Round-up of GHSA Steering Group and Action Packages in 2015

GHSA Steering Group Secretariat; GHSA Preparation Task Force Team

A shared internet working space -a collaboration portal e based on Microsoft Sharepoint has been set up to support the work of the SG, the WLST and the Action Package leaders. This workspace was introduced by Dr. Thomas Kenyon, Director of the Center for Global Health at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The workspace enables sharing and cooperation on documents, facilitates scheduling and the exchange of contact information. Access can be granted to partners of the GHSA. So far only one fifth of the partners have accessed the site, and SG members are encouraged to register. The Chair noted that it is intended that the SG and Action Package reports and other key documents will be distributed through the collaboration portal. The link and instructions to gain access to the collaboration portal will be re-distributed among partners. 7. Key Action Items/Next Steps y Next SG meeting June 29, 2015 in Paris, France. GHSA High Level Meeting on September 7-9, 2015 in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. The GHSA Steering Group will meet directly before the Seoul meeting. Further options for NGO engagement to be developed before June SG Meeting A subgroup will be created to determine specific next steps to galvanize private sector interest in and involvement with the GHSA. Interested Steering Group members should contact Finland. Steering Group countries should each serve as a focal point for different Action Packages. Canada, Finland and the United States to lead a subgroup to determine the next steps for energizing Action Packages that may need assistance and to work with other Steering Group members to determine which Steering Group members should serve as a liaison for which Action Packages. Regional approaches to promote GHSA actions to be fostered by Steering Group members. The Steering Group Chair to develop a paper that describes the relationship between GHSA and IHR. The Steering Group to develop a paper that explores options for financing and matching assistance to gaps and Action Package needs. Steering Group members were asked to contribute additional experts to the roster for use with pilot country assessments. Steering Group members were asked to consider volunteering for the Pilot Assessments. The Chair will share all presentations from the Steering Group meeting and to post them and the notes from the meeting to the collaboration portal found at CDC website.