Monaco takes part in the fifth meeting of the WHO Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations

©DR

From 2–6 October, the Principality took part in the fifth and penultimate meeting of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (WGIHR), held in Geneva.

The WGIHR is tasked with proposing targeted amendments to the IHR (2005) with a view to improving prevention, response and control of the international spread of diseases.

The role of the WGIHR is to update and enhance the IHR (2005) on the basis of experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of technological progress. This includes strengthening the provisions of the Regulations on preparedness, monitoring and international cooperation to tackle public health emergencies while ensuring that international trade and circulation are not unnecessarily affected.

During the meeting, the WGIHR addressed issues such as the digitization of health documents, the implementation of health measures in public transport, and the incorporation of the concept of equity in the Regulations. Monaco took the floor on several occasions to state its positions. The Monegasque delegation confirmed the commitment of the Principality to the fundamental principles of the IHR (2005) and stress the importance of upholding its purpose and scope. The delegation was led by H.E. Ms Carole Lanteri, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Principality to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva.

The IHR is the only legally binding instrument in the area of international health security. The latest version of the Regulations was adopted in 2005 by the World Health Assembly. The Principality of Monaco and 195 other countries are signatories to the regulations.