Leveraging partnerships for collective and transformative actions to achieve health for all by all

REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE October 2022 EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN Sixty-ninth session Cairo, Egypt, 10–13 October 2022 LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS FOR COLLECTIVE AND TRANSFORMATIVE ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE HEALTH FOR ALL BY ALL Objectives of the event A panel discussion will be held on 12 October 2022 on leveraging partnerships for collective and transformative actions to achieve health for all by all. The discussion will be contextualized to the Eastern Mediterranean Region and framed around the following key questions: (a) What kinds of partnerships are needed in the post COVID-19 era? How can we strengthen the links between formal and informal actors and ensure that the comparative advantages of each partner are utilized optimally? (b) How do we create an enabling policy and regulatory environment within countries for establishing and implementing partnerships, with specific reference to the engagement of the private sector and nongovernmental organizations, and what role can WHO play to support? (c) How can we enhance partner engagement for effective multisectoral action to address public health challenges? The objectives of the event are to:  highlight the need for collective action to address health challenges and demonstrate the added value of partnerships in the post COVID-19 era;  share global and regional experiences and perspectives on key policy, regulatory and accountability dimensions that need to be addressed to successfully upscale partnerships at country and regional levels;  identify the challenges that constrain establishing partnerships in order to inform further action; and  strengthen WHO’s leadership role in promoting and supporting collective action in the Region. Background To achieve the vision of health for all by all and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires leveraging all assets in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond to achieve a positive impact on the health of populations. Expansion of partnerships at both country and regional levels is therefore a key strategic objective of WHO’s regional vision, Vision 2023, and its related strategy. Both the midterm review of Vision 2023 and an internal review by the Incident Management Support Team for COVID-19 recognized the progress made in establishing and expanding partnerships in the Region, but reiterated the need for continued focus and lesson learning from the process. Challenges in the Region The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces multiple humanitarian emergencies, political instability and weak health systems, all of which makes accelerating progress on the SDGs and Vision 2023 extremely challenging. There is a suboptimal enabling environment for leveraging partnerships between relevant stakeholders, both within countries and at the regional level. In addition, there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate the impact of partnerships and to inform policy and practice. 2 Expected outcomes  Awareness is raised on the need for collective action and added value of enhancing partnerships in the Region to address health challenges.  Better comprehension of policy and practice issues surrounding the enhancement of partnerships at both country and regional levels.  Challenges and potential solutions are identified to inform further action.  WHO’s role is strengthened as the leader and key influencer in promoting and supporting collective action for health in the Region.