The WHO Regional Committee for Europe
– an explainer
What is the Regional Committee?
The WHO Regional Committee for Europe is WHO’s highest decision-making body in the European Region, comprising all 53 Member States. It convenes once a year for a 3-day session. Ministers of health and high-level dignitaries meet at the Regional Committee sessions to shape political commitment and action to improve the health and health conditions of the people living in the Region.
At these annual sessions, Member States:
- formulate regional policies;
- oversee and review WHO/Europe’s activities;
- comment on the regional component of WHO’s proposed programme budget;
- take note of reports monitoring progress made on various commitments made by WHO;
- consider, revise and endorse new health initiatives;
- adopt new resolutions and decisions that steer the work of WHO/Europe and country offices for the coming years,
- nominate (every 5 years) the Regional Director for Europe, and transmit their decision to the WHO Executive Board for endorsement.
Who sets the agenda?
The agenda for the sessions of the Regional Committee is developed by the Regional Director in close consultation with the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee (SCRC), an advisory body of 12 elected Member State representatives, which on behalf of the Regional Committee ensures implementation of its decisions, makes any proposals and advises the Regional Director.
To stimulate interactive and productive discussions, the agenda is organized around 3 dimensions: political, technical and governance. At the margins of the session, a series of briefings and side events are organized, some of which are co-hosted by certain Member States or organizations, to exchange information on specific topical health issues.
Who conducts the session?
Sessions of the Regional Committee are chaired by a President, who is assisted by an Executive President, a Deputy Executive President and a Rapporteur. These Officers of the Regional Committee are elected at the start of each meeting based on nominations made by the SCRC. They hold office until the next session when their successors are elected.
Links and similarities with the global level
The Regional Committee’s role and composition is comparable to that of the World Health Assembly at global level. Similarly, the Executive Board supports and advises the World Health Assembly, in between sessions, as the SCRC does at regional level.
WHO’s strategy, which is defined in the Thirteenth General Programme of Work, is implemented at regional level through the European Programme of Work 2020–2025 (EPW) – “United Action for Better Health in Europe”, which was adopted at the 70th session of the Regional Committee for Europe (2020).
The Regional Committee also reviews the regional plan for implementation of the programme budget that was adopted at global level. It is also invited to reflect on the regional implications of resolutions and decisions endorsed by the World Health Assembly.
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