Geneva, 19 April 2016
Office of the
Secretary General
Dear Madam President,
Dear Mr. President,
The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the decision-making body of the World Health
Organization (WHO). The Assembly meets every May in Geneva. It is attended by
delegations from all Members of WHO and is where the work of WHO is reviewed,
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where new goals are set and new tasks are assigned. The 69 WHA will take place in
Geneva from 23 to 28 May 2016.
I am pleased to announce that the IPU will hold the first ever parliamentary session
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during the 69 WHA. The side event
Parliaments as key actors in ensuring access to
health for all
will be held on 26 May 2016 from 12:15 to 13:45 in room VII of the Palais
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des Nations in Geneva. It is open to parliamentarians attending the 69 World Health
Assembly as members of their national delegation.
The side event will provide parliamentarians with an opportunity to contribute to the
global health agenda. Parliamentarians will be able to discuss how to make the best
use of the wide variety of action that parliaments are taking on women’s, children’s
and adolescents’ health in order to achieve health-related SDGs and universal health
coverage. Participant will also have the chance to consider potential ways to
strengthen cooperation with relevant health actors.
The parliamentary session will be conducted in English, French and Spanish. I am
pleased to attach the concept note for the event. In order to be included in your
national delegation to the WHA and attend the parliamentary event, members of
parliament should contact their national Ministry of Health, as WHO has designated
them as the focal point for organizing the composition of national delegations.
I am looking forward to welcoming members of your parliament to this important event.
I would be grateful if you could communicate their names to the IPU at the following
address:
Yours sincerely,
Martin Chungong
Secretary General