RULES FOR MEMBERS ENGAGEMENT IN THE PAN AMERICAN FORUM
FOR ACTION ON NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES (PAFNCD)
Background:
The Pan American Forum for Action on Non-communicable Diseases (PAFNCD) is
being established by PAHO in the understanding that successfully confronting noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) requires a “whole of society approach”. The PAFNCD
will bring together governments, private sector, the academic and scientific community,
civil society and international organizations to confront the NCD epidemic in the
Americas and promote health at all levels.
Goal and Objective of PAFNCD
The Forum seeks to support attainment of the Pan American Health Organization’s
(hereinafter “PAHO”) Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for an Integrated Approach
to the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases, including Diet, Physical Activity and
Health (hereinafter “Regional Strategy”) and its goal of improving well-being and
productivity in the Americas, avoiding billions of dollars in economic losses in the next
ten years through multi-sector collaborations; and to support the outcomes of the
UNHLM on NCD in the Americas.
Function
The Pan American Forum is a platform for sharing of information, dialogue, advocacy,
development of strategic alliances and resources mobilization efforts to promote the
implementation at regional and at country level of successful practices in prevention and
control of NCDs and the identification of new innovative ones so that the the objectives
and targets set by the Regional Strategy and the UN High Level Meeting on NCDs are
achieved. The Forum aims to further those actions where outcomes would not be
achieved unless all sectors are involved.
General Responsibilities
The Pan American Forum is a multi-sectorial forum. As such, it is expected that each
participant will observe certain rules, including:
1. Respect for others. PAHO understands that some participants may not agree with
others’ positions. Given that the Forum seeks to encourage diverse views, all
participants must be respectful in noting their own positions and/or disagreements
with those of others.
2. Consistent with PAHO’s policies and guidelines, any entity with ties to tobacco,
alcohol, weapons, land mines, or products deemed detrimental to public health by
PAHO are considered unsuitable partners. PAHO will do its best to screen all entities
participating in the Forum, but PAHO may not by itself be aware of other entities’
relationships and/or situations may change. Thus, PAHO expects each participant to
inform PAHO if it has any tie to an entity listed above, including receiving any
funding from such an entity. PAHO may occasionally ask participants to reaffirm
that they have no ties to these entities.
3. No advertisement. The Pan American Forum is not an opportunity for advertisement
or promotion of any entity or product. PAHO understands there may be times one
must speak positively about one’s own organization or work, but PAHO expects
participants to contribute their expertise, networking and resource mobilization
abilities, and avoid self-promotion and advertisement. Nevertheless, partners will be
recognized by PAHO as contributors to the PAFNCD.
4. No endorsement. Participation in the Forum does not imply any endorsement by
PAHO of any entity or its products or services. No one may make any statement or
pronouncement that might be construed as a PAHO endorsement.
5. No use of name or logo. No participant may use the name, acronym or logo of
PAHO or any other participant without express written permission in each instance.
6. Press releases. Press releases concerning the Pan American Forum, or any activity
therein, must receive prior approval of PAHO.
Conflicts of Interest and Participation in Certain Activities
To avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest, which could damage the reputation
of and call into question the achievements of the Pan American Forum, the following
steps will be taken:
1. PAHO recognizes the vital role played by its Member States in promoting responsible
business practices, including providing the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks,
where appropriate. Given that there will be dialogue, advocacy, and sharing of
information to discuss ways to prevent and control NCDs, some discussion could include
questions of policy and issues about government regulation. The private sector and
foundations created by or promoting the interest of the private sector will not be
permitted to participate, advocate or lobby during regulatory discussions.
2. Entities with a commercial interest in the outcome of a particular activity may not be
invited to participate in the design of such activity. Similarly, if participation by an entity
in any activity could raise concerns about real or apparent conflicts of interest that cannot
be sufficiently mitigated, as determined by PAHO, such entities’ participation will be
carefully reviewed by PAHO and may as a result not be invited to participate in that
activity.