2 February 2023—The WHPA raised the concerns of health professionals at the WHO’s Executive Board (EB), the body which implements the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly, and is composed of representatives of 34 WHO Member States. The 152nd session of the EB took place on 30 January – 7 February 2023.
WHPA’s participation in this body is a vital part of its ongoing collaboration with the highest levels of WHO governance, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with WHO DG Dr. Tedros in November 2022.
The WHPA gave two constituency statements. One was on the WHO’s proposals to strengthen the global architecture for health emergency preparedness, response and resilience. This is an important continuation of the WHPA’s engagement on the issue, following its participation in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to develop a WHO instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response at its third meeting held in November 2022.
The other was on universal health coverage (UHC), and constitutes part of WHPA’s advocacy around the issue in light of the upcoming High-Level Meeting on UHC at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023.
The two constituency statements were proposed by WHPA members and received the support of nine further non-state actors who share our concerns.