WHO Civil Society Steering Committee meeting

24 August 2023 12:30 – 14:00 CET
Virtual event

This inaugural meeting of the Civil Society Commission Steering Committee will be held virtually and attendance is by invitation only.

Webcast

Objectives

The WHO Civil Society Commission strengthens dialogue, fosters collaboration, and provides recommendations to support WHO on its engagement with civil society at global, regional and national levels to achieve health for all and the objectives of the WHO and attainment of SDGs.

Function

The key responsibilities of the CSO Commission Steering Committee are to: 

  • Provide overall strategic direction and main deliverables for the work of the WHO Civil Society Commission, including supporting the development of the overall WHO Civil Society Commission workplans and strategies, in consultation with the Secretariat;
  • Jointly coordinate with the Secretariat the General meeting of the WHO Civil Society Commission, including development of relevant documentation and logistical support;
  • Provide input to support the development of an annual a report on the WHO Civil Society Commission activities by the Secretariat to be presented at the Commission’s annual meeting;
  • Advise WHO on applications to the WHO Civil Society Commission;
  • Support the Secretariat in the coordination of the establishment and in the oversight of working groups, including their Terms of Reference and workplans, and oversee all working group activities;
  • and Periodically review Commission participants compliance with the participation criteria. 

Meeting agenda

This meeting is organized for the WHO Director-General and the WHO CSO Commission members to discuss the initial priorities for the Steering Committee in its work.  

  1. Welcome remarks from Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General
  2. Steering Committee member introductions
  3. Presentation on the proposed priorities for the Steering Committee by the Steering Committee co-chairs
  4. Discussion between the Steering Committee members and the WHO Director-General
  5. Wrap up and closing of the meeting (5-10 minutes)

Background

The establishment of the WHO Civil Society Commission (SCO Commission) was agreed during the dialogue on social participation and accountability between Dr Tedros and civil society organizations during 2020 and 2021. The Terms of Reference for the Commission were finalized in January 2023 through consultations with different stakeholders. The CSO Commission is a WHO network with an Annual General meeting, Steering Committee, Working Groups and the Secretariat. 

The application process to participate in the WHO Civil Society Commission was opened in February 2023. At the same time a call for expression of interest to become a member of the CSO Commission Steering Committee was launched. 

The Steering Committee members were announced in July 2023. The approved participants to the CSO Commission will be announced in connection with the inaugural meeting of the steering Committee and the launch of the CSO Commission.