8.1 Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)

The primary focus of the report was to provide an update on progress made in taking forward the recommendations of the Review Committee on the Functioning of the International Health  Regulations (2005) in relation to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, as requested in resolution WHA64.1. The Secretariat reported that it is working on criteria for approving extension of the IHR for MS to be presented at the 66WHA.

MS noted the report and linked the importance of IHR with “global health security”. Many MS raised the issue of capacity to implement the IHR. AFRO highlighted problems of ‘insufficient training, lack of infrastructure, poor lab capacity, weak coordination, fragmented approach in implementing IHR’. Iran, Morocco and China called for further funds to assist MS on implementing the IHR, with China asking the Secretariat to produce a report on a contingency fund for MS to assist them in implementing the IHR. Maldives raised the point that the IHR received the lowest budget allocation compared to other budget categories. While some countries raised the issue of yellow fever, Iran sought advice on advance vaccine agreements.

The WHO ADG Keiji Fukuda sought further guidance from MS on the criteria for the 2014 extension of implementation, to be provided through Regional Committees. The WHO stated that it worked to support countries on yellow fever and supported the call for a contingency fund.