Ten countries have today been elected by the World Health Assembly to designate a person to serve on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10 countries are Brazil, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Equatorial Guinea, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Sweden and Venezuela.

They replace Burundi, Canada, the Cook Islands, Cyprus, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Peru and Sri Lanka, whose term of office will end at the closure of the current Assembly on 20 May 2000.

The persons designated will take up their membership of the Board immediately after the closure of the current Assembly. The composition of the Executive Board will thereafter be composed of persons designated by the following countries:

Africa 

• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Congo
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea

Americas

• Brazil
• Chile
• Guatemala
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United States of America
• Venezuela

Eastern Mediterranean

• Iran, Islamic Republic of
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Qatar
• Yemen

Europe

• Belgium
• France
• Italy
• Lithuania
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Russian Federation

South-East Asia 

• Bangladesh
• India
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Western Pacific

• China
• Japan
• Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Vanuatu

The Executive Board consists of 32 persons highly qualified in the field of health and designated by as many Member States, which are chosen by the World Health Assembly on the basis of equitable geographic distribution. The main functions of the Executive Board are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Assembly, to advise it, and generally to facilitate its work. Among other functions, the Executive Board is responsible for preparing the agenda of meetings of the Assembly and for taking emergency measures within the functions and financial resources of the Assembly. In particular, it may authorize the Director-General to take the necessary steps to combat epidemics, to participate in the organization of health relief to victims of a disaster, and to undertake studies and research, the urgency of which has been drawn to the attention of the Board by any Member or by the Director-General.

For further information please contact Gregory Hartl, WHO Press Spokesperson, Geneva. Tel (+41 22) 791 4458, Fax (+41 22) 791 4858. E-mail: hartlg@who.int

All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features can be obtained on Internet on the WHO home page http://www.who.int