WHA73

November 2020
Geneva

This page deals with the meeting of WHA73 conducted in two sessions first in May and then resumed in November. 

The the abridged session of the Assembly met on line, using video conferencing technology, and considered a limited portion of the provisional agenda only. The Committees of the Health Assembly did not convene on this occasion. 

The Assembly was suspended after considering the abridged agenda, and resumed later in f2f and virtual mode from 9-14 November 2020.

See:

Agenda

1
Opening of Health Assembly (including adoption of agenda)
Documents
Documents
A73/1 Rev.2 (10 Nov 2020)
A73/1 Rev.1 (15 Oct 2020)
A73/1 - Abridged agenda, Taiwan observer status, special procedures (6 Apr 2020)
A73/1 Add.1 - Provisional agenda (abridged) (29 Apr 2020)
A73/1 Add.2 - Proposal for supplementary agenda item (Taiwan observer status) (15 May 2020)
A73/33 - Special procedures (17 May 2020)
PHM comment
A73/42 - Special procedures
A73/43 - Address by DG
A73/INF./5 - Decision-making and procedural issues on the virtual system
A73/INF./6 - Proposed modalities for the Seventy-third World Health Assembly (resumed)
Debate
Debate
Summary report of discussion in Journal #2 (10 November)
Action
Action
WHA73(1) Election of officers for WHA73
WHA73(2) - Special procedures
WHA73(3) - Verification of credentials
WHA73(4) - Adoption of agendas (and deferral of supplementary item)
2
Report of EB on its 145th, 146th meetings
Documents
Documents
A73/2 (24 July 2020)
Debate
Debate
Report in Journal of 10 November
3
Address by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General
Documents
Documents
A73/3 (18 May 2020)
A73/CONF./1 Draft resolution "COVID-19 Response" (the 'EU draft') (18 May 2020)
A73/CONF./1 Rev.1 - Draft resolution "COVID-19 Response" (the 'EU draft') - Revised (18 May 2020)
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73.1 - COVID-19 Response (19 May 2020)
4
Invited speaker/s
5
Admission of new members and associate members (deleted)
6
Executive Board election
Action
Action
WHA73(5) - Election of Members entitled to designate a person to serve on the Executive Board (19 May 2020)
7
Awards
Documents
Documents
A73/INF./1 (8 May 2020)
8
Reports of main committees
9
Closure of Assembly
Documents
Documents
A73/34 - Closure of the Health Assembly Suspension of the session (17 May 2020)
A73/35 - Closure of the Health Assembly Written silence procedure (17 Nay 2020)
DG's Closing remarks (19 May)
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73(6) - Selection of country for WHA74 (19 May 2020)
WHA73(7) - Written silence procedure (19 May 2020)
WHA73(8) - Suspension of session (19 May 2020)
10
Opening of Committee A
11
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board (Pillar 1: UHC)
Debate
Debate
Report of Mtg A4 in Jnl #4 reports on discussion of Items 11.1 to 11.9
Report of A5 in Jnl #4 includes report of discussion on Items 11 (1-9)
Report of A6 in Jnl #5 includes disc of Item s 11(1-9)
11.1
Primary health care
Documents
Documents
A73/4 - Consolidated report of DG
EB146/5 Primary health care Draft operational framework Primary health care: transforming vision into action
EB146(18) - Primary health care
PHM comment
11.2
Follow-up to the high-level meetings of the UN GA on health-related issues
Documents
Documents
A73/4 - Consolidated report from DG
A73/5 - Consolidated report
EB146/6 FU to HLMs of UNGA: UHC
EB146/7 FU to HLMs at UNGA: NCDs
EB146/7 Add.1 FU to HLMs of UNGA: NCDs: harmful use of alcohol
EB146(14) Accelerating action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol
PHM comment
11.3
Global vaccine action plan
Documents
Documents
A73/4 - Consolidated report
A73/6 - GVAP: Meningitis prevention and control
A73/7 - GVAP: Draft immunization vision and strategy: “Immunization Agenda 2030”
EB146/8 - Global vaccine action plan
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73(9) - Immunization Agenda 2030 (adopted silently, 3 Aug)
WHA73.9 - Global road map on defeating meningitis by 2030
11.4
Accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a global public health problem
Documents
Documents
EB146.R6 - Cervical cancer prevention and control: accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem
A73/4
EB146/9 Accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a global public health problem
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73.2 - Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem and its associated goals and targets for the period 2020–2030
11.5
Ending TB
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146.R7 - Global strategy for tuberculosis research and innovation
EB146/10 Ending tuberculosis Progress in implementing the global strategy and targets for tuberculosis prevention, care and control after 2015 (the End TB Strategy)
EB146/11 Ending tuberculosis Draft global strategy for tuberculosis research and innovation
Global TB Report 2020
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73.3 - Global strategy for tuberculosis research and innovation
11.6
Epilepsy
Documents
Documents
A73/5
EB146/12 Epilepsy
EB146(8) Epilepsy
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73.10 - Global actions on epilepsy and other neurological disorders
11.7
Integrated, people-centred eye care, including preventable blindness and impaired visio
Documents
Documents
A73/4 - DG's Integrated report (12 May)
EB146.R8 - Integrated people-centred eye care, including preventable vision impairment and blindness
PHM comment
EB146/13 Integrated, people-centred eye care, including preventable blindness and impaired vision
Action
Action
WHA73.4 - Integrated people-centred eye care, including preventable vision impairment and blindness
11.8
Neglected tropical diseases
Documents
Documents
A73/8 - NTDs
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73(33) - Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030
11.9
Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146(10) - Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property
EB146/15 Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73(11) - Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property (adopted silently 3 Aug 2020)
12
WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel
Documents
Documents
A73/9 - WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (8 May)
Debate
Debate
Jnl #4 reports on discussion in B4 of Item 12
Action
Action
WHA73(30) - Human resources for health
13
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board (Pillar 2: Emergencies)
Debate
Debate
Summary report of A1 in Journal #2 (10 Nov) including Items 13.1, 13.2, and 14
Summary report of A2 in Journal #3 (11 Nov) including Items 13.1, 13.2, and 14
Summary report of A3 in Jnl #3 (11 Nov) incl Items 13.1, 13.2, 14
Report of A4 in Jnl #4 includes Items 13.3 (flu), 13.4 (cholera), 13.5 (polio)
13.1
Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Documents
Documents
A73/10 - Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme
See updates from three high level reviews from EBSS5 (Item 4)
PHM comment
13.2
WHO’s work in health emergencies
Documents
Documents
A73/11 - WHO’s work in health emergencies (12 June)
EB146.R10 - Strengthening preparedness for health emergencies: implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)
See discussion of Covid-19 at EBSS5
A73/INF./4 - Progress report from the Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73.8 - Strengthening preparedness for health emergencies: implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)
WHA73.1 Covid-19 respones
13.3
Influenza preparedness
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146(19) - Influenza preparedness
EB146/18 Influenza preparedness
A73/4 Add.1 - Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits Biennial reporting on implementation
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73(14) - Influenza preparedness (adopted silently 3 Aug)
13.4
Cholera prevention and control
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146/20 Public health emergencies: preparedness and response Cholera prevention and control
PHM comment
13.5
Polio
Documents
Documents
A73/12 - Polio eradication
A73/13 - Polio transition planning and polio post-certification
EB146(11) Polio eradication
PHM comment
14
IHRs
Documents
Documents
A73/14 - IHRs
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73.8 - Strengthening preparedness for health emergencies: implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)
15
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board (Pillar 3)
Debate
Debate
Summary report of B3 in Jnl #3 (11 Nov) incl Items 15.1, 15.2, 15.3
15.1
Decade of healthy ageing
Documents
Documents
A73/5
A73/INF./2 - Decade of Healthy Ageing The Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016–2020: towards a world in which everyone can live a long and healthy life
EB146(13) - Decade of healthy ageing
EB146/23 Decade of Healthy Ageing Development of a proposal for a Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020–2030
PHM comment
Action
Action
A73(12) - Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020–2030 (adopted silently Aug 3)
15.2
Maternal, infant and young child nutrition
Documents
Documents
A73/4
A73/4 Add.2
EB146(20) - Maternal, infant and young child nutrition
EB146/24 Maternal, infant and young child nutrition Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition: biennial report
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73(26) - Maternal, infant and young child nutrition
15.3
Accelerating efforts on food safety
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146.R9 - Strengthening efforts on food safety
EB146/25 Accelerating efforts on food safety
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73.5 - Strengthening efforts on food safety (adopted silently 3 Aug)
16
Opening of Committee B
17
Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
Documents
Documents
A73/15 - Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
Debate
Debate
Jnl #5 reports on B6 incl discussion of Item 17
Action
Action
WHA73(32) - Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
18
Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board (Pillar 4)
Debate
Debate
Summary report of B1 in Journal #2 (10 Nov) including items 18.1 to 18.9
Summary report of B2 in Journal #3 (11 Nov) including items 18.1 to 18.9
Summary report of B3 in Jnl #3 (11 Nov) incl items 18.1 to 18.9
18.1
Programme Budget 2020-2021
Documents
Documents
A73/4
A73/16 Rev.1
EB146/28 Rev.1 Programme budget 2020–2021 WHO results framework: an update
EB146/29 Programme budget 2020–2021 WHO resource mobilization strategy
A73/36 - PBAC advice
PHM comment
18.2
Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2018–2019 and outlook on financing of the Programme budget 2020–2021
Documents
Documents
A73/17
PHM comment
A73/37 - PBAC advice
18.3
Geneva buildings renovation strategy
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146(3)
Action
Action
WHA73(10) - Geneva buildings renovation strategy
18.4
WHO Reform
Documents
Documents
A73/4
A73/18 - WHO reform: Travel entitlements of the Chair of the Executive Board
A73/19 - WHO reform: World health days
EB146/31 WHO reform Written statements: guidelines for Member States
PHM comment
EB146/32 WHO reform Governance
EB146(16) - Travel entitlements of the Chair of the Executive Board and other Board members
EB146(21) - WHO reform: governance
Action
Action
WHA73(13) - WHO reform: travel and other entitlements of the Chair of the Executive Board and other Board members
WHA73(15) - WHO reform: governance
18.5
Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization
Documents
Documents
A73/20 - Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization
EB146(22) - Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization
A73/20 Add.1 - Informal consultations on the evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization
A73/20 Add.2 - Fin and admin implications
A73/41 - PBAC advice
Action
Action
WHA73(16) - Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization
WHA73.6 - Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization: amendments to contract
18.6
Data and innovation: draft global strategy on digital health
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146(15)
EB146/26 Data and innovation: draft global strategy on digital health
A73/4 Add.3 - Fin & admin implications
PHM comment
Action
Action
WHA73(28) - Global strategy on digital health
18.7
Human resources: annual report
Documents
Documents
A73/21 - HR Annual Report
PHM comment
A73/40 PBAC advice
18.8
Report of the International Civil Service Commission
Documents
Documents
A73/4
EB146/50 Report of the International Civil Service Commission
18.9
Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules
Documents
Documents
A73/22
EB146.R5
Action
Action
WHA73(16) - Evaluation of the election of the Director-General of the World Health Organization
19
Appointment of representatives to the WHO Staff Pension Committee
Documents
Documents
A73/23 Rev.1
Debate
Debate
Summary report of B2 in Jnl #3 (11 Nov) including Item 19
Action
Action
WHA73(25) Appointment of representatives to the WHO Staff Pension Committee
20
Financial matters
Debate
Debate
Jnl #4 reports on discussion (B4) of Items 20.1 and 20.2
20.1
WHO programmatic and financial report for 2018–2019, including audited financial statements for 2019
Documents
Documents
A73/24
A73/25
A73/INF./3
PHM comment
A73/24 Corr.1
A73/37 - PBAC advice
Action
Action
WHA73(29) - WHO programmatic and financial report for 2018–2019, including audited financial statements for 2019
20.2
Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution
Documents
Documents
A73/26
A73/38 - PBAC advice
Action
Action
WHA73(31) Status of collection of assessed contributions, including Member States in arrears in the payment of their contributions to an extent that would justify invoking Article 7 of the Constitution
20.3
Special arrangements for settlement of arrears [item deleted]
20.4
Amendments to Financial Regulations and Financial Rules [item deleted]
20.5
Assessment of new Members and Associate Members [item deleted]
21
Audit and oversight matters
Debate
Debate
Summary report of Mtg B2 in Journal #3 (11 Nov) incl Items 21.1, 21.2, 21.3
21.1
Report of the External Auditor
Documents
Documents
A73/27
PHM comment
A73/39 - PBAC advice
Action
Action
WHA73(24) - Report of the External Auditor
21.2
Report of the Internal Auditor
Documents
Documents
A73/28
A73/39 - PBAC advice
PHM comment
21.3
External and internal audit recommendations: progress on implementation
Documents
Documents
A73/29 - External and internal audit recommendations: progress on implementation
A73/39 - PBAC advice
22
Collaboration within the United Nations system and with other intergovernmental organizations
Documents
Documents
A73/30 - Reform of the United Nations development system and implications for WHO
A73/31 - IARC: amendments to Statute [deleted]
Debate
Debate
Summary report of B2 in Jnl #3 (11 Nov) incl Item 22
23
Progress reports
Documents
Documents
A73/32
A73/32 Add.1
PHM comment
Debate
Debate
Jnl #4 reports on consideration of Item 23 in meeting B4