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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Health Ministers to discuss international recruitment of health workers

14 May 2003

Commonwealth Health Ministers will meet in Geneva on Sunday, 18 May 2003, ahead of the World Health Assembly (WHA). The meeting at the Ramada Park Hotel will also be attended by representatives of partner UN organisations and non-governmental organisations working in health.

Ministers will consider a companion document to the Commonwealth Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health Workers, which was agreed at last year's Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting. The companion document explains and clarifies terms and issues contained in the Code.

HIV/AIDS, declared a global emergency by Heads of Government at their 1999 meeting in Durban, South Africa, will be high on the agenda. The pandemic remains a critical factor in a majority of Commonwealth member states affecting the achievement of sustainable development. Ministers will also discuss adolescent health; domestic violence; and action in line with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control - which is expected to be ratified at the WHA - that deals with issues as diverse as tobacco advertising and promotion, agricultural diversification, smuggling, taxes and subsidies. Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Winston Cox will open the meeting, which will later be addressed by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland.

For the first time, roundtable discussions facilitating interaction among ministers and with partner health organisations have been introduced in addition to the plenary sessions.

Note to Editors
A closing press conference is scheduled at the Ramada Park Hotel at the conclusion of the meeting at 5:30pm on Sunday, 18 May 2003. For further information please contact Minelle Fernandez on +44-207747 6385 (14-16 May) or Conference Spokesperson Mwambu Wanendeya on + 41 22-7103000 (17-18 May).

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int