Hong Kong to host 2009 WHO Regional Committee Meeting

26 Sep 2008

The Regional Committee for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organization (WHO) today (September 26) passed a resolution accepting Hong Kong as the host of 60th session of the Committee in September 2009.

The Director of Health, Dr PY Lam, who is attending the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee 59th session at Manila, welcomed the resolution and said Hong Kong was most privileged to be the host city for the upcoming event.

Noting that Hong Kong had hosted a successful WHO Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific in 1992, Dr Lam said it has all the essential elements to host the event.

"With the endorsement by the Regional Committee, we shall be able to press ahead with our preparatory work in full steam," Dr Lam said.

The WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee consists of representatives from the Region's 37 countries and areas who meet annually in September to discuss public health issues and formulate strategies with a view to improving the health of the people in the region.

Hong Kong has been participating in the WHO's Regional Committee Meeting on its own in the name of Hong Kong, China, since 1997.