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World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is the UN agency founded in 1946. The Czech Republic became a member of the WHO in 1993 as one of the successor states of the former Czechoslovakia, which became one of the founding members of the Organization.

The headquarters of the WHO is based in Geneva and the Organization comprises 194 members, divided into 6 regional groupings. Since July 1 2017, the position of the Director-General has been held by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appointed for his second five-year term in May 2022. WHO's activities include the formulation of health policy and assistance in the development of national health strategies, monitoring of population health and health systems indicators, development and testing of new technologies and procedures for disease control and healthcare management. Activities are framed by the General Program of Work as adopted by the Member States in the WHO governing bodies.
The main governing body of the WHO is the World Health Assembly (WHA). Annual sessions of the WHA take place at the level of Ministers of Health in May in Geneva. The WHA adopts decision with regards to the programme and budgetary matters, as well as the most pressing health issues. The sessions are organized into plenary meetings and two committees. The WHO Executive Board (EB) holds sessions twice a year. It has 34 members elected for three year term from among the WHO Member States. The main role of the EB is to facilitate the work of the WHA and to implement its decisions. 
WHO European Regional Office is based in Copenhagen. The office of the Regional Director is from 1 February 2020 held by Dr Hans Kluge. The region includes 53 Member States, meeting yearly as the Regional Committee to agree upon regional policies in line with the European Programme of Work. The WHO Country Office in the Czech Republic is based in the UN house in Prague. It is led by its Head Dr Zsófia Pusztai. WHO Country Office facilitates mutual information sharing between the WHO and the Czech Republic, it focuses on distribution of WHO information and materials  to partners, as well as contributes to formulation of health policies at both national and regional level. Cooperation between the Czech Republic and the WHO at national level is underpinned by a five year Country Cooperation Strategy to be implemented via bi-annual implementation plans. 
The WHO division at Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic cooperates with the WHO governing bodies and represents the Czech Republic in negotiations of common EU positions. During the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Czech Republic represents interests of the EU Member States.