************************************************************
The Regional Committee for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organisation (WHO) today (September 26) passed a resolution accepting Hong Kong as host of the 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 in Manila, welcomed the resolution and said Hong Kong was most privileged to be the host city for the upcoming event.
Noting that it had hosted a successful WHO Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific in 1992, Dr Lam said Hong Kong had all the essential elements to host the event.
"With the endorsement by the regional committee, we shall be able to press full steam ahead with our preparatory work," 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.
Ends/Friday, September 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:32
NNNN
