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20, AVENUE APPIA – CH-1211 GENEVA 27 – SWITZERLAND – TEL CENTRAL +41 22 791 2111 – FAX CENTRAL +41 22 791 3111 – WWW.WHO.INT Ref.: C.L.40.2025 The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has the honour to communicate to Members of the Organization, in accordance with Rules 5 and 8 of the Rules ... of Procedure of the Executive Board, the provisional agenda and provisional annotated agenda for the 158th session of the Executive Board, which will be held in person from Monday, 2 to Saturday 7 February 2026, 1 commencing at 09:30 (CET) at WHO headquarters, Geneva. There is no limitation applying to the number of persons registering as part of Member States and Associate Members’ delegations. However, in view of the space restrictions two persons per each Member State may be present in the meeting room where the Executive Board is convened. Registration can be initiated as of 22 December 2025 by going to the following link: https://events.who.int/EB158. Registration should be completed by 23 January 2026. In accordance with resolution WHA49.9 (1996), and to support the aim of achievement of SDG 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), the Director-General invites Member States to consider that gender balance be applied to their delegations. The Code of Conduct to prevent harassment, including sexual harassment at WHO events, is available at the following link: Code of Conduct to prevent harassment, including sexual harassment, at WHO events. Documents for the 158th session of the Executive Board can be accessed on the Internet through the WHO website (https://apps.who.int/gb/gov/) as they become available and practical ... information for delegates is attached. Member States are reminded that, as agreed by the Executive Board at its 143rd session, governing body meetings are paperless. The Director-General of the World Health Organization takes this opportunity to renew to Members of the Organization the assurance of his highest consideration. GENEVA, 8 December 2025 1 See Executive Board decision EB157(10) (2025). ... ENCLS.: (3)  REGISTRATION Online registration is required to participate in the Executive Board which will be held in person. Before each meeting, an invitation is sent to Member States indicating a link to access the electronic Registration System (CVENT). Each participant is invited to register her/himself. Registration can be initiated as of 22 December 2025 by going to the following link: https://events.who.int/EB158 and should be completed by 23 January 2026. The WHO Department of Governing Bodies will verify the information received which will then be submitted into the registration system to generate the meeting badges and the list of participants. CREDENTIALS The credentials shall be issued by the Head of State, the Head of Government, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Health, or any other appropriate authority, i.e. Permanent Missions and senior government officials, such as Directors-General for Health. A copy of the credentials will have to be uploaded and submitted through the online registration system before the opening of the 158th session of the Executive Board. Credentials should include the following information for each participant: LAST NAME (in capital letters), first name, title, function, institution, city, gender (unless indicated in title). Credentials should be uploaded when registering in the online registration system and not be sent by email. A confirmation of registration will be sent through the online registration system. ACCESS TO WHO HEADQUARTERS Members of the delegations must register according to the timelines through the online registration system in order to collect their badge and access WHO. Please note that any late registrations will result in delays in securing badges upon arrival at WHO. In view of the space restrictions, please note that up to two members of each delegation of EB Member States may be present at a time in the meeting room. VISAS Attention is drawn to the strict provisions in force regarding entry into Switzerland – those not having the required visa will be refused entry. As of 13 December 2008, Switzerland has applied the Schengen visa regulations. Therefore, certain nationalities travelling to WHO headquarters to participate in meetings will require a Schengen visa in order to enter Switzerland. Since that date, it is no longer sufficient for a participant to present the invitation letter in order to obtain a visa. A visa support letter prepared by WHO/HQ is now required. Before requesting a visa support letter, participants are advised to contact their nearest Swiss embassy or consulate to determine whether or not they require a visa. Member States requiring the assistance of WHO to obtain a Swiss Schengen visa are kindly invited to do so when they register for the meeting through the online registration system. EB158/ENCL./1  Executive Board 158th session ________________________________________________________________________________ Geneva, 2–7 February 2026 EB158/1 24 November 2025 ________________________________________________________________________________ Provisional agenda 1. Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda Documents EB158/1 and EB158/1 (annotated) 2. Report by the Director-General Document EB158/2 3. Report of the regional committees to the Executive Board Document EB158/3 4. Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board Document EB158/4 5. Report of the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Document EB158/5 Provide health 6. Follow-up to the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases Document EB158/6 7. Mental health Document EB158/7 8. Communicable diseases • Immunization Agenda 2030 Document EB158/8 EB158/1 2 • Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 Document EB158/9 • End TB Strategy Document EB158/10 9. Universal health coverage • Draft global strategy for integrated emergency, critical and operative care, 2026–2035 Document EB158/11 • Increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs Document EB158/12 • Rare diseases: a global health priority for equity and inclusion Document EB158/13 10. Primary healthcare Document EB158/14 11. Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Document EB158/15 12. Substandard and falsified medical products Document EB158/16 13. Report of the Expert Advisory Group on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel Document EB158/17 14. Draft updated global action plan on antimicrobial resistance Document EB158/18 15. Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector Document EB158/19 EB158/1 3 Protect health 16. WHO’s work in health emergencies Document EB158/20 17. Strengthening the evidence base for public health and social measures Document EB158/21 18. Global Health and Peace Initiative Document EB158/22 19. Poliomyelitis Document EB158/23 20. Implementation of resolution WHA75.11 (2022) Document EB158/24 21. Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem Document EB158/25 Promote health 22. Strengthening rehabilitation in health systems Document EB158/26 23. Well-being and health promotion Document EB158/27 • Outcome of the WHO Commission on Social Connection Document EB158/28 24. Draft global plan of action for the health of Indigenous Peoples Document EB158/29 25. Maternal, infant and young child nutrition Document EB158/30 26. Economics of health for all Document EB158/31 EB158/1 4 Power and performance 27. Budget and finance matters 27.1 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025 and outlook on the Programme budget 2026–2027 Document EB158/32 27.2 Amendments to the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules [if any] 28. Management and governance matters 28.1 Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment Document EB158/33 28.2 Evaluation: update and proposed workplan for 2026–2027 Document EB158/34 28.3 Update on the Infrastructure Fund • Geneva buildings renovation strategy • Update on information management and technology Document EB158/35 28.4 Governance reform • Member State-led governance reform Documents EB158/36 and EB158/37 • Secretariat implementation plan on reform Document EB158/38 • Template and recommended timeline for proposing resolutions and decisions Document EB158/39 • Cost recovery mechanisms for voluntary contributions1 Document EB158/38 • Implementation of the process for handling and investigating potential allegations against WHO Directors-General Document EB158/40 1 A separate document was not produced for this item. EB158/1 5 28.5 Proposed amendments to the process for the selection of the External Auditor Document EB158/41 28.6 Engagement with non-State actors • Report on the implementation of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors Document EB158/42 • Non-State actors in official relations with WHO Documents EB158/43, EB158/43 Add.1 and EB158/43 Add.2 29. Collaboration within the United Nations system and with other intergovernmental organizations 29.1 Reform of the global health architecture and the UN80 initiative Document EB158/44 29.2 Communications of the United Nations Secretary-General as depositary of the Constitution of the World Health Organization Document EB158/45 30. Governance implications for WHO arising from the reassignment of a Member State from one region to another Document EB158/46 31. Provisional agenda of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly and date and place of the 159th session of the Executive Board Documents EB158/47 and EB158/48 32. Committees of the Executive Board 32.1 Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Document EB158/49 32.2 Foundation committees and selection panels Documents EB158/50, EB158/51 and EB158/51 Add.1 32.3 Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee: membership renewal [if any] 33. Staffing matters 33.1 Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations Document EB158/INF./1 EB158/1 6 33.2 Report of the Ombudsperson Document EB158/INF./2 33.3 Human resources: update Document EB158/52 33.4 Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules Document EB158/53 33.5 Report of the International Civil Service Commission Document EB158/54 34. Report on meetings of expert committees and study groups Documents EB158/55 and EB158/55 Add.1 35. Closure of the session ---  Executive Board 158th session ________________________________________________________________________________ Geneva, 2–7 February 2026 EB158/1 (annotated) 24 November 2025 ________________________________________________________________________________ Provisional agenda (annotated) 1. Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda 2. Report by the Director-General 3. Report of the regional committees to the Executive Board The Board will be invited to consider the recommendations and comments of the regional committees in the reports submitted pursuant to decision WHA65(9) (2012). 4. Report of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board The Board will receive at the opening of its session the report of the forty-third meeting of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee, which is scheduled to be held from 28 to 30 January 2026. 5. Report of the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response The Board will receive the report of the seventh meeting of the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response, which was held on 16 and 17 September 2025. Provide health 6. Follow-up to the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases Pursuant to decision WHA72(11) (2019) and resolution WHA71.6 (2018), the Director-General will submit a consolidated report outlining progress made on the follow-up to the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and on the implementation of the WHO global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide further guidance. 7. Mental health Pursuant to decision WHA78(11) (2025) calling for a dedicated report on mental health, the Director-General will submit an annual report outlining progress made on decision WHA74(14) (2021) relating to the implementation of the comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2030 and on resolution WHA77.3 (2024) on strengthening mental health and psychosocial support before, during and after armed conflicts, natural and human-caused disasters and health and other emergencies. EB158/1 (annotated) 2 8. Communicable diseases • Immunization Agenda 2030 In line with resolution WHA70.14 (2017) and decision WHA73(9) (2020), the Director-General will submit a report outlining progress made towards achieving the goals of the Immunization Agenda 2030. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide guidance. • Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 Pursuant to decision WHA73(33) (2020), the Director-General will submit a report outlining progress made in the implementation of the road map for neglected tropical diseases. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide further guidance on the actions required to achieve the targets set for 2030. • End TB Strategy Pursuant to resolution WHA73.3 (2020), the Director-General will submit a report to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly outlining progress made in implementing the End TB Strategy and in the global strategy for tuberculosis research and innovation. The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision. 9. Universal health coverage • Draft global strategy for integrated emergency, critical and operative care, 2026–2035 Pursuant to decision WHA77(8) (2024), the Director-General will submit to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly a report that includes a draft global strategy for integrated emergency, critical and operative care for the period 2026–2035 to support the implementation of resolution WHA76.2 (2023). The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision. • Increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs Pursuant to resolution WHA77.4 (2024), the Director-General will submit to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly a report on progress made to develop a draft global strategy for increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs. The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision. • Rare diseases: a global health priority for equity and inclusion Pursuant to resolution WHA78.11 (2025), the Director-General will submit a report outlining progress made in implementing the resolution and activities undertaken by the Secretariat following the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. The Board will be invited to note the report. 10. Primary healthcare In accordance with resolution WHA72.2 (2019) and decision WHA77(16) (2024), the Director-General will submit a report summarizing progress towards achieving universal health coverage by 2030, specifically on progress made in strengthening primary healthcare and including in implementing the vision and commitments of the Declaration of Astana. The Board will be invited to note the report and identify priorities on primary healthcare in preparation for the third high-level meeting on universal health coverage in 2027. EB158/1 (annotated) 3 11. Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development The Director-General will submit a report outlining how WHO is accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the triple billion targets through data-driven and digitally enabled strategies that strengthen health systems, build national data and digital health capacity and reduce health inequities. The Board will be invited to note the report. 12. Substandard and falsified medical products Pursuant to decision WHA78(12) (2025), the Director-General will transmit the report of the fourteenth meeting of the Member State mechanism, detailing the progress made on the prioritized activities for the period 2024–2025, outlining the priorities for 2026–2027, and recommending to the Board consideration of the future of the Member State mechanism, with further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. The Board will be invited to note the report. 13. Report of the Expert Advisory Group on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel In accordance with decision WHA78(13) (2025), the Director-General will submit a report to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly on the outcomes of regional consultations on and the latest developments in relation to health worker migration. The Board will be invited to note the report. 14. Draft updated global action plan on antimicrobial resistance Pursuant to decision WHA78(15) (2025), the Director-General will submit to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly the draft updated global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, developed by the Secretariat in collaboration with the Quadripartite alliance and in consultation with Member States and other stakeholders. The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision. 15. Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector The Director-General will submit a report highlighting the growing number of Member State requests for WHO’s leadership in strengthening the core regulatory approaches and standards in data and digital health, including governance, policy and interoperability, as essential components for advancing precision medicine, artificial intelligence and digital transformation and building equitable, artificial intelligence- ready health systems. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide further guidance. Protect health 16. WHO’s work in health emergencies The Director-General will submit a report describing WHO’s response in 2025 to 43 graded health emergencies across 74 countries and territories and the concurrent operational challenges. WHO will continue to coordinate the health response, collaborate with partners, provide support to Member States in building critical capacities and advocate for sustainable financing to address the increasing humanitarian health needs. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide guidance on how to meet demand within challenging operational and funding environments. 17. Strengthening the evidence base for public health and social measures Pursuant to resolution WHA78.3 (2025), the Director-General will submit a report on the progress made in strengthening evidence for public health and social measures, summarizing the Secretariat actions to support Member States in collating, reviewing and updating best-practice guidance for related research – addressing methodological, legal, and ethical considerations – and developing flexible study EB158/1 (annotated) 4 protocols to measure the effectiveness of public health and social measures. The Board will be invited to note the report. 18. Global Health and Peace Initiative In accordance with resolution WHA77.9 (2024), the Director-General will submit a report on progress to continue evidence gathering; communication and awareness-raising; capacity-building; dialogue and partnership on health and peace. The Board will be invited to note the report. 19. Poliomyelitis The Director-General will submit a report on work towards implementing and financing all aspects of the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026 and on planning to secure a lasting polio-free world, including polio transition and the development of the Sustaining a Polio-free World: A strategy for long-term success. The Board will be invited to note the report. 20. Implementation of resolution WHA75.11 (2022) Pursuant to decision WHA78(10) (2025), the Director-General will submit a report to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly on the implementation of resolution WHA75.11 (2022), including an assessment of the direct and indirect impact of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine on the health of the population of Ukraine, as well as related regional and wider-than-regional health impacts, including reporting on its adverse effect on the attainment of the objective and functions of WHO. The Board will be invited to note the report. 21. Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem In accordance with decision WHA78(16), the Director-General will submit a report to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly on the public health implications of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, including with respect to acts of violence against the wounded and sick, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment. The Board will be invited to note the report. Promote health 22. Strengthening rehabilitation in health systems Pursuant to resolution WHA76.6 (2023), the Director-General will submit a report outlining the progress and results achieved in strengthening rehabilitation within health systems, including the integration of rehabilitation into WHO’s preparedness for and response to health emergencies. The Board will be invited to note the report. 23. Well-being and health promotion The Director-General will submit a report on the implementation of resolution WHA75.19 (2022) and decision WHA76(22) (2023), highlighting progress made in integrating well-being into public health via health promotion. The report includes recommendations from the Strategic Technical Advisory Group on Health Promotion, Well-being and Social Determinants of Health, suggests related policy pathways and presents findings on well-being measurement. The Board will be invited to note the report. • Outcome of the WHO Commission on Social Connection The Director-General will submit a report summarizing the progress made by the WHO Commission on Social Connection for the period 2023–2026 to promote social connection as a global public health priority through awareness-raising and evidence-based action on loneliness and social isolation. The Board will be invited to note the report. EB158/1 (annotated) 5 24. Draft global plan of action for the health of Indigenous Peoples Pursuant to resolution WHA76.16 (2023), the Director-General will submit a report containing an update on the development of the draft global plan of action for the health of Indigenous Peoples. The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision. 25. Maternal, infant and young child nutrition The Director-General will submit a report on progress towards the 2030 global nutrition targets and the achievements of the comprehensive implementation plan for maternal, infant, and young child nutrition. The report will also summarize work on nutrition standards in pre-schools and schools and on implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and related Health Assembly resolutions. 26. Economics of health for all As requested in resolution WHA77.13 (2024), the Director-General will submit to the Board for consideration and further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly a report on progress that includes a draft strategy on ways in which to implement an economics of health for all approach, including priority actions for Member States and other actors. The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision. Power and performance 27. Budget and finance matters 27.1 Financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025 and outlook on the Programme budget 2026–2027 The Director-General will submit a report on the financing and implementation of the Programme budget 2024–2025 and the outlook on financing for Programme budget 2026–2027. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide further guidance. 27.2 Amendments to the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules [if any] 28. Management and governance matters 28.1 Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment The Director-General will submit a report on progress made towards implementation of WHO’s three-year strategy for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct and adoption of the voluntary Member State accountability framework. The report will also describe the future outlook for strengthening prevention of and response to sexual misconduct. 28.2 Evaluation: update and proposed workplan for 2026–2027 The Director-General will submit a report outlining progress made in implementing the evaluation workplan for 2024–2025 and setting forth the proposed Organization-wide evaluation workplan for 2026–2027, the latter of which incorporates proposed corporate, decentralized, country programme and joint evaluations developed through consultation across the Organization and discussed with the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee. The Board will be invited to note the report and approve the 2026–2027 workplan. EB158/1 (annotated) 6 28.3 Update on the Infrastructure Fund • Geneva buildings renovation strategy • Update on information management and technology The Director-General will submit a report providing an update on the Information Technology Fund and outlining progress made on construction and renovation projects under the Geneva buildings renovation strategy. The report will also include an overview of the financial status of the two components of the Infrastructure Fund. The Board will be invited to note the report. 28.4 Governance reform • Member State-led governance reform The leads of Member State-led governance reform will be invited to report on progress made in developing a sustainable model for representing the membership’s interests in Member State-led governance reform and towards tracking the achievement and/or implementation of the remaining recommendations of the Agile Member States Task Group on Strengthening WHO’s Budgetary, Programmatic and Financing Governance, as requested by the Board in decision EB156(1) (2025). The Board will be invited to note the report and provide feedback on the model(s) described in the report. The Board will also consider a report prepared by the Officers of the Executive Board to accelerate the Member State-led governance reform process. • Secretariat implementation plan on reform The Director-General will submit a report on continued progress in implementing actions contained in the Secretariat’s implementation plan on reform, as proposed by the Secretariat and endorsed by the Board in decision EB152(16) (2023). The report will also provide an update on cost recovery and the contribution of the first WHO Investment Round to the flexibility and sustainability of voluntary contributions. • Template and recommended timeline for proposing resolutions and decisions Pursuant to paragraph 2(d) of decision EB153(2) (2023), the Director-General will prepare a report with guidance on the steps required (such as, potentially, changes to the Rules of Procedure) to advance the preparation of Member State draft resolutions and/or draft decisions for consideration by the Executive Board and recommendation to the Health Assembly. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide further guidance. • Cost recovery mechanisms for voluntary contributions • Implementation of the process for handling and investigating potential allegations against WHO Directors-General Pursuant to decision WHA78(8) (2025), the Director-General will submit a report on progress in securing agreements with internal oversight offices of specified United Nations agencies to serve as independent external investigative entities, and on developing internal tools, procedures and processes to implement the approved process for handling and investigating potential allegations against WHO Directors-General. 28.5 Proposed amendments to the process for the selection of the External Auditor The Director-General will submit a report outlining the revised selection and renewal process for external auditors and the composition of the review panel. EB158/1 (annotated) 7 28.6 Engagement with non-State actors • Report on the implementation of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors In accordance with resolution WHA69.10 (2016) on the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors and paragraph 68(a) of the latter, the Director-General will submit the tenth annual report on WHO’s implementation of the Framework, illustrating engagements with entities and reporting on the different aspects of the implementation of the Framework at the three levels of the Organization. The Board will be invited to note the report. • Non-State actors in official relations with WHO In line with the provisions of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors, the Executive Board is mandated, through its Programme, Budget and Administration Committee, to consider applications for admittance of non-State actors into official relations and to review collaboration with non-State actors in official relations in order to decide whether to maintain, defer the review or discontinue their official relations. The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision. 29. Collaboration within the United Nations system and with other intergovernmental organizations 29.1 Reform of the global health architecture and the UN80 initiative The Director-General will submit a report on the UN80 initiative and ongoing discussions on reform of the global health architecture, including information on WHO’s engagement in both processes. The report will discuss the potential implications of these initiatives for the Organization and global health and seek the advice of Member States with respect to next steps. 29.2 Communications of the United Nations Secretariat as depository of the Constitution of the World Health Organization Through decision WHA78(25) (2025), the Health Assembly decided to request the Board to consider the matters addressed in document A78/33 Add.1 at its 158th session, which relate to the notifications of withdrawal from the Organization from Argentina and the United States of America, and to submit a report thereon, as appropriate, to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. This report provides background and considerations related to this matter, to inform the deliberations of the Board, as it finds appropriate. 30. Governance implications for WHO arising from the reassignment of a Member State from one region to another The Director-General will submit a report on the governance implications arising from the reassignment of a Member State from one region to another, further to the outcomes of Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly. The Board will be invited to note the report. 31. Provisional agenda of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly and date and place of the 159th session of the Executive Board The Board will consider a draft decision on the date and place of the 159th session of the Executive Board. 32. Committees of the Executive Board 32.1 Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response As requested in decision EB156(39), the Director-General will submit a report on the mandates and the functions of the different governance and oversight mechanisms for health emergencies, with a view to EB158/1 (annotated) 8 identifying any gaps or duplications. The Board will be invited to note the report and provide further guidance. 32.2 Foundation committees and selection panels In his role as Administrator of the public health prizes and awards, the Director-General will submit a report on the administration of the prizes with a view to enhancing the equitable participation of members of the Executive Board in the selection panels and proposing other measures to streamline and recover some of the costs of their administration, while encouraging applications from all regions. The Board will be invited to note the report and consider a draft decision, including recommendations to the respective selection panels to amend their respective regulations. In his role as Secretary of the selection panels, the Director-General will submit, on their behalf, reports summarizing the recommendations of the selection panels and key relevant information about the recommended candidates for the six public health prizes and award to be awarded at the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. The Board will be invited to decide who the recipients of the awards will be. 32.3 Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee: membership renewal [if any] 33. Staffing matters 33.1 Statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations In a statement to the Board, the representative of the staff associations of WHO, IARC, PAHO and UNAIDS will highlight the views of the members on issues currently seen as of great importance for the Organization. 33.2 Report of the Ombudsperson As part of the Ombudsperson’s accountability, the WHO Ombudsperson reports annually to the Executive Board on the most relevant systemic issues identified during the period and provides observations on how the issues could be addressed. 33.3 Human resources: update The Director-General will submit an update to the human resources annual report for 2024 noted by the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2025. The report will summarize workforce data and describe activities conducted under the human resources strategy and within the major transformation workstreams in 2025. It will however mainly focus on the 2025 prioritization and realignment process and its impact. The Board will be invited to note the report. 33.4 Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules Amendments to the Staff Rules made by the Director-General will be submitted for confirmation by the Board in accordance with Staff Regulation 12.2. Proposed amendments to the Staff Regulations will be submitted to the Board for its consideration and for further submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. 33.5 Report of the International Civil Service Commission The Director-General will transmit the Commission’s report and recommendations to the Board. The Secretariat will provide the Board with a verbal summary of the salient points. The Board will be invited to note the report. EB158/1 (annotated) 9 34. Report on meetings of expert committees and study groups In compliance with Regulation 4.23 of the Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees, the Director-General will submit a report on meetings of expert committees and study groups, including a summary of the recommendations contained in the reports of expert committees and observations on their significance for public health policies and implications for the Organization’s programmes. The Board will be invited to note the report. In addition, the Director-General will provide details of both meetings and membership in respect of expert committees that met in 2025. 35. Closure of the session EB158/1 (annotated) 10 Note:1 1. The Officers of the Executive Board met with the Director-General on 2 October 2025. The meeting was held virtually using videoconference technology. As the Vice-Chair from Saudi Arabia was unable to attend, Mr Rakan Bin Dohaish, Deputy Minister of International Collaboration, Saudi Arabia, observed in the place of the Vice-Chair. Purpose of the meeting 2. In accordance with Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board, the meeting would review the existing draft provisional agenda of the 158th session of the Board, to be held in February 2026, together with proposals received for additional items, in order to prepare the provisional agenda. In line with Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board, any proposal for a new item should be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum. As part of recent governance reform efforts, the Secretariat had provided Member States with an updated model memorandum. 3. The meeting opened with a welcome from the Director-General to the Chair and other Officers. 4. The Chair of the Executive Board chaired the meeting. In his opening comments, he welcomed the Officers. He also noted that Regional Coordinators had been invited to attend as observers. 5. The Officers agreed to the proposed method of work. At the proposal of the Chair, they also agreed to discuss together the items on (a) the prioritization of proposals for the provisional agenda of the 158th session of the Executive Board and (b) the preparation of that agenda. Provisional agenda of the 158th session of the Executive Board 6. The Chair informed the Officers that 24 proposals for new agenda items had been received from Member States by the deadline of 18 September 2025 and included an explanatory memorandum. However, several proposals had subsequently been withdrawn and the meeting would therefore be considering 14 proposals. 7. The Chair pointed out that the draft provisional agenda was very heavy, not only in terms of the number of items it contained but also the density of each item. 8. The Chair reminded Officers of the template, requested by the Executive Board at its 144th session, which invited the Officers to consider several elements, including whether the proposed items addressed a global public health issue, a new subject within the scope of WHO, or an issue representing a significant public health burden, and how it aligned with the Fourteenth General Programme of Work, 2025–2028, and the Programme budget 2026–2027. The template also asked the Officers to consider the rationale for the proposal, the last time the proposed item was considered by the governing bodies, work performed currently by WHO in relation to the proposed item, and the existence of reporting requirements in relation to the proposed item. 1 See the Note for the Record of the meeting of the Director-General with the Officers of the Executive Board on 2 October 2025. EB158/1 (annotated) 11 9. The Chair proposed that, following their review, the Officers should decide to recommend one of five options: Option 1: accept the proposal as a new agenda item Option 2: combine the proposed item with an existing item Option 3: defer the proposed item to a later session Option 4: refer the proposal to another governing body, such as the regional committees or the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board Option 5: not include the proposal on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session. 10. The Chair also drew the Officers’ attention to a few proposals from the Secretariat. 11. The Officers of the Board agreed to make the recommendations set forth below: Provide health • that the proposed item on steatotic liver disease should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, noting that the subject of the proposal could be discussed under the existing overarching agenda item on noncommunicable diseases; • that the proposed item on stroke should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, bearing in mind that the subject was an integral component of the cardiovascular disease prevention and control programme and was therefore covered by comprehensive annual reporting on noncommunicable diseases in line with decision WHA72(11) (2019); • that the proposed item on addressing the burden of leptospirosis should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, as the subject had been discussed by the Board at its 156th session and there was already a mandate for action in that area through the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030, endorsed by the Health Assembly in decision WHA73(33) (2020); • that the proposed item on precision medicine should be accepted as part of a new agenda item to be entitled “Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector”, noting that it was among three proposals under consideration that were linked to digital health, all of which were timely in the light of the fast-moving nature of developments in artificial intelligence; • that the proposed item on teleradiology should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, as a recent mandate for work in that area had already been provided by the Health Assembly in resolution WHA78.13 (2025), and the subject would be discussed again by the Board in 2027; • that the proposed item on regulatory and ethical governance of data and artificial intelligence in the health sector should be accepted as part of a new agenda item to be entitled “Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector”; EB158/1 (annotated) 12 • that the proposed item on digital health transformation for resilient health systems should be accepted as part of a new agenda item to be entitled “Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector”; • that the proposed item on strengthening human resources for health for resilient and equitable health systems should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session as the topic, though important, was already covered by an existing agenda item on human resources for health; • that the Secretariat’s proposal to shift the bullet point on the outcome of the WHO Commission on Social Connection under the existing item on well-being and health promotion should be accepted, noting that its current position under the item on mental health did not fully reflect the breadth of the issue of social connection; • that the Secretariat’s proposal to add an item on primary healthcare as a bullet point or standalone item after the existing item on universal health coverage should be accepted, as reporting requirements on the two items were linked; Protect health • that the proposed item on health in conflict and displacement settings should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, as the subject could be taken up as part of comprehensive reporting on health emergencies in the current agenda; • that the proposed item on strengthening measurement of health and health-related Sustainable Development Goals in conflict-affected settings and mobile populations should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, as the subject could also be discussed as part of the broader agenda item on health emergencies; • that the proposed item on strengthening event-based surveillance and epidemic intelligence from open sources should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, noting that additional information would be needed in order to further refine the proposal for future consideration; Promote health • that the proposed item on corporal punishment as a public health concern should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, as it was part of ongoing work in the area of preventing violence against children and reporting requirements were already in place, with the next report due in May 2030; Power and performance • that the proposed item on safeguards for engagement with advocacy litigants in official relations under the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors should not be included on the agenda of the Executive Board at its 158th session, as it could be discussed under the existing agenda item on the Framework of Engagement with Non- State Actors. In that regard, the meeting recognized that the alternate to the Vice-Chair from Saudi Arabia requested that the proposal be accepted as a new agenda item; EB158/1 (annotated) 13 • that the proposed item on reform of the global health architecture and the UN80 initiative should be accepted as a subitem under the existing agenda item on collaboration within the United Nations system and with other intergovernmental organizations, noting that broader discussions on that subject were taking place globally, and that the proposal provided an opportunity for the Board to engage in a strategic discussion on the issue; • that the Secretariat’s proposal to add an item on proposed amendments to the process for the selection of the External Auditor should be accepted, as consideration of a new proposed process prior to submission to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly would allow the Board to determine whether follow-up work was needed during the intersessional period before the Health Assembly. Next steps 12. The Officers agreed to empower the Secretariat to make all necessary adjustments to the provisional agenda, and approved the provisional agenda as amended during the meeting. 13. Following the practice of previous years, the provisional agenda, annotated provisional agenda and notice of convocation would be dispatched eight weeks before the start of the 158th session of the Board. The Secretariat would inform the Member States that had made proposals of the respective outcomes, on the basis of the Officers’ recommendations. Update on governance reform 14. The Chair recalled that at the previous meeting in July 2025, the Officers had agreed for each Officer to organize regional consultations on the draft paper on governance reform and to regroup at the present meeting to discuss outstanding issues on reform. 15. After hearing summaries of each of the six regional consultations, the Chair reaffirmed the next steps in the governance reform process: the Secretariat would disseminate a summary of the present meeting to Member States, and thereafter would circulate a third revision of the draft governance reform paper for comments. The written feedback would be discussed by the Executive Board members at an informal meeting in mid-November, after which a fourth and final revision of the draft paper would be submitted to the Secretariat in early December. That paper would be the basis for the discussion by the Executive Board at its 158th session in February. --- Saatja: "ola" <[email protected]> Teema: WHO: C.L.40.2025 (EB158) Kuupäev: 2025-12-08 14:31 Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Dear Member States of the World Health Organization, Please find attached, in the six official languages, C.L.40.2025 regarding the 158th session of the Executive Board (2-7 February 2026). For any further information, please contact [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Best regards, Department of Governing Bodies World Health Organization ***DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A REPLY***