Delegations and representatives of the 53 Member States of WHO Europe, as well as partner and civil society organisations, have attended the 69 session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, which took place between 16–19 September 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Alzheimer Europe attended the conference for the first time, in an observer capacity, as a non-state actor.
The agenda of the Regional Committee focused on the work which has taken place across the WHO European Region, with representatives contributing examples of how work had progressed in their countries. Additionally, members voted on a number of resolutions on the future work of WHO Europe, in addition to asking questions of senior WHO Europe figures concerning the implementation of work packages and operational matters concerning the organisation.
A key highlight of the event was the election of Dr Hans Kluge of Belgium who was elected to a five year term as the Regional Director for WHO Europe, on 17 September 2019. Dr Kluge replaces Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, who served two consecutive terms as Regional Director, beginning in 2010. Once her term concludes, Dr Jakab will take up the role of Deputy Director General at the WHO in Geneva.
A broad range of themes were covered over the course of the four days, including:
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Lessons learned from Health 2020 implementation in the WHO European Region since 2012.
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Promoting health equity in the WHO European Region.
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Accelerating primary health care in the WHO European Region.
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Health literacy in the WHO European Region.
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Proposals around a decade of healthy ageing.
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Accreditation of regional non-state actors to the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.
Further information, presentations, resolutions and summaries of the four days can be found on the WHO website here: http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/governance/regional-committee-for-europe/69th-session
