Official International Agencies and Multilateral Organizations
First
|
Prev
|
Next
|
Last
In addition to its bilateral efforts, the U.S. also plays a major role in a number of multilateral global health organizations, including several under the auspices of the United Nations. The work of these organizations in turn significantly influences the context of U.S. policymaking on global health, and in some cases -- in particular, the Global Fund -- a substantial portion of U.S. financial commitments is focused on them.
This section provides background and resources on the primary multilateral organizations involved in global health policy.
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO), created in 1948 and based in Geneva, is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. WHO provides international leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends. It is governed by the World Health Assembly (attended by all Member States) and an Executive Board of 34 members.
Media inquiries: A media representative can be reached at +41 22 791 2222. Contacts by topic are available here, and press releases and other resources for journalists are available here.
For more information:
Pan-American Health Organization
The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), based in Washington, D.C., serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO and as the health organization of the Inter-American System. The health authorities of PAHO's Member States (including the U.S.) set its technical and administrative policies.
Media inquiries: Press releases and other resources for journalists are available here.
For more information:
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
UNAIDS, based in Geneva, was created in 1996 as the successor to WHO's Global Programme on AIDS. It is responsible for coordinating efforts to address HIV/AIDS across the U.N. system, consisting of 10 U.N. co-sponsors. UNAIDS activities include: mobilizing leadership and advocacy for effective action on the epidemic, providing strategic information and policies to guide global efforts, and monitoring and evaluating the response to the epidemic.
Media inquiries: A media representative can be reached at +41 22 791 1697. Press contacts, press releases, and other resources for journalists are available here.
For more information:
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Created in 2001, the Geneva-based Global Fund is an independent, multilateral institution (not part of the United Nations) that finances HIV, TB, and malaria programs in low- and middle-income countries. Country-driven projects are evaluated based on technical merit and need. As of September 2009, the Fund had approved grants to 144 countries totaling $18.4 billion. It provides about one-quarter of international financing for HIV/AIDS and about two-thirds for malaria and TB. The U.S. is the largest single donor to the Global Fund.
Media inquiries: A media representative can be reached at +41 58 791 1672 or +41 58 791 1679. Press contacts, press releases, and other resources for journalists are available here.
For more information:
World Bank
The World Bank aims to fight poverty through grants, loans, and technical assistance provided to low- and middle-income countries. Governed and financed by 186 member countries, the Bank is an independent specialized agency of the U.N., and serves as a co-sponsor of UNAIDS. In 2009, 13% of the Bank's $46.9 billion in lending went towards health and social services. It is based in Washington, D.C.
Media inquiries: A media representative can be reached at (202) 473-7660. Press contacts, press releases, and other resources for journalists are available here.
For more information:
Other International Agencies and Organizations
A number of other international institutions are involved in global health policymaking, including: the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which leads international efforts to combat hunger; the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP), which provides food assistance in 74 countries; the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), which works on a wide variety of issues affecting children, including health; the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), which works on reproductive health issues; the G8, a regular series of summits including the nations of France, the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan and Italy, Canada, and the Russian Federation (links to summit materials are available through the G8 Information Centre at the University of Toronto); and the G20, a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from high- and middle-income countries that typically meets annually.
In addition, there are alliances of governmental institutions, the private sector, and civil society working on specific health issues, including the GAVI Alliance, which is dedicated to improving access to immunizations in low-income countries; and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), which aims to improve health and nutrition.
First
|
Prev
|
Next
|
Last
