Non-state actor in official relations with WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved SIOP as one of their non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official relations. This represents a major advancement for the paediatric oncology community and for the support of the worldwide fight against childhood cancer.
The application and three-year work plan (2018 – 2020) were approved during the recent 142nd session of the WHO Executive Board held in Geneva (Switzerland) from 22 – 27 January 2018 and this new mandate provides SIOP with unique opportunities, privileges and responsibilities. SIOP will have a presence at WHO meetings and collaborate within the rich network of WHO partners.
As a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), SIOP has committed to contribute substantially to WHO activities according to the agreed and accepted working plan by:
- Providing technical inputs on follow-up of regional/national workshops, local stakeholders workplans, and advocacy;
- Supporting programmes that address competencies for childhood cancer control by disseminating WHO guidance and using the robust SIOP network;
- Conducting advocacy activities to improve access to essential medicines and medical technologies, by performing a situational analysis, identifying barriers and supporting implementation of programmes in select countries;
Collaboration Plan between WHO and SIOP for the period 2021-2023
158th Session of the WHO Executive Board (EB)
The annual Board meeting is held in January when the members agree upon the agenda for the World Health Assembly and the resolutions to be considered by the Health Assembly. A second shorter meeting takes place in May-June, as a follow-up to the Health Assembly. The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, and advise and generally to facilitate its work.
This January, the EB focused on several key global health priorities. These include advancing universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and improving global well-being.As a non-state actor (NSA) in official relations with WHO, SIOP participated in the official proceedings, connected with the global cancer and rare disease community, led one constituency statement, an individual statement and supported others.Those interested in viewing the EB156 proceedings are invited to access the recording via the EB158 landing page, which includes links to the livestream and important EB documents, such as agenda and daily schedules.
Statements & Priorities
As usual, the EB158 agenda is very comprehensive and we attempted to match them with the priorities outlined in our strategic plan. Hence, SIOP will actively engaged on the following topics:
AGENDA ITEM 6: Follow-up to the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases:
- List of Non-State Actors participating in the Statement
- International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) – organizer
- Childhood Cancer International (CCI)
- European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (EuroSafe)
- International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
- International Association for Dental Research (IADR)
- International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC)
- International Council of Nurses (ICN)
- International Pediatric Association (IPA)
- International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
- International Society of Radiology (ISR)
- World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology (WFNMB)
- World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA)
“Building on momentum for childhood NCDs: From global commitments to implementation towards enhanced survival, quality of life, safety, and equity”
Statements have been posted to official WHO NSA statement platform as well as on the SIOP website. We would like to thank Mrs Olga Kozhaeva (Director European and Global Health Policy, Paediatric Oncology, Siop Europe) for her unwavering guidance, our Advocacy committee, WHO NSA engagement committee and all partners who contributed their expertise to these statements.
Delegation
We would like to thank Prof Maja Beck-Popovic, WHO NSA Engagement Committee member, to make the time in her busy schedules to attend the official proceedings and be our voice.
SIOP is now a step further in placing the fight against Childhood and Adolescent Cancer on the Global Agenda and making a difference in the lives of children with cancer and their families worldwide.
The SIOP Global Advocacy Committee thanks the SIOP community and all partners for their continuous support during the application process.
We look forward to using this opportunity to expand our work together to improve the global situation for children with cancer.
