The World Health Assembly (WHA), the supreme decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), wrapped-up its sixtieth session Wednesday.
The Assembly reached last-minute agreement on two key resolutions on Pandemic influenza preparedness and Public health, innovation and intellectual property.
The Assembly also approved the largest-ever budget for the Organization. The budget for 2008-2009 will stand at 4,2 billion US dollar, an increase of nearly 1 billion from the 3,3 billion dollar approved for 2006-2007.
The new budget highlights the continued trend of increased investment in global public health. For WHO it means being able to provide more support to countries, in close collaboration with UN and other partners.
For the first time, this budget is part of a six-year strategic plan for the Organization, which Member States also adopted at the Assembly.
FUGLEINFLUENZA
Member States agreed a resolution which will help all countries better prepare for the global public health threat which an influenza pandemic presents.
The resolution requests WHO to establish an international stockpile of vaccines for H5N1 or other influenza viruses of pandemic potential, and to formulate mechanisms and guidelines aimed at ensuring fair and equitable distribution of pandemic-influenza vaccines at affordable prices in the event of a pandemic.
It also tasks an interdisciplinary working group with drawing up new Terms of Reference (TORs) for the WHO Influenza Collaborating Centre Network and its laboratories, for the sharing of influenza viruses, and tranparent sharing of research.
SUNDHED, INNOVATION OG EJERSKAB AF VIDEN
The Assembly also reached a last-minute agreement on public health, innovation and intellectual property.
The resolution expressed appreciation to the Director-General for her commitment to the process of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the issue and encouraged her to guide the process to draw up a global strategy and plan of action.
STØRSTE BUDGET NOGENSINDE OG REKORDMANGE RESOLUTIONER
The Assembly approved a budget for 2008-2009 of $4.2 billion (23,3 mia. d. kr.), an increase of nearly $1 billion (5,5 mia. d. kr.)from the 2006-2007 budget.
The new budget highlights the continued trend of increased investment in global public health.
For WHO it means being able to provide more support to countries, in close collaboration with UN and other partners.
For the first time, this budget is part of a six-year strategic plan for the Organization, which Member States also adopted at the Assembly.
The Assembly adopted a record number of resolutions on public health issues and on the technical and administrative work of WHO.
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