Dear members of the Executive Board and Mission focal points,

 

We look forward to welcoming you next week to the 144^th session of the WHO Executive Board. The meeting will open at 9:00 on Thursday, 24 January. Please find below a few details about the meeting for your advance information.

 

SEATING IN EXECUTIVE BOARD ROOM

 

As with previous sessions, due to the large number of participants registered for the 144th session of the Executive Board and the limited capacity of the Executive Board room, in addition to the EB meeting badges, two country badges will be allocated to each delegation that is not a member of the Executive Board, for at least the first three days of the session. The country badges are interchangeable within the delegation and will be given to Member States when they pick up their name plate.

 

Other delegation members will be able to observe the session from the gallery, the overflow room (Salle A), and in the lobby of the WHO headquarters where live video will be available.  Please note that the sessions of the Executive Board will also be webcast and can be accessed in the six official languages at the following internet link:

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/executive-board-144th-session/. The link will be live on Thursday, 24 January 2019 as of 9:00.

 

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

 

Under Item 2, Report of the Director-General, the Director-General will summarize key achievements of the past year, according to each of the three “triple billion” targets: universal health coverage (UHC), health security and healthier lives and well-being. These achievements include major strides towards UHC in several countries, effective responses to multiple emergencies, and the launching of several new initiatives to address leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

 

The Director-General will also summarize efforts to support the implementation of the 13th General Programme of Work (GPW), including the launching of WHO’s first Investment Case, the development of the impact framework, and the ongoing transformation project. He will describe the various components of transformation, and provide a timeline for completion of those components. He will also give an overview of anticipated highlights for 2019, including the completion of the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-Being, the High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage at the United Nations General Assembly in September and the ongoing implementation of the GPW and transformation.

 

PAPERLESS AND PLASTIC FREE MEETING

 

As agreed by EB143 in May 2018, governing body meetings will be paperless unless documents are ordered in advance.  For Delegations that have requested for hard copies, one set of documents will be available for collection at the document distribution counter in the second basement (SS2) daily from 7:30 starting on 21 January for PBAC documents and 24 January for EB documents.  Relevant documentation for the meeting can be accessed at the following link http://apps.who.int/gb/gov/

 

To promote the use of digital documents, one tablet per each delegation will be made available for collection in front of the EB room as from 21 January at 8:00.

 

In an effort to reduce its environmental footprint and to ensure sustainability, WHO is introducing a new plastic-free policy. In addition to working with our cafeteria to reduce use of plastics in the food supply chain, delegations are encouraged to bring their own water bottles (or as a minimum to reuse purchased drink bottles)

 

DRAFT RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS

 

Member States may submit a draft resolution or decision to GBS no later than the close of the first day of the session (Thursday 24 January, 2019 by 18:00). Delegations wishing to co-sponsor a draft resolution/decision should kindly send an email to cosponsorship@who.int.

 

STATEMENTS

 

To enhance clarity as well as accuracy in interpretation, delegations are encouraged to speak at a moderate speed and may wish to send their statement in advance to the interpreters at interpret@who.int . Please indicate the name of your country and the relevant agenda item number in the email subject line. Statements provided in advance are treated as confidential and checked against delivery.

 

Delegations that would like to have their statements posted on the Executive Board website http://apps.who.int/gb/e/e_eb144.html or to share a longer statement with additional information should send it to statements@who.int. Kindly note that additional information provided in this manner will not be included in the summary record of the meeting.

 

GOVERNING BODIES MOBILE APP:

The App will be participants' personal gateway to EB 144 and features include session updates, links to the programme of work and EB documentation, access to weather and public transport information, comments’ features and live video streaming.

The App can be installed on a mobile device by searching for "Governing Bodies" in the Apple AppStore or Google Play store. However, instruction flyers, including the login details and access to the event information will be given to participants when collecting the badges at WHO reception. Individual usernames are printed on the back of the meeting badges. Assistance will be available at a help desk located near the EB room throughout the Board.

PARKING

 

A designated area in the outdoor parking in front of the main entrance, as well as parking spaces along the main building will be exclusively reserved for participants to the meeting. Two bicycle sheds are available on both sides of the car park in front of the main building.

 

ONLINE REGISTRATION

 

Registration for the Executive Board can be initiated by going to the following link: http://extranet.who.int/bpmext/meetingregistration.aspx , using the following username: ebuser, and password: Hamiki28.  More information can be found here: http://apps.who.int/gb/gov/registration.html

 

BADGES

 

The badges for the Executive Board can be collected at the registration desk (main entrance of WHO) according to the following schedule:

 

- Friday, 18 January 2019: 08:30-17:00

- Saturday, 19 January 2019: 09:00-17:00

- Sunday, 20 January 2019: 14:30-17:00

- Monday, 21 to Friday, 25 January 2019: 08:30-17:00

- Saturday, 26 January 2019: 09:00-12:30

- Monday, 28 to Thursday, 31 January 2019: 08:30-17:00

- Friday, 1 February 2019: 08:30 until the end of the Executive Board

 

Best regards,

 

Dr Timothy Armstrong

Director, Department for Governing Bodies

World Health Organization