[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12955-12956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04160]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Office of Global Affairs: Stakeholder Listening Session on 
Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005)

ACTION: Notice of public listening session; request for comments.

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Time and Date:  The listening session will be held on Friday, March 17, 
2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

Place:  The session will be held virtually, with online slide share and 
dial-in information shared with registered participants.

Status:  This meeting is open to the public but requires RSVP to 
[email protected] by Wednesday, March 8, 2023. See RSVP section below 
for details.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Purpose: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is 
charged with leading U.S. participation in the Working Group on the 
Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) and will 
convene a Stakeholder Listening Session.
    The World Health Assembly (WHA) originally adopted the 
International Health Regulations (IHR) in 1969. The regulations were 
amended multiple times, resulting in the current IHR (2005). The 
purpose of IHR (2005) is to prevent, protect against, control, and 
provide public health response to the international spread of disease. 
In May 2021, Member States set up a Working Group on Strengthening WHO 
Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies (WGPR) with the intent 
of strengthening WHO's capacities and ability to support Member States 
in the prevention and response of public health emergencies. The WGPR 
produced a report with key findings and recommendations that included 
amending the IHR. The United States submitted a package of targeted 
amendments to the IHR for consideration. These amendments seek to 
improve early warnings and alerts, transparency, and accountability in 
a manner that does not compromise national security or sovereignty. 
Other countries have also submitted proposals that the United States 
seek feedback from stakeholders on the proposed amendments. The 
Stakeholder Listening Session is designed to seek input from 
stakeholders and subject-matter experts on these proposals and to help 
inform and prepare the U.S. government for engagement with the Working 
Group on

[[Page 12956]]

the Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).
    Matters to be Discussed: The listening session will discuss 
potential amendments to the IHR (2005). Topics will include those 
amendments currently under consideration by the Working Group. An 
Article-by-Article Compilation of Proposed Amendments to the 
International Health Regulations (2005) can be found here: https://apps.who.int/gb/wgihr/pdf_files/wgihr1/WGIHR_Compilation-en.pdf. 
Participation is welcome from stakeholder communities, including:

 Public health and advocacy groups
 State, local, and Tribal groups
 Private industry
 Minority health organizations
 Academic and scientific organizations, etc.

    RSVP: Persons seeking to attend or speak at the listening session 
must register by Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
    Registrants must include their full name and organization, if any, 
and indicate whether they are registering as a listen-only attendee or 
as a speaker participant to [email protected].
    Requests to participate as a speaker must include:
    1. The name of the person desiring to participate;
    2. The organization(s) that person represents, if any;
    3. Identification of the primary amendment of interest.
    Other Information: Written comments should be emailed to 
[email protected] with the subject line ``Written Comment Re: 
Stakeholder Listening Session 1 for the WGIHR'' by Friday, March 31, 
2023.
    We look forward to your comments on proposed amendments to the 
International Health Regulations (2005).

    Dated: February 23, 2023.
Susan Kim,
Chief of Staff, Office of Global Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-04160 Filed 2-28-23; 8:45 am]
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