WHO’s engagement with non-State actors

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority in global health in line with its constitutional mandate. The global health landscape has become more complex in many respects, including the increase in the number of players in global health arena. WHO engages with non-State actors in view of their significant role in global health for the advancement and promotion of public health and to encourage non-State actors to use their own activities to protect and promote public health.

The Sixty-ninth session of the World Health Assembly has adopted the WHO Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (FENSA). The Framework endeavours to strengthen WHO engagement with non-State actors (NGOs, private sector entities, philanthropic foundations, and academic institutions) while protecting its work from potential risks such as conflict of interest, reputational risks, and undue influence.

In accordance with operative paragraph 3(8) of resolution WHA69.10 concerning the Framework on Engagement with non-State actors, the Director-General was requested, to develop, in consultation with Member States, a set of criteria and principles for secondments from nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic foundations and academic institutions and to submit the criteria and principles for the consideration of and establishment by, as appropriate, the Seventieth World Health Assembly, through the Executive Board, taking into account, amongst others, the following identified issues:

• Specific technical expertise needed and excluding managerial and/or sensitive positions;
• The promotion of equitable geographical distribution;
• Transparency and clarity around positions sought, including public announcements; and
• Secondments are temporary in nature not exceeding two years.

In respect of the above, the Secretariat has developed a document containing proposals for electronic consultation. Kindly note that only comments from Member States will be considered in this consultation.