Presented at the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, on 16 September 2014.

1. A country focus for the
WHO Regional Office
for Europe
Marijan Ivanuša
Haris Hajrulahović
Melita Vujnović
Batyr Berdyklychev

2. The focus of WHO work in countries
• To provide policy advice and enhance capacity
building
• A leadership role in health development
cooperation
• Coordinate effectively with the rest of the UN
system

3. WHO country offices represent
one of the three levels of WHO
• The collaboration is well structured and
documented in the Biennial Collaborative
Agreement (BCA).
• The work is focused on policy advice and
development, advocacy, partnership and
representation.

4. Consistency and continuity secured
• Provide intelligence
• Advocate for health in line with WHO resolutions
• Direct & Coordinate WHO activities at country level
The small WHO COs enable WHO to provide assistance and
collaboration to the series of member states in an optimal (cost-efficient)
way.

5. Functions of medium-sized offices
• Representation function and serving as the interface between the
Regional Office for Europe and the government of the host
country. Based on Health 2020 as an overall frame of reference,
coordination and brokering of policy advice and WHO technical
expertise to address country health needs through public health
and health system strengthening interventions.
• Information exchange, communication, public relations and
advocacy.
• Management and administration of the entire WHO country work

6. Functions of medium-sized offices
• Partnering with UN agencies and other stakeholders at
country level as well as resource mobilization for health
• Promotion and coordination of cross-border interventions
on country and regional health problems
• Health leadership, coordination and communication in
health emergencies
• Design of country level projects to address specific health
problems

7. Functions of major “WR” offices
• Support WHO work related to health system reforms &
introduction of innovative approaches; institutional
strengthening.
• Support strategy development and major resource
mobilization (GFATM, GAVI, WB).
• Position health in the centre of strategic agendas: donor
coordination, sector reviews (UNDAF).

8. Functions of major “WR” offices
• Lead on health in emergencies: health
clusters; mobilizing partners & resources.
• Facilitate work with new donor countries (3
GDOs).
• Support and coordination of the work of 3
levels of WHO at the country level.

9. Strategic Relations with Countries:
role and main functions
• Provide support to the Regional Director and the
Executive Management Committee in coordinating and
managing effective collaboration with Member States
• Provide support and strategic guidance to Country Offices
• In-house coordination of country work
• Desk office for Member States without WHO country
presence

10. Thank you!