- We would like to thank the Secretariat for the new proposal for a Framework of Engagement with non-state actors. We welcome the clearer structure of the revised document.
- The Secretariat has done much work to meet Member States' concerns that were expressed during the discussions in the World Health Assembly and the Regional Committees. The new text provides for clarifications and includes more specific details than the previous version.
- The aim of the Framework is to enhance collaboration between WHO and the different non-State Actors for the benefit of public health.
- We welcome the process of putting in place uniform rules for engagement throughout the organization. The framework will also serve to provide more clarity for the non-State Actors themselves on what they can expect when collaborating with WHO.
- We appreciate the emphasis put on the management of risks and protection of the good name of the organization while at the same time allowing for active interaction with different types of non-State actors.
- A clear improvement compared to the previous version comes in the form of strengthened mechanisms for oversight and the role of Member States through the PBAC.
- We welcome the establishment of a publicly available electronic tool with collated information on the non-State actors.
- The framework can be further improved as the proposal provides the possibility for revision after its operationalization, the first evaluation being planned in two years with a review by the WHA in 2018.
- We understand that some Member States still call for further work to be done before WHA68. Although this work may help to take this process forward, we are not in a position at this stage to agree to the proposal as drafted.
- However, we warmly welcome the intent of the proposal to adopt this framework no later than at the upcoming WHA. Only through implementation can we learn from experience.