The Regional Committee,
Bearing in mind resolution WHA46.20 on the WHO global strategy for health and environment, and resolutions WHA46.7 and WHA46.17 on issues relating to health and environment;
Having considered the report of the Regional Director on the regional strategy on health and environment;*
Recognizing the increasingly complex nature of environmental health problems and the associated need for better collaboration among organizations involved in issues relating to health, the environment and development;
Noting the need for a more judicious and strategic use of limited resources in resolving health and environment problems;
- ENDORSES the Regional Strategy on Health and Environment;
- URGES Member States:
- (1) to involve health professionals in discussions on sustainable development and the planning and development decision-making process;
- (2) to advocate the central role of health in decision-making about sustainable development;
- (3) to identify and prioritize national environmental health-related problems and develop associated national strategies and plans on health and environment consistent with WHO's global and regional strategies;
- (4) to allocate national resources and external support agency resources in accordance with the approved national strategies and plans;
- (5) to secure funds available under the UNDP's Capacity 21 initiative to support health and environment activities consistent with national strategies and plans;
- REQUESTS the Regional Director:
- (1) to vigorously implement the Regional Strategy on Health and Environment in cooperation with Member States;
- (2) to collaborate with Member States in the development of their national health and environment plans, and in their related activities with other agencies such as UNDP.