EB156

February 2025
Geneva

Official documents page for EB156

EB156/1: Provisional agenda

EB156/1 (annotated): Provisional agenda (annotated)

EB156 White Paper

PHM Integrated Item Commentaries 30 Jan 2025 

See also Tracker Page in French, including Integrated item commentaries. 

Agenda

1
Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda
Documents
Documents
EB156/1: Provisional agenda
EB156/1 (annotated): Provisional agenda (annotated)
Debate
Debate
Session 1: 00:00:00
2
Report of the DG
Documents
Documents
EB156/2
Debate
Debate
Video (Session 1: 00:24:56)
Video Session 2: 00:00:00
3
Reports of regional committees to the Board
Documents
Documents
EB156/3
Debate
Debate
Session 2: 00:34:42
4
Report of PBAC41 to EB
Documents
Documents
EB156/4: Report of PBAC41 to EB
Documents page for PBAC41
Previous meetings of PBAC
Debate
Debate
Session 2: 01:08:04
5
Report of the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Documents
Documents
EB156/5: Report of SCHEPPR to EB
Index page for SCHEPPR
Debate
Debate
Session 8 (1005-1300, 6 Feb): 00:00:00
Session 17, Part 1 (1440-1625, 10 Feb): 00:00:00
Session 19, Part 1 (1010-1045, 11 Feb): 00:00:00
Pillar 1
One billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage
6
Universal health coverage
Documents
Documents
EB156/6: Primary health care
EB156/CONF./1: Strengthening national capacities in evidence-based decision-making for the uptake and impact of norms and standards
EB156/CONF./2: Rare diseases: a global health priority for equity and inclusion
EB156/CONF./3: Strengthening health financing globally
EB156/CONF./17: Strengthening medical imaging capacity
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 4: 01:22:05
Session 5: 00:00:00
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:04:05
Action
Action
EB156(14): Strengthening national capacities in evidence-based decision-making for the uptake and impact of norms and standards
EB156(15): Rare diseases: a global health priority for equity and inclusion
EB156(16): Strengthening health financing globally
EB156(17): Strengthening medical imaging capacity
EB156(19): Promoting and prioritizing an integrated lung health approach
7
Follow up political declaration of the third HLM of the UNGA on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
Documents
Documents
EB156/7: NCDs: Diabetes, Oral health, Mental health action plan 2013–2020 / Cervical cancer
EB156/CONF./4 A dedicated report on mental health for WHO’s governing bodies
EB156/CONF./5 Promoting and prioritizing an integrated lung health approach
EB156/CONF./6 Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease
EB156/CONF./7 Primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments including vision impairment and hearing loss, across the life course
EB156/CONF./13 World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day
PHM Comment
TWN Comment (4 Feb 2025): Cervical Cancer Resolution Overlooks Critical Treatment Disparities
Debate
Debate
Session 5: 01:37:40
Session 6: 00:00:00
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:11:35
Action
Action
EB156(18): A dedicated report on mental health for WHO’s governing bodies
EB156(20): Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease
EB156(21): Primary prevention and integrated care for sensory impairments including vision impairment and hearing loss, across the life course
EB156(22): World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day
8
Mental health and social connection
Documents
Documents
EB156/8
EB156/CONF./18 Fostering social connection for global health: The essential role of social connection in combating loneliness, social isolation and inequities in health
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 6: 01:58:33: Mental health and social connection
Session 7: 00:00:00
Action
Action
EB156/CONF./18: Consensus not achieved; further intersessional consultation required
9
Communcable diseases
Documents
Documents
EB156/9: Leptospirosis and skin diseases
EB156/10: Global road map on defeating meningitis by 2030
PHM comment on leptospirosis and skin infections
EB156/CONF./8 Accelerating the eradication of dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease)
EB156/CONF./9 Skin diseases as a global public health priority
PHM Comment on Global road map on defeating meningitis
Debate
Debate
Session 7: 01:17:05
Session 11 (1020-1300, 7 Feb): 00:37:25
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:20:47
Action
Action
EB156(23): Accelerating the eradication of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease)
EB156(24): Skin diseases as a global public health priority
10
Substandard and falsified medical products
Documents
Documents
EB156/11
EB156/11 Add.1: SFCs Fin & Admin Implication of proposed action
EB156/12: Report of evaluation of member state mechanism
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 11 (1020-1300, 7 Feb): 01:23:30
Session 18 (1855-19:40, 10 Feb): 00:22:20
Action
Action
EB156(25): Substandard and falsified medical products
11
Standardization of medical devices nomenclature
Documents
Documents
EB156/13: Standardisation of medical devices nomenclature
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 11 (1020-1300, 7 Feb): 02:31:10
Session 12 (1435-1740, 7 Feb): 00:00:00
12
Health and care workforce
Documents
Documents
EB156/14: Global code of practice on Int'l recruitment
EB156/15: Global strategy on HR for Health: workforce 2030
EB156/CONF./14 Accelerating action on the global health and care workforce by 2030
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 12 (00:25:40, 7 Feb): 00:25:40
Session 18 (1855-1940): 00:22:03
Action
Action
EB156(26): Interim report of the Expert Advisory Group on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel
EB156(27): Accelerating action on the global health and care workforce by 2030
13
Draft global traditional medicine strategy (2025–2034)
Documents
Documents
EB156/16
EB156/16 Add.1: Trad med: Fin & admin implications of proposed action
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 12 (1435-1740, 7 Feb): 02:44:20
Session 13 (1810-2110, 7 Feb): 00:00:00
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:28:16
Action
Action
EB156(28): Draft WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2025–2034
14
Global strategy for women's children's and adolescents' health
Documents
Documents
EB156/17: GSWCAH
EB156/CONF./12 Incorporation of the World Prematurity Day into the WHO calendar, to strengthen approaches to prevent preterm births and treat and care for preterm infants
EB156/CONF./16 Rev.1 Regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes
IBFAN comment
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 13 (1810-2110, 7 Feb): 01:02:52
Session 14 (1005-1200, 8 Feb): 00:00:00
Session 18 (1855-1940): 00:30:40
Action
Action
EB156(29): Incorporation of the World Prematurity Day into the WHO calendar, to strengthen approaches to prevent preterm births and treat and care for preterm infants
EB156(30) Regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes
Pillar 2
One billion more people better protected from health emergencies
15
WHO's work in emergencies
Documents
Documents
EB156/18
EB156/CONF./15: Strengthening the evidence-base for public health and social measures
PHM Comment
NSA Constituency Statement (KEI, HAI, WCC, WBU, Oxfam): WHO Pandemic Accord
Debate
Debate
Session 8 (1005-1300, 6 Feb): 00:52:32
Session 9 (1440-1730): 00:00:00
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:33:32
Action
Action
Kerry Cullinan, HPW (EB156, 06/02/2025): Crucial WHO Health Emergency Response Faces Budget Cut of 25% Emergency Response
EB156(31) Strengthening the evidence-base for public health and social measures
16
Implementation of resolution WHA75.11 (2022)
Documents
Documents
EB156/19
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 9 (1440-1730, 6 Feb): 00:30:44
17
Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
Documents
Documents
EB156/20
EB156/CONF./19: Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 9 (1440-1730, 6 Feb): 01:08:10
Session 10 (1810-2110, 6 Feb): 00:00:00
Action
Action
EB156.R3 Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem
Elaine Ruth Fletcher, HPW EB156, 07/02/2025): WHO Executive Board Greenlights $648 Million Resolution on WHO Emergency Response to Gaza
18
Universal health and preparedness review
Documents
Documents
EB156/21
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 10 (1810-2110, 6 Feb): 01:03:20
19
Polio
Documents
Documents
EB156/22
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 10 (1810-2110, 6 Feb): 02:02:30
Session 11 (1020-1300, 7 Feb), 00:02:19
Pillar 3
One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being
20
The impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health
Documents
Documents
EB156/23: Impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health
EB156/CONF./10: [Effects of [nuclear weapons and] nuclear war on health and [health] services
EB156/CONF./11 Galvanizing global support for a lead-free future
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 14 (1005-1200, 8 Feb): 01:10:48
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:34:24
Action
Action
EB156/CONF./10. Draft decision does not achieve consensus. Further intersessional consultation required
EB156(32) Galvanizing global support for a lead-free future
21
Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
Documents
Documents
EB156/24
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 14 (1005-1200, 8 Feb): 01:27:25
Session 15 (1445-1730, 8 Feb): 00:00:00
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:36:55
Action
Action
EB156(33) Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution
22
Climate change and health
Documents
Documents
EB156/25: Draft Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 15 (1445-1730, 8 Feb): 00:15:35
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:37:40
Session 19, Part 1 (1010-1045, 11 Feb): 00:24:50
TWN (11 Feb 2025): WHO: Developing Countries call for changes in Climate and Health Draft Action Plan
HPW (21 Feb 2025): Strong Support Among WHO Member States for Health-Focused Action on Climate Change
Action
Action
Draft decision in para 3 of EB156/25 deferred for further intersessional consultation. Afro calling for more on adaptation and h/s resilience.
Pillar 4
More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries
23
Budget and finance matters
Debate
Debate
Session 16 (1010-1300, 10 Feb): 00:00:00
23.1
Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025
Documents
Documents
EB156/26 Rev.1: Fin and Impl of PB24-25
EB156/INF./1: Country presence report
EB156/INF./5: Overview of draft resolutions and decisions, and their costings
EB156/CONF./21: Decision point on resolutions and priorities
EB156/4. PBAC41 Report (Item 3.1), Page 3
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 3: 00:00:00
Session 17, Part 2 (1710-1812, 10 Feb): 00:50:10
Session 18 (1855-1940): 00:00:00
Action
Action
EB156 White Paper [Resolutions and Priorities]
HPW Report (5 Feb 2025): Argentina Withdraws from WHO, Executive Board Pauses Approval of New Resolutions Pending Cost Reviews
EB156(13): Decision point on resolutions and priorities, including those recommended by the 156th session of the Executive Board for adoption by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly
23.2
Proposed programme budget 2026–2027
Documents
Documents
EB156/27
EB156/INF./6 Assessed contributions: draft calculations for the year 2026
PHM Comment
EB156/4: PBAC41 Report (Item 3.2, page 4)
Debate
Debate
Session 3: 01:33:37
John Zarocostas (Lancet, 15 Feb 2025): WHO downsizing needed, Executive Board hears
TWN (10 Feb 2025): WHO: Member States differ on response to U.S. withdrawal from WHO
Action
Action
Stefan Anderson HPW (EB156, 04/02/2025): WHO Faces China Pushback on Member State Fee Increase – Even After Slashing Budget Following US Exit
23.3
Scale of assessments 2026–2027 [if any]
23.4
Amendments to the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules [if any]
24
Management and governance matters
24.1
Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment
Documents
Documents
EB156/28
PBAC41 Report (Item 3.5, page 9)
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 17, Part 1 (1440-1625): 00:16:16
24.2
Governance reform
Documents
Documents
EB156/29: Member State-led governance reform
EB156/30: Process for handling and investigating potential allegations against WHO DG
EB156/CONF./23 Process for handling and investigating potential allegations against WHO Directors General
EB156/31: Draft terms of reference to strengthen the effectiveness of the functioning of the Officers of the Executive Board
EB156/32: Secretariat Implementation Plan on reform
EB156/33: Involvement of non-State actors in WHO’s governing bodies
EB156/4: PBAC41 Report (Item 3.4, page 6)
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 2: 01:22:16
Session 19, Part 2 (1130-1205, 11 Feb): 00:00:00
Action
Action
EB156(1) Member State-led governance reform
EB156(2): Process for handling and investigating potential allegations against WHO Directors-General
EB156(3): Terms of reference to strengthen the effectiveness of the functioning of the Officers of the Executive Board
24.3
Global strategies or action plans that are scheduled to expire within one year
Documents
Documents
EB156/34: Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021–2025
PHM Comment on Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery
EB156/35: Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025
PHM Comment on Global Strategy for Digital Health
EB156/36: Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017–2025
EB156/36 Add.1 Dementia: Fin & admin implications of proposed action
PHM Comment on Global Action plan on Public health response to Dementia
EB156/37: Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition
EB156/CONF./20: Extension of the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition
PHM Comment on Comprehensive Implementation Plan for Mat Inf and YC Nutrition
Debate
Debate
Session 15 (1445-1730, 8 Feb): 02:13:40
Session 16 (1010-1300, 10 Feb): 01:12:41
Session 18 (1855-1940, 10 Feb): 00:41:16
Action
Action
EB156(34) Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021–2025: extension
EB156(35) Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025: extension
EB156(36) Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017–2025: extension
EB156(37) Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition: extension
24.4
Engagement with non-State actors
Documents
Documents
EB156/38: Report on the implementation of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors
EB156/39: Non-State actors in official relations with WHO
EB156/39 Add.1: NSAs in official relations with WHO: Draft decision
EB156/39 Add.2: Non-State actors in official relations with WHO
EB156/4: PBAC41 Report (Item 3.1, page 13)
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
Session 20 (1440-1530, 11 Feb): 00:00:00: Fierce debate, range of issues canvassed, conflict particularly around sexual and productive rights and gender diversity
HPW (11 Feb 2025): WHO Director General Appeals Once More to United States to ‘Reconsider’ Withdrawal Decision
Action
Action
EB156(41) Non-State actors in official relations with WHO
24.5
International Health Regulations (2005): proposed procedure for the correction of errors in the text of the instrument
Documents
Documents
EB156/40
EB156/INF./2
Debate
Debate
Session 17, Part 1 (1440-1625): 00:04:56
Session 18 (1855-1940): 00:45:00
Action
Action
EB156(38) International Health Regulations (2005): proposed procedure for the correction of errors in the text of the instrument
25
Provisional agenda of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly and date and place of the 157th session of the Executive Board
Documents
Documents
EB156/41
EB156/42: Date and place of 157th session of the EB
Debate
Debate
Session 17, Part 2 (1710-1825): 00:00:00
Action
Action
EB156(11): Provisional agenda of WHA78
EB156(12): Date and place of EB157
26
Committees of the EB
Debate
Debate
Session 16 (1010-1300, 10 Feb): 02:06:40
Session 17, Part 1 (1440-1625, 10 Feb): 00:00:00
26.1
Foundation committees and selection panels
Documents
Documents
EB156/43
Action
Action
EB156(5) Award of the Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health
EB156(6) Award of the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize
EB156(7) Award of the Sasakawa Health Prize
EB156(8) Award of the State of Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation’s His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Ageing
EB156(9) Award of the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion
26.2
Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee: membership renewal [if any]
26.3
Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Documents
Documents
EB156/44: Dates for sixth meeting of the Standing Committee
EB156/45: Findings of the review on the functioning and impact of the Standing Committee
EB156/CONF./22 Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Draft decision
PHM Comment
Debate
Debate
TWN (7 Feb 2025): WHO: States doubtful on mandate extension for Standing Committee on Health Emergencies
Action
Action
EB156(10): Dates of the sixth meeting of the SCHEPP&R
EB156(39) Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response
27
Staffing matters
Documents
Documents
EB156/4: PBAC41 Report: Human resources update (EB156/48) / Amendments to staff regs & rules / Report of ICSC
Debate
Debate
Session 17 Part 1 (1440-1625): 01:01:20 (Items 27.5, 27.6, & 27.7)
27.1
Appointment of the Regional Director for Africa
Documents
Documents
EB156/46
Debate
Debate
Session 4: 00:00:00
Action
Action
EB156.R1 Expression of appreciation to Dr Matshidiso Moeti
EB156(4) Appointment of the Regional Director for Africa: inclusion of an item on the provisional agenda of the 157th session of the Executive Board
Elaine Ruth Fletcher, HPW (EB156, 04/02/2025): New African Regional Director To be Installed by Early June
27.2
Appointment of the Regional Director for Europe
Documents
Documents
EB156/47
Debate
Debate
Session 4: 00:40:15
Action
Action
EB156.R2 Appointment of the Regional Director for Europe
27.3
Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations
Documents
Documents
EB156/INF./3
EB156/4: PBAC41 Report (Item 3.6, page 11)
Debate
Debate
Session 17, Part 1 (1440-1625, 10 Feb): 00:35:35
27.4
Report of the Ombudsperson
Documents
Documents
EB156/INF./4
EB156/4: PBAC41 Report (Item 3.7, page 11)
27.5
Human resources: update
Documents
Documents
EB156/48: Human resources update
EB156/49: Implementation of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, including the WHO policy on disability
27.6
Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules [if any]
Documents
Documents
EB156/50
Action
Action
EB156.R4: Confirmation of amendments to the Staff Rules
EB156.R5: Salaries of staff in ungraded positions and of the Director-General
EN156.R6: Facts anterior
EB156.R7: Confirmation of amendments to the Staff Rules: facts anterior and notice of termination
27.7
Report of the International Civil Service Commission
Documents
Documents
EB156/51
28
Report on meetings of expert committees and study groups
Documents
Documents
EB156/52
EB156/52 Add.1
Debate
Debate
Session 19, Part 1 (1010-1045, 11 Feb): 00:20:33
29
Closure
Debate
Debate
Session 20 (1440-1530, 11 Feb): 00:36:14