REGIONAL COMMITTEE Fifty-third Session
Provisional Agenda item 10.1 SEA/RC53/5 14 June 2000
UNDP/WORLD BANK/WHO SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR.RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN TROPICAL DISEASES: JOINT COORDINATING BOARD (JCB) – ATTENDANCE AT 2000 JCB AND NOMINATION OF A MEMBER IN PLACE OF INDIA WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON 31 DECEMBER 2000
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1. INTRODUCTION The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) has been set up under the administrative aegis of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is cosponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. The Special Programme, which is a long-term endeavour, has two principal goals: (1) To develop new methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating selected tropical diseases, methods that would be applicable, acceptable and affordable by developing countries, require minimal skills or supervision and be readily integrated into the health services of these countries, and To strengthen – through training in biomedical and social sciences and through support to institutions – the capability of developing countries to undertake the research required to develop these new disease control technologies.
(2)
2. JOINT COORDINATING BOARD For the purpose of coordinating the interests and responsibilities of the parties cooperating in this Special Programme, a Joint Coordinating Board (JCB) has been established.
2.1 Functions The JCB shall, for the purpose of coordinating the interests and responsibilities of the parties cooperating in the Special Programme, have the following functions: (1) Review and decide upon the planning and execution of the Special Programme. For this purpose, it will keep itself informed of all aspects of the development of the Special Programme, and consider reports and recommendations submitted to it by the Standing Committee, the Executing Agency, and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC); Approve the proposed plan of action and budget for the coming financial period, prepared by the Executing Agency and reviewed by the Standing Committee; Review the proposals of the Standing Committee and approve arrangements for the financing of the Special Programme in that period; Review proposed longer-term plans of action and their financial implications; Review the annual financial statements submitted by the Executing Agency as well as the audit report thereon, submitted by the External Auditor of the Executing Agency; Review periodic reports which evaluate the progress of the Special Programme towards the achievement of its objectives;
(2) (3) (4) (5)
(6)
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(7) (8)
Endorse the proposals of the Executing Agency and the Standing Committee for STAC membership, and Consider such other matters relating to the Special Programme as may be referred to it by any Cooperating Party.
2.2 Composition The JCB shall consist of 30 members from among the Cooperating Parties as follows: (1) (2) Twelve government representatives selected by the contributors to the Special Programme resources; Twelve government representatives selected by the WHO regional committees from among those countries directly affected by the diseases dealt with by the Special Programme, or from among those providing technical or scientific support to the Special Programme; Three members, designated by the JCB itself, from among the remaining Cooperating Parties, and The three Agencies which comprise the Standing Committee.
(3) (4)
Members of the JCB shall serve for a period of three years and may be re-appointed. Other Cooperating Parties may, at their request, be represented as Observers upon approval by the JCB.
3. MEMBERSHIP OF THE JCB FROM THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION At present, the following two Member States from the South-East Asia Region are members of the JCB: Paragraph of Memorandum of Understanding under which selected
Country
Period
Selected by
India Sri Lanka
1998-2000 1999-2001
Regional Committee Regional Committee
2.2.2 2.2.2
4. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE 4.1 Noting of the Report on JCB Session The Regional Committee, at its earlier session, recommended that the JCB members should report to the Consultative Committee for Programme Development and Management (CCPDM) giving a summary of the deliberations of the last JCB session attended by them. The representatives from India and Sri Lanka attended the 23rd session of the JCB, held in Geneva, on 26-27 June 2000. A report on the deliberations of the JCB was presented to the 37th CCPDM, which was held from 30 August 2000 to 2 September 2000. The Regional
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Committee may note the report of the representatives from India and Sri Lanka to the 37th CCPDM.
4.2
Nominations Under Paragraph 2.2.2
As the term of office of India is expiring on 31 December 2000, there will be one vacancy in the SEA Region on 1 January 2001 under paragraph 2.2.2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (governments selected by the WHO Regional Committee). As such, the fifty-third session of the Regional Committee will need to select one country for a three-year term commencing 1 January 2001. With the exception of Sri Lanka, all other countries can be considered for nomination.