Air Quality

Climate Change, Ozone Depletion and Ecosystem Changes
Contingency Planning, Preparedness and Response in Environmental Health Emergencies
Health Impact Assessment
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Toxic Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Each thematic working group has its own set of plans for dealing with their specific issues. They are responsible for the management of knowledge, reporting on progress, coordination and advocacy, and mobilizing resources. 

The thematic working groups can guide countries to address these issues by: determining which environmental conditions create or tend to create the greatest burden on disease and mortality; identifying vulnerable population groups; ascertaining impact information on emerging risks which may not be fully available; and bolstering ageing or deteriorated environmental management systems.

Representatives from the private sector, academia, civil society, regional centres, institutions, and other regional and global initiatives tackling a particular priority issue may be invited to join the thematic working groups.

Scientific Panel

The Scientific Panel supports and advises the secretariat in the scientific and technical aspects of work. It is made up of distinguished scientists and senior specialists and practitioners who abide by the principles of neutrality, objectivity and transparency.

The Scientific Panel is responsible for:

Reviewing and synthesizing current knowledge on environment and health issues facing the region and state-of-the-art interventions
Identifying and addressing gaps in knowledge
Prioritizing strategies that have proven effective in high- and low-income countries
Serving as a resource for technical and leadership capacity development
Guiding the development of the Regional Forum and relevant country work plans

The Scientific Panel convenes on an ad-hoc basis to address specific issues that have been identified in the ministerial meetings or high-level officials meetings of the Regional Forum. The chair ensures that its activities, decisions and recommendations are impartial and aligned with the overall objectives of the Regional Forum and the terms of reference of the panel.

Knowledge network

The Knowledge Network comprises various forums and initiatives that work to enhance the impact of the Regional Forum by creating synergies and avoiding redundancy and duplication of work at both the regional and country levels.

The Knowledge Network’s is responsible for:

• Generating information
• Sharing evidence and knowledge
• Reviewing and evaluating policies and actions
• Conducting research
• Nurturing environmental health champions
• Implementing leadership development strategies
• Creating events, platforms and mechanisms for sharing experiences and best practices, knowledge, tools, the research agenda, and findings
• Fostering new partnerships
• Supporting and encouraging innovation

The Clean Air Initiative (CAIAsia), the East Asia Conference on Sanitation and Hygiene (EASAN), and universities, research organizations and development agencies that work on environmental health are examples of existing initiatives, forums and institutions that are part of the Knowledge Network. New initiatives may be established by the Regional Forum to address environmental health priorities that have been integrated into the Regional Forum’s work plans.