TUNIS, 24-26 June 2019 - Hosted by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, the first Regional Parliamentary Forum took place in Tunis this week with a goal to strengthen parliamentarians' engagement in the health sector response to advance health and well-being and the regional strategic public health priorities.
Over 20 parliamentarians from the region created the Regional Parliamentary Forum, which comprises an Advisory Group also present.
Speakers over the 3-day meeting included the Tunisian interim Minister of Health H.E. Dr. Sonia Ben Cheikh and WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Salim Al-Mandhari.
EPF Communications and Outreach Officer, Sarah Bedson, attended the meeting as an observer and delivered a presentation on 'The Role of Parliaments in Positioning Women's Health at the Core of the UHC Agenda'. Participating parliamentarians were also invited to join the Global Parliamentary Alliance for Health, Rights and Development.