Hong Kong to host WHO regional meeting
On September 26, the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution accepting Hong Kong as host of the 60th session of the committee in September 2009.
Director of Health P.Y. Lam, who was attending the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee 59th session in Manila, welcomed the resolution and said Hong Kong was most privileged to be the host city for the upcoming event.
Noting that it had hosted a successful WHO Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific in 1992, Dr. Lam said Hong Kong had all the essential elements to host the event.
“With the endorsement by the regional committee, we shall be able to press full steam ahead with our preparatory work,” said Dr. Lam.
The WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee consists of representatives from the region's 37 countries and areas who meet annually in September to discuss public health issues and formulate strategies with a view to improving the health of the people in the region.
Hong Kong has been participating in the WHO’s Regional Committee Meeting on its own in the name of Hong Kong, China, since 1997.
Brazil confirms visa-free access
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders are now able to visit Brazil for up to 90 days without a visa.
In October 2005, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil signed an Agreement on Exemption of Visa Requirements. The agreement provides, among other things, the 90-day visa-free visits to Brazil by HKSAR passport holders.
The Brazilian government has completed the internal procedures for the agreement to enter into force, and the visa-free arrangement for HKSAR passport holders came into effect on October 22.
There are now 136 countries/territories agreeing to grant visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders.
Members appointed to cultural board
On October 23, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the appointment of members to the board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) for a period of two years.
“The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is a major initiative to promote arts and cultural development to enrich Hong Kong people’s cultural life. I am confident that the board members, with their collective expertise, experience and distinguished record of community service, will bring this vital project to a success,” said Mr. Tsang.
The Chief Executive has appointed the Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang as Chairman of the Board.
The board will hold its first meeting in October to launch the WKCD project.
The WKCDA is responsible for the planning, development, operation and maintenance of the arts and cultural facilities and related facilities in the WKCD. In its initial phase, the authority will ensure that the arts and cultural facilities and the supporting infrastructure facilities in the Cultural District are planned and designed in a coordinated manner.
The WKCDA Ordinance (Cap. 601) provides that the board is the governing and executive body of the WKCDA. It consists of a chairman, three public officers and between eight to 15 non-public officers. To avoid potential conflict of interest, all board members will declare their interest for public inspection.
The three public officer members appointed to the board are the Secretary for Home Affairs, Secretary for Development and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to be appointed by the authority with the Chief Executive's prior approval, is an ex officio member of the board. The authority will recruit a CEO in due course, taking into account the qualifications and attributes that are required for spearheading the development of the WKCD.
Details of the 15 non-public officer members of the WKCDA can be found on the Web site: [www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200810/23/P200810230129.htm].
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