This series of side events and briefing sessions brings together Member State delegates, experts from WHO, partner agencies and civil society to discuss current priorities, share country initiatives, and highlight actions on vital health issues that affect the Western Pacific Region.
The events will take place during the seventy-fifth session of the Regional Committee at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila, Philippines.
Special event on the WHO Investment Round
Tuesday 22 October 2024, 12:50-13:50 GMT+8, Conference Hall
The Investment Round aims to fund the WHO 2025-2028 strategy which sets a high-level road map for global health and will guide WHO’s work in support of Member States and partners to reinvigorate actions needed to get the health-related Sustainability Development Goals on track. Sustainable funding will enable WHO to stay focused on global health priorities, ensure its integrity, impartiality, and independence from special interests, plan better, maintain a stable workforce, respond faster to emerging threats, ensure fair allocation of funds across the national, regional, and global levels of WHO, and better fund areas that are not currently well resourced. This event will provide a platform for Ministers and senior officials of Member States to highlight their governments’ commitment to WHO and the Investment Round. It will be part of the Regional Committee meeting livestream coverage on X, Facebook, YouTube, and the RCM75 web page.
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Side event on tobacco control
Tuesday 22 October 2024, 16:00-17:00 GMT+8, Conference Hall
Next year marks two significant milestones: the 20th anniversary of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the midterm review of the Regional Action Plan for Tobacco Control in the Western Pacific (2020-2030). This side event will serve as a timely forum to assess progress, identify gaps and challenges, and allow Member States and partners to renew their commitment to protecting current and future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine products. At this event, WHO will launch a new publication, "Two Decades of Action: Strategies to Advance Tobacco Control in the Western Pacific”, and hold a panel discussion to explore Member States’ experiences, persistent challenges, and immediate actions required to advance tobacco control. The event will be part of the Regional Committee meeting livestream coverage on X, Facebook, YouTube, and the RCM75 web page.
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Side event on the Pandemic Fund
Tuesday 22 October 2024, 17:30-18:30 GMT+8, Regional Committee exhibition area
This event aims to enhance understanding and engagement with the Pandemic Fund and highlight its role in building resilient health systems. It provides a platform for dialogue among countries and areas on how the Western Pacific can leverage the Fund to bolster health security and preparedness capacities. Regional Committee heads of delegations plus one are invited to attend. The event will not be part of the Regional Committee meeting livestream coverage.
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Briefing session on the Health4Life Fund
Wednesday 23 October 2024, 12:10-12:55 GMT+8, Conference Hall
This briefing session will introduce the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund to Catalyze Country Action for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health – known as the Health4Life Fund (H4LF), an integral part of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on NCDs. In May 2024, five countries including the Philippines became a H4LF Strategic Partner, endorsing the Fund’s intention to mobilize Global South leadership and funds. The briefing will not be part of the Regional Committee meeting livestream coverage.
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Side event on One Health
Wednesday 23 October 2024, 16:00-17:00 GMT+8, Conference Hall
One Health is a validated, integrated, and holistic approach that aims to address health challenges at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Achieving this requires a coordinated, multisectoral effort that involves key stakeholders to tackle emerging health risks at this critical interface. This side event will explore global and regional One Health initiatives, spotlight country experiences, and serve as a dialogue to learn how countries are engaging in multisectoral coordination for One Health implementation. It will be part of the Regional Committee meeting livestream coverage on X, Facebook, YouTube, and the RCM75 web page.
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Briefing session on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body/Pandemic Agreement
Thursday 24 October 2024, 12:50-13:50 GMT+8, Conference Hall
In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO’s 194 Member States established a process led by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a new convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response – now known as the WHO Pandemic Agreement. At this briefing session, the INB Vice-Chair from the Western Pacific Region will update Member States on the work of the INB and the current status of negotiations. The briefing will not be part of the Regional Committee meeting livestream coverage.
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