Editorial Team/Staff Writers
The World Health Organisation has unveiled a new cohort of its 21-member Science Council, with Asia accounting for the largest cluster of individual scientists: eight of 21.
But WHO’s internal administrative division masks this fact since the agency spreads the eight scientists across three distinct region offices: Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO), South-East Asia region (SEARO) and Western Pacific region (WPRO).
Based on WHO regional offices, the Americas account for the biggest share, accounting for five scientists. In all, the organisation has six regional offices: Africa, the Americas, South-East Asia, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific.
The African regional office, which excludes North Africa, has three scientists from Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, the same number as the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific regional offices.
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Nine of the 21 Science Council members are women. By WHO regional office, Europe accounts for three scientists and by continent, Asia has the same share.
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian national who is the first African to head the UN agency, set up the Science Council in 2021 to provide guidance on the science and research strategy.
It “acts as the voice of scientific leadership directly advising” him “about high-priority scientific issues, and advances in science and technology that could directly impact global health.”
The WHO said the Science Division will facilitate the Council’s activity in setting the top WHO science, research and innovation priorities, independently from programme specifics, and focusing on areas where gaps exist.
Scientists work independently of their governments and advise the director-general in their personal capacities.
The WHO calls for entries, and eligible scientists nominate themselves by submitting a cover letter and a CV. Applications are reviewed by an independent selection committee, and successful applicants are selected on the strength of their outstanding achievements.
The WHO does not pay Science Council members but meets transport and accommodation costs when the agency deploys them for assignments.
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