violation of international humanitarian law, 1. DEMANDS that Israel lift the closure in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly the closure of the crossing points of the occupied Gaza Strip that are causing the serious shortage of drugs and medical supplies therein; 2. DEMANDS that Israel dismantle and stop the construction of the wall and abide by its legal obligations mentioned in the advisory opinion rendered on 9 July 2004 by the International Court of Justice;
1
Document A59/24.
3
(Draft) A59/48
3. EXPRESSES deep concern at the grave implication of the wall on the accessibility and quality of medical services received by the Palestinian population in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem; 4. EXPRESSES deep concern also at the serious implications on pregnant women and patients of Israeli restriction of movement imposed on Palestinian ambulances and medical personnel; 5. URGES Israel, the occupying power, to shoulder its responsibility towards the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, in compliance with international humanitarian law; 6. DEMANDS that Israel, the occupying power, pay the Palestinian Authority regularly and without delay its customs revenues in order to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities with respect to basic human needs, including health services; 7. CALLS UPON Israel, the occupying power, to halt immediately all its practices, policies and plans including its closure regime, which seriously affect the health conditions of civilians under occupation; 8. URGES Member States and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations to help overcome the health crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory by providing assistance to the Palestinian people; 9. CALLS UPON Member States to provide financial support to public health and veterinary services in order to implement the Palestinian national plan for fighting the potential outspread of avian influenza in the occupied Palestinian territory; 10. EXPRESSES its deep appreciation to the Director-General for his efforts to provide necessary assistance to the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and to the Syrian population in the occupied Syrian Golan; 11. REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to organize a one-day emergency meeting addressing the health crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory; (2) to provide support for Palestinian health and veterinary services in establishing a modern public health laboratory capable of diagnosing avian influenza in humans and animals; (3) to submit a fact-finding report on the health and economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan; (4) to provide health-related technical assistance to the Syrian population in the occupied Syrian Golan; (5) to continue providing necessary technical assistance to meet the health needs of the Palestinian people, including the handicapped and injured; (6) to support the development of the health system in Palestine, including development of human resources; (7) to report on implementation of this resolution to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly.
4
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 14
Eleventh General Programme of Work, 2006-2015 The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Having considered the draft Eleventh General Programme of Work, 2006-2015,1 submitted to it by the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee on behalf of the Executive Board; Noting that the General Programme of Work focuses on the actions and responsibilities of WHO as the world’s specialized health agency and its role in global health, while examining the interrelatedness of the many sectors and disciplines influencing health; Mindful of the changing context of international health, and the need for WHO and partners to respond effectively to these changes; Noting that the General Programme of Work calls for collective action to improve health over the next decade through a proposed global health agenda; Acknowledging that the General Programme of Work is designed to be the first step in WHO’s results-based management process, giving broad direction to the work of WHO; Welcoming the framework provided by the General Programme of Work and its underpinning of the medium-term strategic plan in preparation, which reflects an effort to introduce a more strategic approach in the Secretariat’s planning, monitoring and evaluation, and the Organization’s work with partners, 1. APPROVES the Eleventh General Programme of Work, 2006-2015;
2. URGES Member States to identify their role and specific actions to be taken to fulfil the global health agenda, and to encourage multidisciplinary partnerships; 3. INVITES concerned organizations of the United Nations system, international development partners and agencies, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to consider harmonizing their work in line with the global health agenda contained in the Eleventh General Programme of Work; 4. REQUESTS the Director-General to use the Eleventh General Programme of Work as the basis for strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of WHO’s work during the period 2006-2015; to review and update the General Programme of Work, as needed to reflect the changing state of global health; and to report through the Executive Board to the Sixty-third World Health Assembly and the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly on the continued relevance and use of the Eleventh General Programme of Work.
1
Document A59/25.
5
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 15.1
Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Having considered the first report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board to the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly on Status of collection of accessed contributions, including Members in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears;1 Noting that, at the time of opening of the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, the voting rights of Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Central African Republic, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Nauru, Niger, Somalia and Turkmenistan remained suspended, such suspension to continue until the arrears of the Member State concerned have been reduced, at the present or future Health Assemblies, to a level below the amount which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution; Noting that Bolivia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Dominica were in arrears at the time of the opening of the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly to such an extent that it was necessary for the Health Assembly to consider, in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution, whether or not the voting privileges of those countries should be suspended at the opening of the Sixtieth Health Assembly, DECIDES: (1) that in accordance with the statement of principles set out in resolution WHA41.7 if, by the time of the opening of the Sixtieth World Health Assembly, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Dominica are still in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution, their voting privileges shall be suspended as from the said opening; (2) that any suspension which takes effect as aforesaid shall continue at the Sixtieth and subsequent Health Assemblies, until the arrears of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Dominica have been reduced to a level below the amount which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution; (3) that this decision shall be without prejudice to the right of any Member to request restoration of its voting privileges in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution.
1
Document A59/26.
6
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 15.2
Arrears in payment of contributions: Afghanistan The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Having considered the first report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board on the Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Members in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears,1 with respect to the request of Afghanistan for the settlement of its outstanding contributions, 1. DECIDES to restore the voting privileges of Afghanistan at the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly; 2. ACCEPTS that Afghanistan shall pay its outstanding contributions, totalling US$ 232 500, in 14 annual instalments payable in each of the years 2007 to 2020, as set out below, in addition to the annual contributions due during the period: US $ 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total 1
16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 600 16 700 232 500
Document A59/26.
7
(Draft) A59/48
3. DECIDES that, in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution, voting privileges shall be automatically suspended again if Afghanistan does not meet the requirements laid down in paragraph 2 above; 4. REQUESTS the Director-General to report to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly on the prevailing situation; 5. REQUESTS the Director-General to communicate this resolution to the Government of Afghanistan.
8
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 15.2
Arrears in payment of contributions: Armenia The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Having considered the first report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board on the Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Members in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears,1 with respect to the request of Armenia for the settlement of its outstanding contributions, 1. DECIDES to restore the voting privileges of Armenia at the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly; 2. ACCEPTS that Armenia shall pay its outstanding contributions, totalling US$ 2 446 150, in 18 annual instalments payable in each of the years 2006 to 2023, as set out below, in addition to the annual contributions due during the period:
US$ 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total: 45 300 45 300 67 950 67 950 90 600 90 600 113 250 113 250 135 900 135 900 158 550 158 550 181 200 181 200 203 850 203 850 226 500 226 450 2 446 150
1
Document A59/26.
9
(Draft) A59/48
3. DECIDES that, in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution, voting privileges shall be automatically suspended again if Armenia does not meet the requirements laid down in paragraph 2 above; 4. REQUESTS the Director-General to report to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly on the prevailing situation; 5. REQUESTS the Director-General to communicate this resolution to the Government of Armenia.
10
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 15.2
Arrears in payment of contributions: Central African Republic The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Having considered the first report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board on the Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Members in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears,1 with respect to the request of Central African Republic for the settlement of its outstanding contributions, 1. DECIDES to restore the voting privileges of Central African Republic at the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly; 2. ACCEPTS that Central African Republic shall pay its outstanding contributions, totalling US$ 164 841, in five annual instalments payable in each of the years 2006 to 2010, as set out below, in addition to the annual contributions due during the period:
US$ 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total 32 970 32 970 32 970 32 970 32 961 164 841
3. DECIDES that, in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution, voting privileges shall be automatically suspended again if Central African Republic does not meet the requirements laid down in paragraph 2 above; 4. REQUESTS the Director-General to report to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly on the prevailing situation; 5. REQUESTS the Director-General to communicate this resolution to the Government of Central African Republic.
1
Document A59/26.
11
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 15.2
Arrears in payment of contributions: Dominican Republic The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Having considered the first report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board on the Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Members in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears,1 with respect to the request of Dominican Republic for the settlement of its outstanding contributions, 1. DECIDES to restore the voting privileges of Dominican Republic at the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly; 2. ACCEPTS that Dominican Republic shall pay its outstanding contributions, totalling US$ 1 019 572, in 15 annual instalments payable in each of the years 2006 to 2020, as set out below, in addition to the annual contributions due during the period:
US$ 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 970 67 992 1 019 572
1
Document A59/26.
12
(Draft) A59/48
3. DECIDES that, in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution, voting privileges shall be automatically suspended again if Dominican Republic does not meet the requirements laid down in paragraph 2 above; 4. REQUESTS the Director-General to report to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly on the prevailing situation; 5. REQUESTS the Director-General to communicate this resolution to the Government of Dominican Republic.
13
(Draft) A59/48
Agenda item 15.2
Arrears in payment of contributions: Turkmenistan The Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly, Having considered the first report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board on the Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Members in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent which would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution and special arrangements for settlement of arrears,1 with respect to the request of Turkmenistan for the settlement of its outstanding contributions, 1. DECIDES to restore the voting privileges of Turkmenistan at the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly; 2. ACCEPTS that Turkmenistan shall pay its outstanding contributions, totalling US$ 1 259 014, in 10 annual instalments payable in each of the years 2006 to 2015, as set out below, in addition to the annual contributions due during the period:
US$ 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total 125 900 125 900 125 900 125 900 125 900 125 900 125 900 125 900 125 900 125 914 1 259 014
3. DECIDES that, in accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution, voting privileges shall be automatically suspended again if Turkmenistan does not meet the requirements laid down in paragraph 2 above; 4. REQUESTS the Director-General to report to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly on the prevailing situation; 5. REQUESTS the Director-General to communicate this resolution to the Government of Turkmenistan. = 1
=
=
Document A59/26.
14