WHO World Health Organization
1. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, has the governing body of your organization taken (or will it take) any decisions or new strategies to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If any, please provide a brief summary below, including the overarching vision of your organization.
Global Level
SDG-related World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions:
2017
• WHA 70.5 - WHA70/2017/REC/1 - p.6
Programme Budget 2018-2019
• WHA 70.6 - WHA70/2017/REC/1 - p.8
Human resources for health and implementation of the outcomes of the United Nations' High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth.
• WHA70.14 - WHA70/2017/REC/1 - p.29
Strengthening immunization to achieve the goals of the global vaccine action plan
• WHA70.15 -WHA70/2017/REC/1 - p.33
Promoting the health of refugees and migrants
• WHA70.16 - WHA70/2017/REC/1 - p.34
Global vector control response: an integrated approach for the control of vector-borne diseases
2016
• WHA69.1 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p.3
Strengthening essential public health functions in support of the achievement of universal health coverage
• WHA69.2 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p.6
Committing to implementation of the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health
• WHA69.3 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 8
Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016-2020: towards a world in which everyone can live a long and healthy life.
• WHA69.5 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p.18
WHO global plan of action to strengthen the role of the health system within a national multisectoral response to address interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls, and against children
• WHA69.6 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 19
Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: responses to specific assignments in preparation for the third High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in 2018
• WHA69.7 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p.20
Addressing the challenges of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020): outcome of the second Global High-level Conference on Road Safety - Time for Results
• WHA69.8 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 23
United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025)1
• WHA69.9 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 25
Ending inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children
• WHA69.11 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 30
Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development1
• WHA69.20 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 47
Promoting innovation and access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medicines for children
• WHA69.22 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 52
Global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, for the period 2016-20211
• WHA69.24 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 56
Strengthening integrated, people-centred health services
• WHA69.25 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 58
Addressing the global shortage of medicines and vaccines, and the safety and accessibility of children's medication
2015
• WHA68.2 - WHA68/2015/REC/1 - p. 5
Global technical strategy and targets for malaria 2016-20301
• WHA68.6 - WHA68/2015/REC/1 - p. 14
Global vaccine action plan
• WHA68.7 - WHA68/2015/REC/1 - p. 17
Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance
• WHA68.8 - WHA68/2015/REC/1 - p. 20
Health and the environment: addressing the health impact of air pollution
Regional Level
• The Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas 2018-2030 (SHAA2030) (39) was presented at the 29th Pan American Sanitary Conference in September 2017. SHAA2030 builds on the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) Health Agenda for the Americas 2008-2017, unfinished business from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the uniqueness of the 2030 Agenda. It represents the highest-level policy and strategic planning framework for the Region and serves as a call to action for Member States to work to achieve a healthier and more equitable Region of the Americas, as envisioned by the SDGs. This Agenda will be implemented through PAHO strategic plans and strategies, as well as through sub-regional and national health plans.
• The Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO/PAHO) is currently considering a Strategy and Roadmap developed to help guide Member States in implementing actions to realize the SDGs. Based on the key principles of equity and sustainability, the institutional strategy uses innovation and multi-sectoral approaches to incorporate other sectors as partners. The Roadmap will lead to better inter-programmatic collaboration and coordination between programs and the SDG targets they address, particularly those related to health. It will also help establish a unified regional response, optimize national and regional development efforts, and avoid duplication, waste and multiple reporting structures that place an undue burden on Member States. Ultimately, the Roadmap maintains a central focus on country needs and priorities, as opposed to a broad-brush regional approach, and will require Country Cooperation Strategies (CCSs) to include health and health-related SDG targets at the national level. This is in-keeping with the new global CCS Guidelines from the WHO.
• Executive staff, including AMRO's Director, took part in the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in April 2017 (Mexico), in which countries in the Americas took stock of the progress made on the SDGs. The Regional Forum has been set up by Member States of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean to systematically monitor and report on progress and challenges concerning implementation of the SDGs.
• AMRO is currently conducting Regional consultations on its Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion within the Context of the SDGs, which seeks to specifically align AMRO's and the Region's Health Promotion programming with the 2030 Agenda, both in terms of priorities and in terms of modes of multi-sectoral programming. This Strategy and Plan of Action incorporates four strategic lines of action explicitly focused on bringing together the tools of Health Promotion and the vision of the 2030 Agenda:
• Revitalizing the Healthy Settings Approach with a particular focus on local action
• Strengthening partnerships and participation through good governance
• Adopting health literacy for equity and empowerment
• Reorienting health services (prioritizing both UHC and determinants of health)
• In 2017, the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, at its 67th session endorsed the Roadmap to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on Health 2020, the European policy for health and well-being. The roadmap aims to strengthen the capacities of Member States, to achieve better, more equitable, sustainable health and well-being for all at all ages in the WHO European Region. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires working in a transformative way in order to implement a set of coherent, evidence-informed policies that address health, well-being and all their determinants throughout the life-course and across all sectors of government and society. Revitalized global and regional partnerships are essential and will provide the essential support and momentum to this joint societal and global effort. This roadmap proposes five interdependent strategic directions: advancing governance and leadership for health and well-being; leaving no one behind; preventing disease and addressing health determinants by promoting multi- and intersectoral policies throughout the life-course; establishing healthy places, settings and resilient communities; and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage . It proposes four enabling measures to advance the implementation of both the 2030 Agenda and Health 2020: investment for health; multi-partner cooperation; health literacy, research and innovation; monitoring and evaluation.
• The WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO) as a follow-up provides support to its Member States in partnership and promotes the progressive alignment of health and development policies or plans; the achievement of directly and indirectly health-related SDGs and their targets; the use of existing networks and platforms to ensure dialogue between organizations, sectors and countries; and the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the SDGs. Priorities for the Regional Office will include pursuing the implementation of both the 2030 Agenda and Health 2020 coherently in its work and with individual countries; technical support to countries; its contribution to coordination among United Nations agencies; stronger partnerships and initiatives at the regional and subregional levels; and evidence-informed monitoring and reporting.
• The 67th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific adopted resolution WPR/RC67.R5 on "Sustainable Development Goals" in October 2016, endorsing the Regional Action Agenda on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific.
• The action agenda suggests options for Member States to consider in making the transition from the MDGs to the SDGs based on country-specific contexts, resources and entry points and related WHO support. It suggests practical actions to achieve the change in mindset that is needed for achieving the SDGs, including new ways of working that go beyond business as usual - and newer roles and capabilities for the health sector in working across government and stakeholders.
• The action agenda builds on and aligns with existing global and regional strategies, World Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions, as well as broader United Nations mandates and guidance. The regional action framework on Universal Health Coverage: Moving Towards Better Health (WPR/RC66.R2) provides the basis for country-wise development of UHC implementation roadmaps. UHC is the platform that brings together various health and development efforts.
• More recently, the SDGs have also informed further agenda items of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific and related regional frameworks in specific programme areas, for example on urban health (2015), health and the environment (2016), health promotion and the SDGs (2017) and law reform in the SDGs (2018, tbc). A progress item on the SDGs in follow up to WPR/RC67.R5 is also expected to be scheduled for 2018.
• The Resolution: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/345602/67cd04e_Rev.1_SDGs_170629.pdf?ua=1
• The roadmap: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/345599/67wd09e_SDGroadmap_170638.pdf?ua=1
2.1 SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes
Global Level
• SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes:
o Global health sector strategy on HIV, 2016 2021 http://www.who.int/hiv/strategy2016-2021/ghss-hiv/en/
o Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, 2016-2021 http://www.who.int/hepatitis/strategy2016-2021/ghss-hep/en/
o Prevent HIV, test and treat all - WHO support for country impact, Progress report 2016 http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/progressreports/2016-progress-report/en/
o HIV, Universal Health Coverage and the Post-2015 Development Agenda - Discussion paper prepared by HIV Department in 2014, informed the Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV.
o The WHO End Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy 2016-2035 is fully aligned with the related SDG Goal and target for ending epidemics, and operational guidance, and biennium work plans and targets are updated and aligned.
o The WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2015 and is aligned with the SDGs.
o WHO's 4th global Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) report and 2nd high-level Global Partners Meeting were centered on mainstreaming NTDs within the SDG agenda, with particular attention to UHC.
o The 2018-2023 Special Programme on Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) strategy launched in 2017, focuses on contributing to the achievement of SDGs by promoting research on infectious diseases of poverty and by supporting research capacity building in countries with highest needs.
• WHA70.16 - WHA70/2017/REC/1 - p.34: Global vector control response: an integrated approach for the control of vector-borne diseases
• WHA69.3 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 8: Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016-2020: towards a world in which everyone can live a long and healthy life.
• WHA69.5 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p.18: WHO global plan of action to strengthen the role of the health system within a national multisectoral response to address interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls, and against children
• WHA69.19 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 43: Global strategy on human resources for health: workforce 2030
• WHA69.22 - WHA69/2016/REC/1 - p. 52: Global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, for the period 2016-20211
• WHA68.2 - WHA68/2015/REC/1 - p. 5: Global technical strategy and targets for malaria 2016-2030
• WHA68.6 - WHA68/2015/REC/1 - p. 14: Global vaccine action plan
• WHA68.7 - WHA68/2015/REC/1 - p. 17: Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance
2.2 Aligning the structure of the organization with the transformative features of the 2030 Agenda, including any challenges and lessons learned in doing so
Global Level
o WHO is undergoing transformational agenda following the election of the new Director General and in line with the new 13th General Programme of Work, to be adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2018. The GPW13 is firmly based on the 2030 Agenda.
o For example, the HIV department has incorporated Hepatitis and included aligned indicators for both in the SDG reporting framework. The department is organized to strengthen its country impact function, and is developing measurement guidelines on incidence measurement to support SDG accountability in this area.
Regional Level
o Following a request from Member States, AMRO developed the document "Preparing the Region of the Americas to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goal on Health," which initiated a cooperation exercise with Member States to compare and align SDG targets with current national health policies and programs, AMRO's mandates and Strategic Plan 2014-2019, and the targets and indicators of the Health Agenda for the Americas 2008-2017.
2.3 Readjusting or updating results-based budgeting and management, including performance indicators:
Results-based budgeting and management will be undertaken in the context of the 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13). The HIV department has focused its reporting on the SDG indicators of incidence, and is developing measurement guidelines in this area to better report on the SDGs.
Regional Level
o AMRO has made an agreement with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to monitor indicators under SDG 3 and other health-related indicators in the Region.
2.4 Action to enhance support to the principle of "leaving no one behind" and to integrated policy approaches:
Global Level
o Strategic guidance includes focus on communities at high risk and vulnerable groups; WHO high-level ministerial meeting in 2017 on ending TB focused on multisectoral approaches, integrated care, and leaving no one behind. Leaving No One Behind was the WHO theme for World TB Day 2017.
o Global Malaria Programme (GMP) launched a coverage gap analysis on World Malaria Day 2017 and is continuing work to better define the populations that are most vulnerable to malaria cases and deaths; and define a package of work to ensure that these populations have access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment for malaria.
o The HIV department has developed guidelines on target setting for key populations to strengthen the granularity of data. They have also launched new person-centered monitoring guidelines which address the SDG indicators on improved data, including disaggregation (SDG targets 17.18 and 17.19).
Regional Level
o AMRO has championed several initiatives designed to prioritize equity, the principle of "leaving no one behind", and integrated policy approaches. AMRO was the first WHO Region to produce a Strategy and Road Map for Health in All Policies, an equity-focused initiative designed to support multi-sectoral approaches to the SDGs. AMRO is also the convening institution for the Equity Commission, a two-year project in which leading experts from the Region in equity, gender, ethnicity, and human rights are reviewing data and trends in health inequalities, aiming to produce a report in 2018 with key findings and recommendations for Member States to address these. Several other initiatives, including the Regional Strategy for Health Promotion, to be launched shortly, highlight opportunities for action that target population groups at risk of being "left behind".
o WHO EURO:
o Is in the process of developing the equity health status report.
o Is developing the men's health strategy.
o Has the endorsed women's health strategy and the strategy on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
2.5 Others:
• Leadership:
o WHO Europe is in an advanced stage, as the European Policy Framework Health 2020, is already contributing to the SDG implementation. Current adjustments are ongoing in the development of national roadmaps, building on the European roadmap. 93% of European Member States adjusted their national health policies to Health 2020. Integrating equity, gender and human rights and addressing the social and environmental determinants of health into multisectoral work is an effort that WHO/EURO have undertaken since many years.
• Normative instruments:
o A number of normative instruments on climate, environment and health (e.g. air quality and noise guidelines) in coordination with WHO Headquarters (HQ) and coordinated or contributed to research and innovation on the social, economic and environmental determinants; and developed evidence-based policies for national or sub-national action. Mapping of WHO instruments.
• A mapping exercise of World Health Assembly, Regional Committee and other resolutions, strategies and action plans was conducted to assess the legal and policy instruments available to support the implementation of health-related SDG targets and goals. This exercise led to the creation of two databases (one related to SDG 3 targets and one focused on health in all other SDGs).
• Governance. Governance is also a cross-cutting issue of the SDG roadmap Health 2020 and SDG implementation is supported through four approaches: intersectoral action for health, whole-of-government, Health in All Policies, and governance for health, all of which are underpinned by a whole-of-society approach. These approaches focus on how best to engage key stakeholders, including communities, citizens and businesses in policy implementation, while maintaining a focus on health as a social, environmental, cultural and economic goal.
• Producing a resource kit for Member States. Following a request from Member States, EURO is developing a resource kit for Member States, building on material developed across the organization. This resource kit in particular should support the Member States in getting started, in integrating health and well-being into national and subnational development plans, support to implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• SDG health targets factsheets. SDG factsheets have been created to synthesize the evidence-base on key health targets in order to promote coherence and better address the burden of disease throughout the Region. Currently, SDG factsheets have been produced on communicable and noncommunicable disease (NCD), climate change, road safety, vaccine coverage, antimicrobial resistance, essential medicines, hazardous chemicals, sexual and reproductive health services, mental health, maternal health, child and adolescent health and migration and health and others are under development. It was agreed that these factsheets present important information and should be included in the technical annex.
• In line with the Regional Action Agenda on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific, there has been strong commitment and senior management leadership to facilitate the mindset change implied by the SDGs also within the WHO Western Pacific Region. For example, the SDGs were the topic of two Consultations of WHO Representatives and Country Liaison Officers in the Western Pacific Region (April and November 2016).
• The SDGs and UHC also call for stronger coordination and collaboration across different health programme areas and teams. WPRO has set up two cross-divisional working groups to foster collaboration on (1) MDG/SDGs and (2) Gender and Social Determinants.
• The medium-term strategic vision for cooperation between WHO and individual countries is represented in the WHO country cooperation strategies (CCS). All CCSs developed in the Western Pacific Region since 2016 have explicitly recognized the importance of the SDGs, and the SDGs have been specifically considered during the formulation of the strategic priorities with each country.
• Formulation of the two year programme of collaboration with countries, identifying specific activities that WHO will support during that period, are then formulated taking into account the priorities of the CCS.
3.1 Mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies or through national sustainable development plans/strategies:
Regional Level
o As described above, the document "Preparing the Region of the Americas to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goal on Health" supports countries in mainstreaming the SDGs in national development plans and policies. A series of national consultations have taken place, both virtually and in-person, to integrate.
o Thirty European countries have requested some sort of support. This ranges from integrating the SDGs into national health plans, including health into the VNRs, supporting the integration of health into national development plans, assessing investment for health, and integrating health into sectoral policies and interventions. A series of national consultations have taken place, from country missions to policy dialogue and high level presidential meetings.
3.2 Mainstreaming the SDGs in sectoral strategies, including specific SDG/target strategies:
Global Level
o WHO provides support to countries to develop their health sector strategies and disease specific programme strategies. The CDS cluster has supported many countries to address SDG 3.3 within the context of UHC (SDG 3.8).
o WHO has moved towards HIV Treat All guidelines consistent with universal coverage and ending AIDS.
Regional Level
• The document "Preparing the Region of the Americas to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goal on Health" focuses largely on health sector strategies to achieve SDG 3.
3.3 Data and statistical capacity building:
Global Level
o The Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is working with colleagues in Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) on developing a malaria module for DHIS2 and to provide capacity building for high priority countries which is not only strengthen malaria reporting, but also data reporting for health in general.
o HIV is also developing a DHIS 2 module to allow improved disaggregated reporting. HIV has also launched its person centered monitoring guidelines, to strengthen disaggregated data.
Regional level
o Developing a common set of indicators for the joint monitoring framework for SDGs, Health 2020 and the Global NCD Action Plan (2017) In order to address concerns raised by Member States on the burden of reporting to WHO and other international bodies, Member States at the 67th session of the Regional Committee for Europe (RC67) agreed to adopt a joint monitoring framework for reporting on indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals, Health 2020 and the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases through the endorsement of resolution EUR/RC67/R3 in September 2017. The first step towards the development of a joint monitoring framework was to establish an expert group that would identify a common set of indicators for the joint monitoring framework. That group met in Vienna, Austria, on 20-21 November 2017. This report provides a summary of that meeting, including the process of deliberation and resulting recommendations.
3.4 Science, technology and innovation for the SDGs:
Global Level
o GMP works closely with the WHO Global Observatory on Health Research and Development and with product development partners to ensure an efficient process to review and recommend new malaria tools and strategy based on high quality evidence review.
3.5 Multi-stakeholder partnerships:
Global Level
o GMP works with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership which is coordinating malaria partners from multiple sectors on joint efforts to maintain high political commitment, resource mobilization and integrate work across multi-sectors at the regional and global levels.
o HIV works directly with civil society and UNAIDS in coordinated a multi stakeholder response at country level, in 2018 this has involved joint country envelopes and budgeting across the UN.
Regional Level
• Multi-stakeholder partnerships:
o In 2018, AMRO will roll out a Region-specific capacity-building program to support Member States in adapting Health in All Policies approaches, with a strong focus on multi-stakeholder partnerships and including references to the Sustainable Development Goals.
o A strong effort is on partnership: In the WHO European Region, the UN Issue-based Coalition on Health and Well-being for All at All Ages has identified four workstreams for collaboration with other UN agencies to support health-related SDG attainment: maternal and child health; tuberculosis, HIV and viral hepatitis; medicines; and migration.
o WHO/Euro also serves member States through the provision of secretariat services, jointly with the The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), to the Protocol on Water and Health, the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP) and the chairing of the Task force on Health of the UN Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution.
o The South Eastern European Health Network (SEEHN) is an inter-country mechanism through which to promote SDG implementation related to health throughout nine of the Region's Member States. To this end, the 2017 Chisinau Pledge re-enforced country commitments to achieving the SDGs and UHC in addition to identifying emergencies, health workforce and population ageing as policy areas that can be addressed through cross-border work, with the potential to focus these efforts sub-nationally as well. The Small country initiative has started to support the implementation of the SDGs and is in their annual meetings discussing concerted action.
o Additional platforms for promoting health and well-being across the European Region include the Regional Platform for Working Together for Better Health and Well-Being for All and the European Action Plan for Strengthening Public Health Capacities and Services.
o The Environment and Health Process provides a mandate and platform for WHO engagement at this intersection, with the Ostrava Declaration articulating seven public health priorities for environment and health across the European Region, including: improving air quality for all; ensuring access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for all; minimizing the adverse effects of chemicals; preventing and eliminating the adverse effects of waste management and contaminated sites; strengthening adaptation to and mitigation of climate change; supporting cities and regions to become healthier; and building the environmental sustainability of health systems.
3.6 Sub-national plans/strategies and implementation for the SDGs:
Global Level
o Sub-national plans or micro-focus plans are in development for countries pursuing malaria elimination.
Regional Level
o WHO has two specific networks targeting the subnational level: the Regions for Health Network (RHN) and the European Healthy Cities Network. RHN is currently comprised of 32 regions. In addition to facilitating peer-to-peer learning across regions, RHN produces publications to share knowledge and best practices, undertakes capacity building activities, gives voice and provides direct exposure to key stakeholders at the sub-national level, and supports communications activities to enhance awareness and visibility on the ground. The European Healthy Cities Network currently consists of 1,400 cities in 30 countries, with 96 WHO flagship-designated cities in total. The Network was founded in 1988 and is preparing to enter its seventh phase, which will be aligned with the 2030 Agenda and guided by the five 'Ps' of sustainable development plus one : people, planet, peace, prosperity, and participation + place. The network is also preparing for its first political summit of mayors to be held in Copenhagen in February 2018. Together, these networks expand the entry points available to WHO in countries.
o In particular, Wales has become an exemplar of SDG localization through the passage and implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, adopted in 2015. In particular, the Welsh case demonstrates the importance of extensive consultation, including over 6,500 individuals, at the local level in order to fully embed and engender a sense of ownership over health-related SDG attainment on the ground. The Welsh strategy is organized around seven well-being goals (a globally responsible, prosperous, resilient, healthier, and more equal Wales with more cohesive communities and vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language) and five ways of working, including a focus on the long-term, prevention, integration, collaboration and involvement. To assist with implementation, the development of a Health and Sustainability Hub is underway along with a toolkit to support Sustainability Improvement for Teams (SIFT), which is being developed to support the five ways of working through a participatory, iterative development process.
o Some key examples in AMRO include:
o Chile: In order to implement the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, Chile has worked to ensure that the Goals are well integrated into national policies and plans. For example, Chile has developed a National Council comprised of the Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Social Development and Minister of the Environment. Currently, the Council is completing a national analysis on the 17 SDGs and actions needed to achieve them. The analysis includes progress, areas for improvement and challenges.
o Costa Rica: Since 2015, Costa Rica has made significant efforts to articulate a multidimensional approach to the implementation of SDGs. In 2016, Costa Rica became the first country to sign a "National Pact for the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals," representing a fundamental consensus to 'leave no one behind'. Signatories included representatives from three government branches, civil society organizations, faith based organizations, public universities, local governments and the business sector.
o Jamaica: In Jamaica, the adoption of the Agenda has resulted in a review of national development processes in order to maximize synergies between the global agenda and Jamaica's national development plan, "Vision 2030 Jamaica - National Development Plan", adopted in 2009. Vision 2030, Jamaica's first long-term development plan, provides a strategic road map to prepare the country for achieving developed country status by 2030. The plan aims to foster sustainable prosperity by creating conditions in which the country's productive enterprises are able to generate greater levels of wealth and in which the social and environmental conditions and the general well-being of the society are enhanced.
o Peru: In September 2016, Peru began updating national policies, incorporating the guidelines of the 2030 Agenda within sector-specific policies and plans. In October 2016, the first official exercise was carried out to better align sectoral policies with the aims and parameters of Agenda 2030. Peru has also worked to strengthen multilevel governmental coordination, targeting sub-national policies with a territorial approach.
3.7 Leveraging interlinkages across SDG goals and targets:
Global Level
o All of the above, in collaboration with all levels of the organization and with partners. Strategic support at country level on all inputs above; Contributions at regional meetings on end TB/SDG targets as well as broader SDG meetings; annual End TB Strategy Summit with 30 highest burden countries to monitor and support their annual actions in implementation, and high level political meeting in 2017 with 120 leaders from ministries and 1000 participants; and support for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) planning for high-level meeting in 2018.
o In Data HIV, TB and malaria have worked together to strengthen disaggregated data to support the SDG data targets 17.18 and 17.19.
Regional Level
o AMRO's extensive activity in support of the Health in All Policies approach, including several capacity-building workshops, an organizational Strategy, Road Map, Concept Note, published Case Studies and internal reporting highlights key opportunities for multi-sectoral work across SDG goals and targets. Of particular note is the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion in the Context of the SDGs.
o EURO's extensive activity in support of the Health in All Policies approach, including several capacity-building workshops, an organizational Strategy, Road Map, Concept Note, published Case Studies and internal reporting highlights key opportunities for multi-sectoral work across SDG goals and targets. Of particular note is the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion in the Context of the SDGs.
• WHO regularly supports normative, analytical, technical assistance or capacity building to countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
• Since its endorsement in late 2016, the Regional Action Agenda on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific has provided a basis to support Member States in prioritization and implementation of the health-related SDGs. Initial priorities for WHO support and engagement included:
o Country and regional monitoring of progress towards UHC and other SDG targets: WPRO has developed a UHC and SDG M&E framework for the Western Pacific Region (as an annex to the regional action agenda) as well as a baseline report and technical guidance.
o Integrating an equity focus in health programmes, including equity-focused service delivery models and strategic approaches. For example, through collaboration across programmes and offices, WPRO developed a report on advancing health through attention to gender, equity and human rights in 2016-2017.
o Strengthened partnerships for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder action that leaves no-one behind, including health in all policies (HiAP) approaches. For example, WHO collaborated with the Government of South Australia in 2017 on a global conference and case study book on progressing the SDGs through HiAP.
3.8 Others:
National Health Policies: National health policies (NHPs) are a vehicle for enhancing leadership and channeling political support of transformative change for health and well-being for all at all ages. NHPs facilitate the implementation of binding agreements and commitments as well as the diffusion of global and regional policy frameworks related to health and well-being. They also help countries to manage change effectively, set priorities and tailor implementation strategies to their unique country environments. As a result, NHPs play an important role in enhancing policy coherence across agencies, sectors, levels and technical areas in support of both Health 2020 and 2030 Agenda. Policy dialogues, sound monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and also independent policy review are currently ongoing.
4.2 Contributing to policy/background briefs for the HLPF:
Regional Level
• Contributing to policy/background briefs for the HLPF:
o Three Member States from the Region (Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia) presented voluntary reviews to the High-Level Political Forum in 2016 and 11 (Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Uruguay) in 2017. AMRO supported these countries in preparing their reviews.
o Nine Member States from the EUR Region presented voluntary reviews to the High-Level Political Forum in 2016 and 13 in 2017. Thirteen countries are planned in 2018 (see Figure). WHO Euro supported its MS through a range of activities a. review of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), b. organization of stakeholder and policy dialogue c. expert contributions to specific subjects, d. contribution to MAPS missions in the development or revisions of VNRs or strategies and e. through multicounty dialogues.
o In cooperation of the Ministries of Health events were organized in a range of countries, and are foreseen in 2018 for a range of countries (Romania, Belarus, Poland, Iceland, etc).
4.3 Helping organize SDG-specific events in the preparatory process:
Yes
4.4 Organizing side evens or speaking at the HLPF:
Yes
4.5 Supporting VNR process:
Regional Level
o AMRO was part of the inter-agency group that supported countries in the VNR process.
o EURO was part of the inter-agency group that supported countries in the VNR process.
• At the regional level, WPRO and SEARO have collaborated with UN partners on the organization of a side event on health at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD 2017).
• At the country level, WHO has regularly engaged with national counterparts as well as UN and other partners in the localization of the SDGs and related alignments of workplans. For example, WHO has supported subnational health system strengthening in Mongolia with a focus on "Leaving No One Behind", in order to help Mongolia with reaching Universal Health Coverage and its Sustainable Development Vision 2030. In the Philippines, WHO supported technical consultation on the SDG 6 indicators for WASH.
• WHO has been active in many countries supporting preparations for the HLPF (particularly the VNRs) and related SDG-specific activities. For example, in Malaysia, WHO together with other UN agencies supported preparation of the VNR in 2016.
5. How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations to achieve coherence and synergies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? In this regard, has your organization launched or intend to launch any joint programmes or projects in collaboration with other UN entities? Are there any results or lessons you would like to highlight that might help improve the design and impact of such efforts? Has your organization participated in any of the following coordination systemwide mechanisms or any other relevant platform - CEB, UNDG, EC-ESA Plus, RCMs, UN-Energy, UN-Water, UN-Ocean, IAEG, IATT? Please specify which and indicate any suggestions you may have about improving collaborations within and across these mechanisms/platforms:
• TB Department collaborating actively with UNICEF, UNAIDS, ILO, UNHCR, IOM on specific interventions and overall multisectoral collaboration towards ending epidemics, supporting vulnerable groups (including children, workers, refugees and migrants).
• Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is working with UNOPs on the implementation of two work streams funded by the Global Fund to support the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) to achieve malaria elimination: Monitoring antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance in the GMS; and Malaria Elimination Database for the GMS.
• The HIV Department collaborates and has launched joint country envelopes and planning with UNAIDS, UNICEF and across the United Nations.
• Roll-out of new treatments for children with tuberculosis, who face great challenges in diagnosis and treatment; screening and continuity of care for TB patients, following WHO updated guidance and tools, among migrants served by IOM Key lesson: ensure rapid transfer of information on guidance and best practice; and participation in meetings of other UN agencies on regular basis.
• The malaria grants just started in 2018 - no.
• The HIV Department move towards Treat All has pushed for universal health coverage and simplified delivery to achieve the SDG impact, however additional efforts are required for key populations so no one is left behind.
• Contributions made to inter-agency efforts on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (IACG).
Regional Level
• AMRO has collaborated extensively with Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) (examples listed above) to identify and act on shared priorities and reporting mechanisms, avoiding undue burden on countries while maximizing the impact of 2030 Agenda-oriented programming.
• Executive staff, including EUROs Regional Director, was part of the high level panel, and took part in the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in April 2017 (Geneva), in which countries in the European Region took stock of the progress made on the SDGs. The Regional Forum has been set up by Member States of the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to systematically monitor and report on progress and challenges concerning implementation of the SDGs.
• Executive staff and senior staff participated to the Regional Director Coordination meeting, which is held twice a year. Major discussions occur on the SDG implementation in countries of the European Region to align agendas of the UN agencies and also prepare for the new UNDAFs.
• In the WHO European Region, the UN Issue-based Coalition on Health and Well-being for All at All Ages is coordinated by EURO. It has identified four work-streams for collaboration with other UN agencies to support health-related SDG attainment: maternal and child health; tuberculosis, HIV and viral hepatitis; medicines; and migration.
• The SDGs have underlined the importance of partnerships across the UN system as well as other development actors and stakeholders. At the regional level, WPRO regularly collaborates with UN and other partners, both in specific programme areas as well as more broadly with regards to cross-cutting agendas related to the SDGs (e.g. UNDG Asia-Pacific (AP) network).
• At the country level, WHO is an active member of the UN country team and contributes to the advocacy for, implementation and localisation of the SDG agenda.
• WHO South Pacific representative office has been engaged in developing monitoring and evaluation process for UN Pacific Strategy 2018 - 22. While having participated, WHO has provided technical input on how to maximise the use of health related indicators that are from SDGs. WHO has led discussion on the Healthy Islands Monitoring Framework which is to trace progress against the Healthy Islands vision. This framework helps Pacific island countries and areas enhance data generation capability for health related SDGs as it follows a number of substantial health indicators.
• WHO participates in the UNDG-AP, and one key aspect of this is to review the performance of senior UN management at country level, specifically endeavouring to ensure that the RCs and UNCTs are functioning effectively and with good collaboration/cooperation, and that relevant agency heads are contributing accordingly.
6. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups, both in supporting implementation at the country, regional and global levels, and within your own organization? If yes, please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned:
Global Level
• Key lesson: great value in expanding engagement of civil society organizations and key affected persons, and enabling their participation in planning, monitoring, implementation efforts at all levels.
• Yes, WHO works closely with Member States and their implementing partners to support the development of national malaria strategic plans, malaria programme reviews, strengthening work on vector control, surveillance and elimination. Coordinating with other stakeholders is critically important to ensure the support given to countries is aligned and not duplicative and requires significant effort.
Regional Level
• AMRO's strategic planning and programming under the 2030 Agenda has been formulated largely in response to Member State requests for specific guidance. One highlight has been ensuring that new or revised strategies and initiatives incorporate significant elements of the 2030 Agenda, such as the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion within the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (currently under a formalized process of consultation with Member States and other stakeholders through a series of virtual meetings).
• Among efforts to shift the global community's attention to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a five-year interagency collaboration (2016-2021) between PAHO and the Organization of American States (OAS). This timely partnership aims to identify preliminary joint actions between the two agencies to guide and support Member States in the implementation and achievement of the SDGs, especially those goals outside the scope of the health sector. The first publication of this strategic alliance aligns each SDG with existing mandates and interagency collaborations, in order to identify existing means and mechanisms that will facilitate the translation of the 2030 Agenda's theories of equity and multisectoral collaboration into policies and processes that can generate positive outcomes for all. Beyond supporting national and regional action, the mapping aims to simplify coordination and reporting efforts on the part of national governments striving to achieve objectives under multiple international frameworks, and to more closely align the Inter-American and United Nations systems.
• EURO's strategic planning and programming under the 2030 Agenda has been formulated largely in response to Member State requests for specific guidance. Numerous of the EURO committal documents in 2017 and forthcoming in 2018, have been developed in light of the Agenda 2030 implementation. The EURO roadmap has been discussed by the major stakeholders in its preparations and across agencies.
• The Regional Action Agenda on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific also stresses the importance of engaging and working with a broader range of stakeholders, including parliamentary bodies and local and city governments, including mayors.
• WPRO has strengthened its collaboration with Parliamentarians through the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (established in 2015). The forum's second meeting in Seoul on 24-25 November 2016 focused on the SDGs and resulted in the adoption of the Seoul Declaration, stressing parliamentarian's essential role in advancing health in the SDGs through enacting legislation, approving budgets and mobilizing resources, providing oversight to ensure government accountability and transparency, ensuring national implementation of global commitments, and fostering political constituencies.
• The Western Pacific Region also has a long history of collaborating with local and city governments, for example through the healthy cities and healthy islands movements. The central place of cities and communities was most recently recognized in the Shanghai Consensus on Healthy Cities (2016), adopted by more than 100 mayors at the 9th Global Conference on Health Promotion.
• Senior WPRO staff regularly promote the SDGs and work towards them through keynote addresses at major Regional, country-level and international conferences (e.g. the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health meeting (Seoul), the Asia Pacific Public Health Conference (Malaysia) and the Japan Society for international Health.
• WHO South Pacific representative office has supported Fiji, Kiribati and Tonga to attend 1st and 2nd UHC Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting with in-country experience in expanding health service coverage and enhancing health finance. The office also convened a subregional consultation meeting: to share evidence and best practice of health system strengthening; to discuss the current gaps in health service delivery; and to articulate recommendations for achieving Healthy Islands vision with regard to UHC.
• In Malaysia, WHO together with other UN agencies supported Government in the preparation of the national SDG roadmap including engagement of civil society and the private sector through a consultative process.
7. Has your organization organized any conferences, forums or events designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning? If yes, please provide a brief summary below and include lessons learned and gaps identified based on the outcomes of these events. Please also include any events you plan to organize in the coming years.
Global Level
• WHO ministerial level meeting in 2017 on ending TB gained substantially from the intensive efforts to secure participation from ministers within and beyond health at high number (120 countries represented), with host country (Russian Federation) present at head of state level and financially supporting), explicit linkage to United Nations Secretary General/United Nations General Assemby (UNSG/UNGA) efforts, and large range of international and regional agencies, stakeholders involved. Has shown impact in accelerating explicit high-level planning and target setting.
• GMP convenes the 21 E2020 malaria eliminating countries forum annually. The first form was held in 2017.
• WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases department convened its 2nd high-level Global Partners Meeting (19 April, Geneva, Switzerland) which focused on mainstreaming NTDs within the SDG agenda, with particular attention to UHC.
• WHO HIV Department has convened regional capacity building workshops on implementing Treat All towards the SDG goals and universal health coverage. These highlighted the challenges and special efforts needed to reach key populations, so no one is left behind.
Regional Level
• To ensure that PAHO's SDG-related activities are fully grounded in national and Regional priorities and circumstances, a series of national consultations have taken place both virtually and in-person. A regional workshop was held in Medellin, Colombia in November 2015 to enhance the capacities of PAHO Member States' country offices, health ministries, and other public institutions involved with the implementation of 2030 Agenda in the Americas. Approximately 50 technical officers participated, representing about 20 countries of the region. These consultations provided an opportunity for dialogue between PAHO and country representatives on programmatic and technical resources for the implementation of 2030 Agenda with a health lens; a platform to share and cross-reference national experiences in achieving SDG targets related directly or indirectly to health; and a recognition of the need for an integrated, multisectoral strategy to address health inequities, such as HiAP. In addition, PAHO has been working with several institutions in the Region to strengthen country capacity on the actual implementation of the SDGs across the region. A case in point is PAHO's collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solution Network and Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), a Collaborating Center in Brazil, described below.
• In September 2015, a meeting of PAHO Collaborating Centers was held that was focused on environmental health strategy, with strong links to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its significance to research in this field going forward. Since then, PAHO has developed and circulated an advanced draft of the document "Measuring Progress on Environmental Health through the Sustainable Development Goals", following a workshop to discuss environmental health indicators related to the SDGs. Several country profiles are now being prepared for countries throughout the Region, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia and the United States.
• Numerous events and conferences have been organized in EURO. An exhaustive list with web links can be found here:
o Cross-sectoral toolkit to guide Member States along SDG roadmap 25-01-2018
A technical meeting successfully advanced the development of a toolkit for Member States that will guide activities towards achieving health, equity and well-being for all at all ages within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2-day meeting took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 18-19 January 2018.
10th European Public Health Conference: subnational actors and small states come together to promote resilient and healthy communities 19-01-2018
A series of workshops organized by the WHO Regions for Health Network (RHN) during the 10th European Public Health Conference, "Sustaining resilient and healthy communities", Stockholm, Sweden, 1-4 November 2017, provided actors from the subnational level and small countries a platform for addressing current health affairs from their unique perspectives. Topics, such as integration-for-health systems, transformative health promotion and gender stereotypes, the Sustainable Development Goals and urban environments, were tackled in the light of the challenges and opportunities specific to subnational actors and small states.
Implementing the 2030 Agenda: case studies from the Regions for Health Network15-01-2018
As part of its role to support the Member States, the WHO Regions for Health Network (RHN) has identified best practice and relevant experience, which can boost the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015). This information was recently compiled in a new publication entitled "Sustainable development in Wales and other regions in Europe - achieving health and equity for present and future generations".
WHO supports Romania's integration of health in sustainable development 29-12-2017
On 12 November 2017, WHO organized the first multistakeholder meeting in Bucharest, Romania, to create a shared vision of health within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Participants discussed ways to achieve health and well-being for all at all ages as part of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is in line with the 2030 Agenda, which calls for involving different sectors and stakeholders in actions aimed at sustainable development.
Turkmenistan to move faster towards sustainable development with United Nations support 13-12-2017 WHO along with other United Nations agencies and the World Bank conducted an assessment visit to Turkmenistan to support the country in making more effective steps towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Annual regional meeting focuses on tobacco taxation and policy coherence12-12-2017
Representatives of over 40 countries gathered in Heidelberg, Germany, for the annual European regional meeting on the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on 30 November-1 December 2017. The meeting focused on two key topics in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): tobacco taxation and policy coherence in tobacco control.
Have your say: take the WHO United Nations (UN) consultation survey and contribute to the UN's work to end tuberculosis, HIV and viral hepatitis in the WHO European Region11-12-2017
If you are a member of a civil society organization or a national or international partner organization, a patient, or part of an affected community, or if you simply have strong opinions you would like to share to contribute to the UN's work to end tuberculosis (TB), HIV and viral hepatitis in the Region, WHO/Europe wants to hear from you.
Living longer, healthier lives - working towards integrated, people-centred care for older persons 29-09-2017
Health-care systems must serve all people at all ages and leave no one behind - this idea is embedded in the core vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the world marks International Day of Older Persons on 1 October, WHO will launch new guidelines on integrated care for older people (ICOPE) to support the work of Member States towards creating more integrated, person-centred health and long-term care for people at all ages.
Endemic measles interrupted in 42 out of 53 countries in the Region26-09-2017
The number of countries in the Region that have demonstrated interruption of measles and rubella continues to increase and now stands at 42 for measles and 37 for rubella. However, Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, warns that immunization coverage is decreasing. 1 in every 15 children still does not receive the first vaccination dose against measles and rubella on time.
European leaders set new roadmap to achieve 2030 Agenda and improve 900 million people's health and well-being07-09-2017
Health leaders gather at the annual meeting of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe. In Budapest, Hungary on 11-14 September 2017 they will take decisions on health priorities that will have an impact on the health and well-being of about 900 million people in the WHO European Region, including in the European Union, central and eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia.
Regional Committee: making decisions on key health priorities for the European Region 29-08-2017
On 11 September 2017 in Budapest, Hungary, health ministers and high-level representatives of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, along with partner organizations and civil society, will gather for the annual WHO Regional Committee for Europe. The committees provide an opportunity to discuss and make decisions related to key health priorities in the Region. In this year's 67th session, and in alignment with the Health 2020 policy framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, participants will consider topics ranging from building a sustainable health workforce to improving the environment and health.
Health sector leading the way on adapting SDGs in Kyrgyzstan08-06-2017
With support from WHO and other development partners, the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan has become an active leader in setting priorities and adapting the SDGs to make implementation possible at the national level.
Better future: Health for all, all for health 19-05-2017
In September 2015, heads of state and government adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations emphasizes that everyone needs to play their part if the SDGs are to be reached: governments, the private sector and civil society. The 17 SDGs and their 169 associated targets are global in nature, universally applicable and interlinked. Health has a central place as a major contributor and beneficiary of sustainable development policies. SDG 3, "Health and well-being for all", is strengthened by the 13 health targets, and additional health-related targets are set out under other goals.
Reducing the SDG reporting burden: WHO/Europe's initiative presented at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 09-05-2017
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underscores the importance of "quality, accessible, timely and reliable disaggregated data … to help with the measurement of progress and to ensure that no one is left behind" (Paragraph 48). Improving the collection, coordination, analysis and dissemination of data and building statistical capacities for monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain significant challenges for all countries in the WHO European Region and beyond.
WHO Regional Director for Europe highlights key health aspects for SDG implementation at the first Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 03-05-2017
The first Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Region took place in Geneva on 25 April 2017. The meeting was intended to follow up on and review progress towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region. The Forum, which will be held annually, is designed to provide input from the UNECE region to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), which oversees follow-up and review processes at the global level.
WHO European Healthy Cities Network adopts the Pécs Declaration14-03-2017
The WHO European Healthy Cities Network Annual Conference drew to a close on Friday 3 March, with mayors and political leaders adopting the 2017 Healthy Cities Pécs Declaration. This reconfirms their commitment to creating inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable societies.
First meeting of the Health and SDGs Expert Working Group provides input to roadmap for healthand sustainable development in the Region25-01-2017
In 2016, countries of the WHO European Region recognized that the Health 2020 policy framework and related World Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions provide a strong foundation upon which to position health at the centre of initiatives to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The WHO Regional Committee for Europe also endorsed the development of a roadmap to support countries in this endeavour.
Kick-off meeting of UN European coalition on health identifies 4 workstreams for joint action13-01-2017
The UN European coalition on health is a coordination mechanism focusing on the achievement of SDG 3 - to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages - in the pan-European Region, and of the health-related targets present in other SDGs.
Communicating health and the Sustainable Development Goals: experiences from small countries of the WHO European Region01-11-2016
One of the 4 key action areas of WHO/Europe's small countries initiative is to support the implementation of Health 2020 by better engaging the media as a partner. Collaborating with the media to raise awareness of health issues, goals and targets is also critical to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls for the involvement of civil society, the private sector and individuals from every country in order to hold governments accountable and ensure progress.
Ministers endorse joint statement on climate change and health at high-level meeting of small countries12-10-2016
Today, health ministers and policy-makers from eight European countries endorsed a statement that commits them to joining efforts in protecting people's health from adverse effects of climate change. The Third High-level Meeting of Small Countries, which includes WHO European countries with a population of less than one million, took place in Monaco on 11-12 October 2016 to strengthen collaboration in tackling today's complex health challenges.
New European platform for partnerships across sectors, United Nations agencies and civil society 13-12-2016
The second day of the high-level conference Working together for better health and well-being focused on how to implement intersectoral and cross-governmental policies. A common observation among delegates was the need to identify and communicate co-benefits for sectors other than health in order to generate effective, sustainable partnerships. They agreed to establish a new platform to improve and implement collaboration.
• The development of the action agenda was informed by a Member States meeting on achieving the SDGs in the Western Pacific in June 2016. Among other events, SDGs were the overarching focus at:
o The 9th Global Conference on Health Promotion, Shanghai, 21-24 November 2016 - resulted in the Shanghai Declaration on promoting health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
o The Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health, Seoul, 24-25 November 2016 - resulted in the Seoul Declaration (see also above).
o The 2nd Regional Forum on WHO Collaborating Centres, 28-29 November 2016
o A global conference on Health in all Policies and the SDGs, Adelaide, 30-31 March 2017 - resulted in the Adelaide Statement II
A technical workshop on Indicators, Data & Methods for Monitoring SDG & UHC, 24-26 May 2017
• In follow up to the regional action framework on Universal Health Coverage: Moving Towards Better Health (WPR/RC66.R2), the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific established a Universal Health Coverage Technical Advisory Group (UHC TAG) to review progress and provide advice to WHO and Member States on how to advance UHC in the Western Pacific Region. The UHC TAG meets annually in Manila; its third meeting is scheduled for November 2018.
• The theme of World Health Day 2018, celebrated on 7 April, will be "universal health coverage", providing an opportunity to raise awareness, review progress, and strengthen commitment to UHC/SDGs.
8. Is there any other information you would like to share, including annual reports of your organization and any impact assessment or evaluation reports? If yes, please use the space below and attach the document(s). Please also use this space to provide any other information, comments or remarks you deem necessary:
Global Level
• HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Viral Hepatitis, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Towards the end of the epidemics, Baseline report (2017). http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/258692/1/WHO-HTM-HMA-2017.03-eng.pdf
• Global hepatitis report 2017: http://www.who.int/hepatitis/publications/global-hepatitis-report2017/en/
• WHO Global TB Report 2017 linked explicitly to SDGs: http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/ and Moscow Declaration to End TB (in 6 UN languages) http://www.who.int/tb/features_archive/Online_Consultation_MinisterialConferenceDeclaration/en
• Impact is tracked annually in the World Malaria Report published on the WHO website.
Regional Level
• AMRO has drafted an internal progress report on Regional Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals in early 2017. Since then there have been active efforts to mainstream the principles and priorities of the SDGs across the Organization's activities.
• Selected EURO documents:
Many background and information documents were produced by all EURO colleagues, to support the roadmap. Please find here a list of selected publications. For more details, please visit
Developing a common set of indicators for the joint monitoring framework for SDGs, Health 2020 and the Global NCD Action Plan (2017)
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-policy/sustainable-development-goals/publications.
Fact sheets on the sustainable development goals, health targets (ongoing work)
Declaration of the 6th Ministerial Conference on Environment and health
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/341944/OstravaDeclaration_SIGNED.pdf?ua=1
Sustainable Development Goals: initial mapping of World Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions, strategies and action plans (2017)
Social return on investment - Accounting for value in the context of implementing Health 2020 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2017)
Investment for health and well-being: a review of the social return on investment from public health policies to support implementing the Sustainable Development Goals by building on Health 2020.Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report 51
Key policies for addressing the social determinants of health and health inequities. Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report 52
Environmentally sustainable health systems: a strategic document (2017)
Declaration of the Paris high-level conference. Working together for better health and well-being 7-8 December 2016, Paris, France
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/325180/Paris_Declaration_ENG.pdf?ua=1
Evidence on financing and budgeting mechanisms to support intersectoral actions between health, education, social welfare and labour sectors (2016).
Background Paper of the Paris high-level conference Working together for better health and well-being
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/324656/Background-Paper.pdf?ua=1
Health Diplomacy: European perspectives (2017)
Core health indicators, with a focus on the SDGs (2017)
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/346325/CHI_EN_WEB.pdf?ua=1
Voices of the Region:
9. In your view, what should a strategic plan for the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs look like? What key elements should it include and major challenges address in such a road map?
Global Level
• Should include strong practical examples of cross-agency work in support of national 2030 agendas.
• It should redefine the focus on impact and in particularly country impact, and then cascade this down to how the UN is planning its activities and country capacity to support this.
Regional Level
• A strategic plan for the UN System in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs should feature opportunities for building Member State capacity to collect, analyze and interpret data, and translate evidence into policy. Robust, disaggregated data has been acknowledged as key to programming that addresses health inequities, a longstanding and intractable dynamic in the Region of the Americas.
• We also encourage use of systematic and formalized modes of two-way communications, for both sharing updates on progress and institutional guidance on ongoing trends and discussions concerning the 2030 Agenda.
• Given their comprehensive and interdependent nature, the SDGs challenge the UN system as well as Member States and partners to go beyond business as usual. This should be the starting point for a strategic plan for the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
• The need for stronger emphasis globally on changing the approach to research and innovation, going beyond specific conditions, challenges or issues to foster action research that links across programmes, sectors and stakeholders in the context of the SDGs.
• Leaving no-one behind is central to UHC and the SDGs. Attention to equity and related intersectionalities needs to be systematically integrated into all steps of the project cycle.
• Strengthening country and UN capacity for collection and management of disaggregated data (including using technological innovations to streamline and make reporting more efficient and reliable) and particularly increasing country capacity for good quality analysis of disaggregated data that will be useful for both policy and service delivery, will be critical for countries to be able to identify those left behind and the equity issues that need to be addressed. For the UN, capacity for more comparative analyses on key issues will be needed, which will be more complex than in the past due to the need to undertake more disaggregated analysis.
• The SDGs require new capabilities to advance whole-of-systems, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches that leave no-one behind. This will also require new capabilities in the UN system to inform, influence and institutionalise ways to advance the SDGs.
10. Please indicate one or two endeavor or initiatives you suggest that the UN system organizations could undertake together to support the implementation of the SDGs between now and 2030:
Global Level
• Cross-agenda internal consultations and civil society fora.
• UHC (SDG 3.8)
Regional Level
• AMRO has found Regional collaboration with ECLAC and other Regional stakeholders to be productive elements of its 2030 Agenda activities, with clear benefits for Member States. More Regional opportunities for cooperation and collaboration would be welcome.
• EURO has found the European Regional Director Coordination mechanisms as extremely helpful in coordinating the ensuring coherence across agencies.
• There is need to limit the data collection burden on countries by reporting better rather than reporting more. This requires mutual learning, better coordination across partners and issues, investment in analytical capacity in countries, and the use of analysis (including equity analysis) to inform policy and action.
• The SDGs require the operationalization of the commitment to leaving no one behind, offering opportunities for joint work (and resourcing) across sectors and organizations: this will require renewed efforts to promote mutual learning, continuous dialogue and learning, and stronger partnerships with old and newer partners.
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