IHR (2005) coordination, communication and advocacy

Effective IHR implementation requires strong collaboration among and within relevant sectors, and responsible governmental bodies at the national, regional and local levels, with the NFP engaged in the process. Fundamental to this multisectoral collaboration is the recognition that risks to human health can emerge from various sources including infections transmitted via goods, food, water or animals, as well as chemical, radionuclear and environmental events. Coordination and communication capacities are essential for the prevention and detection of, and response to, public health risks and should exist at all necessary levels within all relevant sectors.

States Parties will:

• a. establish, maintain and strengthen national multisectoral mechanisms for coordinated decision- making for IHR implementation; and
• b. strengthen the functional capacity of the NFP, or relevant national authority, through the use of operational coordination and communication mechanisms between sectors.

The Regional Office, in collaboration with key partners, will:

• a. assist States Parties in the development of guidance, tools, training and advocacy materials in order to improve multisectoral implementation of the IHR (2005) and the role and functioning of the NFP;
• b. support States Parties, as needed, to establish, maintain or improve national multisectoral platforms for coordinated decision-making for IHR implementation;
• c. provide regional platforms to strengthen NFP networking and the exchange of best practices, including through annual regional and subregional meetings; and
• d. collate examples of good practices of development and strengthening of multisectoral platforms for coordinated decision-making for IHR implementation.