WHO Euro: Regional Committee To Set Health Priorities
On September, 11 2017 in Budapest, Hungary, health ministers and high-level representatives of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, along with partner organizations and civil society – including IOGT International, will gather for the annual WHO Regional Committee for Europe. Alcohol policy will among the agenda items discussed.
The committees provide an opportunity to discuss and make decisions related to key health priorities in the Region. In this year’s 67th session, and in alignment with the Health 2020 policy framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, participants will consider topics ranging from building a sustainable health workforce to improving the environment and health.
Agenda driven by overarching health policies and frameworks
This year, participants at the Regional Committee will consider for adoption a Roadmap that will provide direction for countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on the work that countries have already done to implement the Region’s Health 2020 policy framework. All topics on the agenda support and strengthen efforts to implement these overarching policies, including:
- improving the environment and health, with a focus on outcomes of the 6th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health;
- working towards a sustainable health workforce in the WHO European Region through a framework for action;
- strengthening Member State collaboration on improving access to medicines in the WHO European Region;
- accelerating implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) and strengthening laboratory capacities for better health in the WHO European Region; and
- building regional partnerships for health.
The decisions taken and policies adopted at the Regional Committee will serve as collective commitments for countries of the Region, ensuring cohesive and coordinated approaches to some of the most pressing health issues facing Europe.
Take part in IOGT’s advocacy and follow the proceedings
The 4-day programme also includes progress reports on the implementation of the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020, the European food and nutrition action plan 2015–2020, and the European mental health action plan.
Countries of the Region, WHO and partners collaborate throughout the year in areas included on the Regional Committee’s agenda. The lead up to the Regional Committee offers the opportunity to review some of these efforts.
To follow IOGT’s advocacy and the proceedings of the 67th session of the Regional Committee for Europe, watch the live webcast 11−14 September and join the social media conversation and follow real-time coverage on Twitter using the hashtag #RC67.