WHO Executive Board - 138th Session
(25-30 January 2016)

Agenda item 8.1: Implementation of IHR (2005) - Report of the First Meeting of the Review Committee on the Role of the IHR (2005) in the Ebola Outbreak and Response (25 January 2016)

Statement by India

Madam Chair,

1.   We have taken note of the report of the Director General on the implementation of IHR (2005), as also the progress report of the Review Committee. As is evident, we are now in the 'work in progress' stage and the preview report is likely be shared with us in March this year.

2.   The four major areas identified for recommendations by the Committee are fairly comprehensive. However, it should be of interest to know what was not implemented from the previous IHR Review Committee of 2011 and the reasons thereof.

3.   We suggest and trust that the recommendations of the current Review Committee will be within the framework of IHR (2005), as this framework is legally binding and the implementations of such recommendations can be faster. The external assessment being suggested by some Member States, although voluntary, may not be in consonance with IHR 2005. We need clarity on this issue.

4.   We also hope that the issue of required resources, both technical and financial, will also continue to be taken up with priority to address the gaps in IHR implementation faced by many countries.

I thank you Madam Chair.