WHO regional committee for eastern Mediterranean

The 48th session of the World Health Organization regional committee for the Eastern Mediterranean is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 30 through October 3.

The session chairmanship was entrusted to Saudi Arabia while Iran and Morocco were elected respectively first and second deputy-chairmen.

The session will discuss the Annual Report of the Regional Director for the year 2000, review the Proposed Program Budget (2004-2005) and look into the report of the Regional Consultative Committee (25th Meeting)

It will discuss a set of other documents related to mental health AIDS in the eastern Mediterranean region, a report on tobacco-free initiative, a progress report on eradication of poliomyelitis and a progress report on the role of WHO in emergencies and disasters.

The session is also to look into a progress report on flour fortification in the eastern Mediterranean region, review the proposed Program Budget (2004-2005) and designate member states for the eastern Mediterranean region to the WHO Executive Board.

Other topics deal with promotion of healthy lifestyles in the region, health and medical informatics in the region, violence control, and renewed health research for development in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Delegates of some 20 countries are taking part in the session.