RESOLUTIONS

CD36.R13 The Directing Council,

 Having seen Document CD36/22, entitled "Report on the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and Its Implications for the Work of the Pan American Health Organization";

 Believing that human beings should be the focus of concerns for sustainable development, and that they have the right to healthy and productive lives in harmony with nature;

 Recognizing the close relationship that exists between health and development and that insufficient and inappropriate development, coupled with population growth, is causing serious environment-related health problems in the countries of the Region;

 Considering that the health issues addressed in Agenda 21, approved by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), are consistent with and complement the goal of "Health for All" and the strategies for its attainment;

 Acknowledging the need for the health sector to take an active part in the processes of discussion and decision-making with regard to development projects in each country; and

 Responding to the suggestion of UNCED that health protection and promotion activities should be coordinated by a qualified international body, such as WHO/PAHO,

Resolves:

1. To urge the Member Governments:

a) To strengthen the technical, administrative, and managerial capacity of national and local institutions responsible for the management of environmental health, primarily in terms of preparation of sectoral analyses, formulation of comprehensive sectoral policies, development of plans, and coordination of their execution;

b) To facilitate the establishment or strengthening of a high-level commission to coordinate activities aimed at ensuring the implementation of health and environmental actions.

2. To request the Director:

a) To support the countries in the formulation of policies, regulations, and plans regarding health, environmental, and development issues with a view to bringing about action for the protection and promotion of health;

b) To offer support to the work of the Commissions established by the countries for the purpose of strengthening institutional and human resource capacity, carrying out sectoral studies, and formulating and executing the corresponding plans;

c) To coordinate the regional effort needed in order to identify issues of common interest, encourage and support cooperation between countries, and establish frameworks and mechanisms for joint action;

d) To study the desirability and feasibility of convening a Pan American Conference on Health, Environment, and Development, to be attended by participants from the highest levels of the health, public works, and environment sectors of the Region, for the analysis of common problems, frameworks, and forms of action, and to make a recommendation to the 111th Meeting of the Executive Committee in June 1993;

e) To continue his efforts to tailor the activities of the Bureau and mobilize resources in order to better meet the needs of the countries of the Region in this area.

September 1992 OD 253, 121