WHO Regional Committees factsheet

What is the WHO?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for international health within the United Nations’ (UN) system.  It is responsible for providing leadership on global health, by shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, formulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends.  WHO is an important partner because of its pivotal role in global health.  

What is a WHO Regional Committee?

Each of the six WHO world regions has a Regional Committee, which addresses the specific public health needs of that area. Regional Committees create regional health policies and programmes, approve budgets, and supervise the activities of the relevant Regional Office. The Committees meet at least once a year, and cover: Africa, South East Asia, Europe, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific.

Dates and locations for the 2015 Regional Committee meetings are published on WHO’s Regional Committee webpage.   

How does IAPO work with WHO Regional Committees?

In 2007 IAPO was granted WHO official relations status, in recognition of our work on Patients for Patients’ Safety. This means that we are part of a formal process of engagement with WHO, and can meet with technical staff and ministerial delegations, respond to consultations, and attend meetings and events. At meetings, IAPO may make “interventions”. These are written or oral statements, based on policy positions and principles, which have been previously agreed on consultation with our members. They may reinforce key IAPO messages, or call for action. Members who attend WHO meetings on our behalf agree to represent us, and may therefore have the opportunity to read out an IAPO intervention.   

How can my organization get involved?

Members can respond to IAPO consultations throughout the year, which are used as the basis of IAPO’s policy and principles. Furthermore, as part of our regional development strategy, in 2015 we will support the attendance of a maximum of one IAPO Member representative per region, to accompany a board member to a Regional Committee meeting.

Members can read more about the support IAPO offers to, by reading our invitation, and can apply to attend as our representative by completing our application form.  

Terms and conditions

There are a few terms and conditions for representing IAPO at a WHO Regional Committee meeting.  

Image source: www.who.int/about/regions/en/