Annex 1. Vacancies on WHO governing bodies and committees: process
and criteria for nominations and elections
WHO governing bodies
Underlying principles and selection criteria
1. Regarding the election of membership to WHO governing bodies and committees, Rules 14.2.1 and 14.3
of the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee for Europe set out the need for equitable geographical
distribution, adequate representation of the interests of the WHO European Region, the opportunity for all
Member States in the Region to participate over time in the work of WHO governing bodies and committees,
as well as other considerations relevant to maximizing the effectiveness of the work of the governing bodies
and committees.
2. Equitable geographical distribution is ensured through the creation of three subregional groupings of
Member States (resolution EUR/RC63/R7, Annex 1).
3. Other selection criteria refer to:
(a) the equal opportunity for each Member State to serve on WHO governing bodies and committees;
(b) the candidate countries’ past engagements and collaborations with WHO and their commitment
to WHO’s priorities at the global and regional levels, as reflected in the Thirteenth General
Programme of Work, 2019–2025, and the European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 – “United
Action for Better Health”; and
(c) the proposed representatives’ broad mix of skills and practical experience in public health and in
national administration, as well as gender balance (as further detailed in Annex 2 of
resolution EUR/RC63/R7).
The nomination process: applicable rules and practices
4. The process for selecting Member States in the Region to serve on WHO governing bodies and other
committees is governed by Rules 14.2 and 14.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Regional Committee for
Europe.
5. Following notification by the Regional Director, Member States are required to submit their
nomination, with (1) a curriculum vitae, in a standard format, of the representative they intend to nominate if
elected, as well as (2) a letter of intent explaining their relationship with WHO, their commitment to WHO
priorities at the global and regional levels, and the contribution that they would make as a member of the
specific body or committee (Rule 14.2.2 (a)).
6. After the deadline for submitting nominations is passed, the Secretariat first reviews the validity of the
nominations received, namely, checking if each nomination was received within the deadline and with all the
necessary documentation. Then, this information is compiled in the Membership of WHO bodies and
committees document and communicated to the members of the SCRC.
7. Based on this information, the SCRC is asked to review all nominations received and identify which
candidates in its opinion would best meet the criteria enumerated in the Rules of Procedure and relevant
resolutions. This is done in a private session, usually held during the fourth session of the SCRC in June. The
outcome of these deliberations are reflected in an assessment report that is sent to the candidate countries.
UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 68 51 Email:
[email protected]
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe
Denmark
In so doing, the SCRC in the first instance tries to seek consensus among Member States submitting
nominations in case there are more candidates than seats (Rule 14.2.2 (b)). SCRC members representing a
Member State that submitted its nomination for one of the vacant seats shall abstain from the assessment of
received candidacies for that particular body or committee.
8. If consensus is not possible, and if immediately prior to the start of the Regional Committee session
there would still be more nominations than seats to be filled for a specific body and within a particular
subregional group, the SCRC will submit the relevant assessment report to the Regional Committee for its
information (Rule 14.2.2 (c)).
9. If consensus is still not reached by the time of the actual selection, the Regional Committee will proceed
to an election by secret ballot in accordance with Rule 43. Candidate Member States must be represented
during the relevant agenda item at the Regional Committee session (Rule 14.2.2 (d)).
Requirements for submitting nominations
10. Nominations received no later than 31 May 2024 will be presented to the Regional Committee at its
74th session in October 2024. Nominations should be submitted to the following email address:
[email protected].
11. Each candidature must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae in standard format and a letter of intent.
Curriculum vitae
12. A curriculum vitae needs to be completed for the representative whom a Member State intends to
appoint if elected for any of the above-mentioned bodies and committees. The templates in standard format
are attached.
Letter of intent
13. The letter of intent must be written in one of the four official languages of the Region and should not
exceed 600 words in length. It should include a short description of the following items:
(a) an overview of the key elements of the relations between WHO and the nominating Member
State, including events or programmes of particular relevance to the Member State concerned;
(b) which WHO priorities the nominating Member State plans to represent during its three-year
membership term; and
(c) how the nominating Member State plans to achieve those priorities during its three-year term,
and the reasons why the Member State is applying for membership of a governing body.
14. To facilitate a comparative consideration of the candidacies submitted by Member States, the letter of
intent may include:
(a) a record of Member States’ engagement with WHO’s governance and technical activities, for
example, active participation in governing bodies’ meetings, the country's financial and/or
technical support to the Special Programme and its interest in the fields of family planning,
research and development and in human reproduction and fertility regulation, as demonstrated
by national policies and programmes; active participation and involvement in intergovernmental
negotiations launched under the aegis of WHO; compliance with reporting requirements to WHO
at regional or global level; as well as other examples considered relevant by Member States to
demonstrate a high level of engagement with WHO;
–2–
(b) details and evidence of their commitment to the implementation of global and regional WHO
policies considered as a priority by them within the framework of their national health policies as
well as their foreign policy; and
(c) details of how they aim to engage and cooperate with WHO if elected, and the contributions they
intend to make as members of the PCC HRP.
–3–
HRP/1988/1(rev. 2012)
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
Memorandum on the Administrative Structure
of the Special Programme of Research, Development and
Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)1
The Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human
Reproduction (hereinafter called the Special Programme, or HRP) is structured on the basis of
cosponsorship by the United Nations Development Programme (hereinafter called UNDP), the
United Nations Population Fund (hereinafter called UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s
Fund (hereinafter called UNICEF), the World Health Organization (hereinafter called WHO),
the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (hereinafter called The Bank), and
operates within a broad framework of intergovernmental and interagency cooperation and
participation.
1. Basic structure
1.1 The Special Programme is a global programme of international technical
cooperation initiated by WHO to promote, coordinate, support, conduct and evaluate
research in human reproduction, with particular reference to the needs of developing
countries, by:
(i) promoting and supporting research aimed at finding and developing safe and
effective methods of fertility regulation, and identifying and eliminating obstacles
to such research and development;
(ii) identifying and evaluating health and safety problems associated with fertility
regulation technology, analysing the behavioural and social determinants of
fertility regulation, and testing cost-effective interventions to develop improved
approaches to fertility regulation within the context of reproductive health
services;
(iii) strengthening the training and research capability of developing countries in the
field of human reproduction;
(iv) establishing a basis for collaboration with other programmes engaged in research
and development in human reproduction, which will include the identification of
priorities across the field and the coordination of activities in the light of such
priorities.
1
Amended by the Co-sponsoring Agencies in agreement with the Twenty-fifth Session of Policy and Coordination Committee in 2012, with effect
from 1 December 2012.
HRP/1988/1(rev. 2012)
Page 2
1.2 The Cooperating Parties are:
1.2.1 Governments contributing to Special Programme resources; governments
providing technical and/or scientific support to the Special Programme; and
governments with policies designed to address the needs for fertility regulation
and family planning for their populations in the context of their overall plans for
health care and social and economic development.
1.2.2 Intergovernmental organizations, United Nations Funds and Programmes, and
other non-profit-making organizations contributing to Special Programme
Resources or providing technical and scientific support to the Special
Programme.
1.3 The Cosponsors are UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and The Bank.
1.4 The Executing Agency is WHO.
1.5 Special Programme Resources are the financial resources made available to the
Special Programme by governments and organizations through the WHO Voluntary
Fund for Health Promotion.
2. Policy and Coordination Committee
The Policy and Coordination Committee (PCC) is the governing body of the Special
Programme.
2.1 Functions
PCC shall, for the purpose of coordinating the interests and responsibilities of the
parties cooperating in the Special Programme, have the following functions:
2.1.1 To review and decide upon the planning and execution of the Special
Programme. For this purpose it will keep itself informed of all aspects of the
development of the Special Programme and consider reports and
recommendations submitted to it by the Standing Committee referred to in
Section 3 of this Memorandum (hereinafter called the Standing Committee),
the Executing Agency and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group
referred to in Section 4 of this Memorandum (hereinafter called STAG).
2.1.2 To review and approve the plan of action and budget for the coming financial
period prepared by the Executing Agency and reviewed by STAG and the
Standing Committee.
2.1.3 To review the proposals of the Standing Committee and approve
arrangements for the financing of the Special Programme.
2.1.4 To review proposed longer term plans of action and their financial implications.
2.1.5 To review the annual financial statements submitted by the Executing Agency,
and the audit report thereon submitted by the External Auditor of the
Executing Agency.
2.1.6 To review periodic reports that will evaluate the progress of the Special
Programme towards the achievement of its objectives.
HRP/1988/1(rev. 2012)
Page 3
2.1.7 To review and endorse the selection of members of STAG by the Executing
Agency in consultation with the Standing Committee.
2.1.8 To consider such other matters relating to the Special Programme as may be
referred to it by any Cooperating Party.
2.2 Membership
PCC shall consist of 34 members from among the Cooperating Parties as follows:
2.2.1 Largest financial contributors: 11 government representatives from the
countries that were the largest financial contributors to the Special Programme
in the previous biennium.
2.2.2 Countries elected by the WHO regional committees: 14 government
representatives from Member States elected by the WHO regional committees
for three-year terms according to population distribution and regional needs,
distributed as follows:
Africa 4
Americas 2
South-east Asia 3
Europe 1
Eastern Mediterranean 1
Western Pacific 3
In these elections due account should be taken of a country's financial and/or
technical support to the Special Programme and its interest in the fields of
family planning, research and development and in human reproduction and
fertility regulation, as demonstrated by national policies and programmes.
2.2.3 Other interested Cooperating Parties: two members elected by PCC for
three-year terms from the remaining Cooperating Parties.
2.2.4 Permanent members: the Cosponsors of the Special Programme,the
International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS.
Members of PCC in categories 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 may be re-elected.
2.3 Observers
Other Cooperating Parties may be represented as observers with the approval of the
Executing Agency after consultation with the Standing Committee. Observers attend
sessions of PCC at their own expense.
2.4 Operation
2.4.1 PCC shall meet at least once a year, and in extraordinary sessions, if
required, subject to the agreement of the majority of its members. The
Executing Agency shall provide the secretariat.
2.4.2 PCC shall elect each year from among its members, a chairman, a vice-
chairman and a rapporteur.
HRP/1988/1(rev. 2012)
Page 4
2.4.3 The Chairman shall:
• convene and preside over sessions of PCC;
• undertake such additional duties as may be assigned by PCC.
2.4.4 Subject to any special arrangements that may be decided upon by PCC,
members of PCC shall make their own arrangements to cover the expenses
incurred in attending sessions of PCC.
2.5 Procedures
2.5.1 In its proceedings PCC shall be guided mutatis mutandis by the Rules of
Procedure of the World Health Assembly.
2.5.2 In consultation with the Chairman, the secretariat shall prepare an annotated
provisional agenda for each session.
2.5.3 A report, prepared by the Rapporteur with the assistance of the secretariat,
shall be circulated as soon as possible after the conclusion of the session for
the approval of participants.
3. The Standing Committee
3.1 Composition
The Standing Committee shall be comprised of representatives of the Cosponsors.
3.2 Functions
The Standing Committee shall have the following functions:
3.2.1 To review plans of action and a budget for the coming financial period,
prepared by the Executing Agency and reviewed by STAG, in time for
presentation to the annual session of PCC.
3.2.2 To make proposals to PCC for the financing of the Special Programme for the
coming financial period.
3.2.3 To review the reallocation of resources during a financial period, as
recommended by STAG and the Executing Agency, and to report to PCC.
3.2.4 To examine the reports submitted to the Executing Agency by STAG and the
Executing Agency's comments; make the necessary observations thereon;
and transmit these, with comments as appropriate, to PCC.
3.2.5 To review particular aspects of the Special Programme, including those that
may be referred to it by PCC, and present findings and recommendations to
PCC.
3.2.6 To inform PCC, as required, regarding Special Programme matters of interest
to PCC.
3.2.7 To prepare an annual report of its activities for PCC.
HRP/1988/1(rev. 2012)
Page 5
3.3 Operation
3.3.1 The Standing Committee shall usually meet twice a year; once at the time of
the PCC session, and additionally between sessions of PCC.
3.3.2 The Executing Agency shall arrange for support services and facilities as may
be required by the Standing Committee.
3.3.3 Members of the Standing Committee shall make their own arrangements to
cover the expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Standing Committee.
4. Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG)
4.1 Functions
STAG shall have the following functions:
4.1.1 To review, from a scientific and technical standpoint, the content, scope and
dimensions of the Special Programme, including the research areas covered
and approaches to be adopted.
4.1.2 To recommend priorities within the Special Programme, including the
establishment and disestablishment of task forces, and all scientific and
technical activities related to the Special Programme.
4.1.3 To provide PCC and the Standing Committee with a continuous and
independent evaluation of the scientific and technical aspects of all activities of
the Special Programme.
4.1.4 To review the plans of action and the budget for financial periods prepared by
the Executing Agency and make proposals to the Standing Committee for
possible reallocation of resources within the scientific and technical component
of the Special Programme during each financial period.
For these purposes, STAG may propose and present for consideration to the
Executing Agency, the Standing Committee or PCC, as appropriate, such technical
documents and recommendations as it deems necessary.
4.2 Composition
4.2.1 STAG shall have 15-18 members, who shall serve in their personal capacities
to represent the broad range of biomedical and other disciplines required for
Special Programme activities.
4.2.2 Members of STAG, including the Chairman, shall be selected, on the basis of
scientific and technical competence, by the Executing Agency, in consultation
with the Standing Committee and with the endorsement of PCC.
4.2.3 Members of STAG shall not be members of other committees of the Special
Programme, principal investigators in studies undertaken by the Special
Programme, or Special Programme grantees.
HRP/1988/1(rev. 2012)
Page 6
4.2.4 Members of STAG, including the Chairman, shall be appointed to serve for a
period of three years, and shall be eligible for immediate reappointment only
once.
4.3 Operation
4.3.1 STAG shall meet at least once each year.
4.3.2 The Executing Agency shall provide the secretariat of STAG, including
sustained scientific, technical and administrative support.
4.3.3 STAG shall elect a vice-chairman and a rapporteur for each meeting from
among its members.
4.3.4 STAG shall prepare an annual report on the basis of a full review of all
technical and scientific aspects of the Special Programme. This report,
containing its findings and recommendations, shall be submitted to the
Executing Agency and to the Standing Committee. The Executing Agency
shall submit its comments on the report (if any) to the Standing Committee.
The Standing Committee shall then transmit the report, including any
comments of the Executing Agency, together with its own observations and
recommendations, to PCC. The Chairman of STAG, or in the absence of the
Chairman a member of STAG acting as deputy, shall attend all sessions of
PCC.
5. The Executing Agency
The Executing Agency, after consultation with the Standing Committee and other
consultations as appropriate, shall appoint the Director, Special Programme, and appoint or
assign all other personnel to the Special Programme, as specified in the plans of work.
Drawing, as required, on the administrative resources of the Executing Agency, and in
cooperation with the Cosponsors, the Assistant Director-General supervising the Director,
Special Programme will be responsible for the overall management of the Special
Programme. Drawing to the full on the scientific and technical resources of the Executing
Agency, the Director, Special Programme shall be responsible for the overall scientific and
technical development and operation of the Special Programme, including the plans of action
and the budget.
= = =
Nomination for m embership of the Policy and Coordination Committee (PCC) of the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) Year of nomination: 2024 Curriculum v itae Member State making nomination: FORMTEXT Family name: FORMTEXT First/Other names: FORMTEXT Gender: FORMTEXT Date of birth: FORMTEXT day month year Language abilities: please indicate in which of the Regional Committee working languages the nominee is able to function effectively (mark the relevant boxes below; leave other boxes blank) Speak Read Write English FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX French FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX German FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX Russian FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX FORMCHECKBOX Professional education: name the most important professional degrees gained (up to 5), most recent first Year FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT Professional career: list current post first, followed by up to 4 of the most important positions held (please give priority to senior positions in the national health administration close to the political decision-making level) Year (start – end) FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT International experience (please complete the following 3 items): 1) Participation as a member of a national delegation in the governing bodies of WHO or other international/supranational organizations (up to 8 examples), in chronological order, most recent first Year (start – end) FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT 2) Experience as chairperson of a governing body or international negotiating body (up to 8 examples), in chronological order, most recent first (please provide details of the body, meeting and year or session) Year (start – end) FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT 3) Work in international organizations as an official or independent expert (up to 8 examples), in chronological order, most recent first (please provide details on the organization, position taken and period of service) Year (start – end) FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT Proven ability to coordinate, collaborate and communicate at national and international level (up to 8 examples), in chronological order, most recent first (please provide details of coordination of national or international high-level technical or political programmes and other relevant experiences) Year (start – end) FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT FORMTEXT Title, name and position of person making the nomination FORMTEXT Title (Mr, Ms, Dr, Pr), name (first and last) and position
Saatja: "EURO Governance" <
[email protected]>
Saaja: "Riina Sikkut", "Triin Uusberg", "Elen Ohov"
Teema: WHO/EURO Call for nominations: Category 2 of the Policy and Coordination Committee (PCC) of the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)
Kuupäev: 2024-05-08 14:38
**This message will follow in French, German, and Russian languages**
TO MEMBER STATES IN THE WHO EUROPEAN REGION
Dear colleague,
Call for nominations: Category 2 of the Policy and Coordination Committee
(PCC) of the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research
Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)
The Policy and Coordination Committee (PCC) is the governing body of the
UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research,
Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP).
In accordance with a call for nominations from the Office of the WHO Chief
Scientist, one Category 2 seat of the Committee will become vacant after
31 December 2024.
The membership of Category 2 of PCC HRP is described in paragraph 2.2.2 of
the enclosed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and includes government
representatives from Member States elected by the WHO regional committees
for three-year terms, from 1 January 2025 and until 31 December 2027.
In consultation with the 31st Standing Committee of the Regional
Committee, Member States are invited to notify WHO/Europe by no later than
31 May 2024 of any nominations they wish to make for membership of the PCC
HRP (1 vacant seat).
Further details regarding the criteria for membership of WHO governing
bodies and committees and the requirements for submission of nominations
are included in Annex 1 attached to this message.
Please address any queries regarding the above information to:
[email protected].
With kind regards,
Regional Governance and Languages Unit
Regional Governance and Languages Unit
Executive Director’s Division
WHO Regional Office for Europe Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen
Ø, Denmark
T: +45 45 33 68 51
[email protected] | WHO/Europe - Governance
HRP/PCC/2024
Policy and Coordination Committee (PCC)
List of Members – 2024
Category (1) – Largest financial contributors in the previous (2022-2023) biennium
(countries) *
Australia
Canada
China†
Flemish Government, Belgium
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Category (2) – Countries elected by the WHO Regional Committees
China† 2024-2026
Indonesia 2022-2024
India 2024-2026
Italy 2022-2024
Mongolia 2023-2025
Morocco 2024-2026
Nicaragua 2022-2024
Senegal 2022-2024
Seychelles 2022-2024
Sierra Leone 2024-2026
South Africa 2024-2026
Timor-Leste 2023-2025
Tonga 2022-2024
Uruguay 2022-2024
* At its 16th meeting in June 2003, PCC endorsed the interpretation of section 2.2.1 of the
Memorandum on the Administrative Structure of the Special Programme to mean that
Category 1 membership should consist of representatives of the 11 largest donors not
otherwise represented on the PCC under another category.
† In 2023 China was elected by the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific to serve as a …/…
member of PCC in category 2 for a three-year term.
HRP/PCC/2024
Page 2
Category (3) – Other interested cooperating parties
Armenia 2023-2025
Chile 2024-2026
Category (4) – Permanent members
UNDP }
UNFPA }
UNICEF } Cosponsors
WHO }
The World Bank }
IPPF
UNAIDS