Twelve countries have today been elected by the World Health Assembly to designate a person to serve on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO). The twelve countries are Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

They replace Bangladesh, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, France, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Qatar, Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America and Yemen whose term of office will end at the closure of the current Assembly on 22 May 2001.

The persons designated will take up their membership of the Board immediately after the closure of the current Assembly. The composition of the Executive Board will thereafter be composed of persons designated by the following countries:

Africa * Chad * Comoros * Congo * Côte d'Ivoire * Equatorial Guinea * Eritrea * Ethiopia

Americas * Brazil * Colombia * Cuba * Grenada * Guatemala * Venezuela

Eastern Mediterranean * Egypt * Iran (Islamic Republic of) * Jordan * Lebanon * Saudi Arabia

Europe * Belgium * Italy * Kazakhstan * Lithuania * Sweden * Switzerland * United Kingdom of Great Britain and *Northern Ireland

South-East Asia * Democratic People's Republic of Korea * India * Myanmar

Western Pacific * Japan * Philippines * Republic of Korea * Vanuatu

The Executive Board consists of 32 persons highly qualified in the field of health and designated by as many Member States, which are chosen by the World Health Assembly on the basis of equitable geographic distribution. The main functions of the Executive Board are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Assembly, to advise it, and generally to facilitate its work. Among other functions, the Executive Board is responsible for preparing the agenda of meetings of the Assembly and for taking emergency measures within the functions and financial resources of the Assembly. In particular, it may authorize the Director-General to take the necessary steps to combat epidemics, to participate in the organization of health relief to victims of a disaster, and to undertake studies and research, the urgency of which has been drawn to the attention of the Board by any Member or by the Director-General.