Presented by Leen Meulenbergs WHO Representative to the European Union and Executive Manager for Strategic Partnerships (PAR) in the WHO European Union, at the 66th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

1. Framework of Engagement with
non-State actors (FENSA)
Leen Meulenbergs
WHO Representative to the European Union and
Executive Manager for Strategic Partnerships (PAR)
in the WHO European Union
WRs/CLOs and Cabinet retreat
Naga City, Japan

2. What is FENSA?
• Adopted by the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly
(resolution WHA69.10)
• Overarching framework and four specific policies on engagement with:
– nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
– private sector entities
– philanthropic foundations
– academic institutions
• Replaces:
─ Principles governing relations between the World Health Organization and nongovernmental organizations
─ Guidelines on interaction with commercial enterprises to achieve health outcomes

3. Overall objective
Strengthen WHO’s engagement with non-State
actors in favour of public health objectives and
especially in the SDG context – while at the same
time further reinforcing WHO’s protection from
any undue influence – in order to preserve our
integrity, independence and reputation

4. Principles of engagement
• Demonstrate a clear benefit to public health
• In line with WHO Constitution, mandate and Twelfth General Programme of Work
• Decision-making in governing bodies remains Member State prerogative
• Protect processes in setting and applying policies, norms and standards from any undue
influence
• Protect WHO’s integrity, independence, credibility and reputation
• Effectively managed, avoiding conflict of interest and other risks
• Transparency, openness, inclusiveness, accountability, integrity and mutual respect
• WHO does not engage with tobacco and arms industries

5. WHO register of non-State actors
• An electronic Global Engagement Management Tool, allowing WHO to better manage
its engagements (non-State actors, coordinated resource mobilization, individual
experts)
• WHO register of non-State actors as part of this Tool
• Prototype includes data from most of the 70 NGOs under review of official relations
(but does not yet include engagements):
http://www.who.int/about/who_reform/non-state-actors/register
• WHO provides annual report to the governing bodies on its engagement with
non-State actors

6. Key WHA-mandated milestones of
implementation
– May 2016: adoption by the 69th World Health Assembly (WHA)
– June 2016: immediate start of implementation
– Annual report on implementation to the Executive Board
(first one, January 2017)
– Register of non State actors final and fully implemented (May 2017)
– Review progress on implementation at the 70th WHA (May 2017)
– Fully operational within 2 years (May 2018)
– Initial evaluation of implementation and its impact in 2019

7. In the meantime, how will
the Regional Office work
• FENSA policies apply immediately, procedures are
under preparation to facilitate the implementation
• Guide for staff and handbook for non-State actors to
clarify details of engagement and FENSA application
• PAR is Regional Office’s specialized unit for FENSA

8. Thank you