emblem
Back to WHO/Europe home page

International Health Regulations

Policy

(Photo: Istock)

Policy: A legally binding text

With the support of WHO, the 194 States Parties to the International Health Regulations (IHR) have been implementing these global rules to enhance national, regional and global public health security since entry into force on June 2007.
 
One of the key milestones for countries include the assessment of their surveillance and response capacities by June 2009 and the development and implementation of national plans of action to ensure that these core capacities are functioning by 2012. The States Parties are obligated to submit annual reports to WHA in order to monitor the progress of implementing the provisions under the IHR.