The European Region was represented by its regional representative, Emma Stokes, at the Fifty-ninth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 2009. The delegates from the 53 WHO European Member States discussed and agreed on: a declaration on protecting health in times of economic crisis: the role of health systems (including social determinants of health); starting a discussion on the governance of health within the WHO European Region; supporting health workforce policies in the WHO European Region, including the support for a global code of practice for international recruitment of health personnel; and the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the WHO European Region.

 

At the meeting, Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, from Hungary, was nominated as the new WHO Regional Director for Europe. Mrs Jakab is currently Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

 

The Regional Representative presented two statements at the meeting on the theme of health in a time of global crisis and health workforce policies.