Belgian national, Dr Hans Kluge, has commenced his second five-year term as the Regional Director for the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Dr Kluge was formally appointed to the role for a second term at the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, on Tuesday. It follows his nomination by the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region in October last year.
The FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment represents Belgium in the WHO Governing Bodies and hence decides on the priorities and work programme for the WHO, both at the European level as well as at global level. In this capacity, the FPS also participates in negotiations on international legal frameworks on health WHO and supports international collaboration in global health, like for example to supporting African countries that deal with an Mpox outbreak or providing support and technical advice to the Ukrainian health system.