REGIONAL COMMITTEE
Provisional Agenda item 13.1
Fifty-seventh Session Kurumba Resort, Maldives 7-9 September 2004
SEA/RC57/3
9 July 2004
UNDP/WORLD BANK/WHO SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN TROPICAL DISEASES: JOINT COORDINATING BOARD (JCB) – REPORT ON ATTENDANCE AT 2004 JCB AND NOMINATION OF A MEMBER IN PLACE OF THAILAND WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON 31 DECEMBER 2004.
CONTENTS Page
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................1 2. JOINT COORDINATING BOARD.....................................................................................1 2.1 2.2 Functions ....................................................................................................................1 Composition................................................................................................................2
3. MEMBERSHIP OF THE JCB FROM THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION.....................2 4. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE ..........................................2 4.1 4.2 Noting of the Report on JCB Session....................................................................... 2 Nominations Under Paragraph 2.2.2 ........................................................................ 3
5. OBSERVERS AT JCB SESSIONS....................................................................................3
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 (2) 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.
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 the 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;
(2) (3) (4) (5)
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(6) (7) (8)
Review periodic reports which evaluate the progress of the Special Programme towards the achievement of its objectives; 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 three 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 Thailand Myanmar
2004 – 2006 2002 – 2004 2004 - 2006
Contributors Regional Committee Regional Committee
2.2.1 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 an earlier session, recommended that JCB members should
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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, Myanmar and Thailand are expected to report on the deliberations of the 27th session of JCB to be held in Geneva on 28-29 June 2004, to the 41st CCPDM, to be held from 19-21 July 2004 in the Regional Office. The Regional Committee may note the report of the representatives from India, Myanmar and Thailand to the 41st CCPDM.
4.2 Nominations Under Paragraph 2.2.2 There was one vacancy from the South-East Asia Region on 1 January 2004 under paragraph 2.2.2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (governments selected by the WHO Regional Committee) when the term of office of Government of Bangladesh expired on 31 December 2003. The Regional Committee, at its Fifty-sixth session held in the Regional Office, during 10-12 September 2003, nominated Myanmar to fill up the vacancy. Myanmar is now a member of the TDR Joint Coordinating Board for three years wef 1 January 2004. India’s term as a member of the TDR Joint Coordinating Board for the period 2001-2003 has also been renewed for three years, 2004-2006, by the Contributors. There will be one vacancy from the South-East Asia Region on 1 January 2005 under paragraph 2.2.2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (governments selected by the WHO Regional Committee) when the term of office of Thailand expires on 31 December 2004. As such, the Fifty-seventh session of the Regional Committee is required to select one country in place of Thailand.
5.
OBSERVERS AT JCB SESSIONS • Currently, three countries of the Region, namely Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal have observer status at JCB meetings. This status will continue until such time as they ask or the JCB asks to terminate it; If any of the JCB Cooperating Countries of the Region wish to apply for observer status, they should make a request to the JCB Standing Committee. The last date for making such a request is 28 May 2004. Observers attend JCB sessions at their own expense.
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