# Ne oldu?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a systematic effort to reinforce its country offices by adopting a bottom‑up approach that places national representatives at the centre of decision‑making. The effort is coordinated by the Action for Results Group (ARG), which was created in January 2023 to accelerate the empowerment of WHO country offices. An Action Plan for Country Office Strengthening was first proposed in February 2023, and since then WHO has taken concrete steps to ensure that each office is equipped with the resources, staff, and operational procedures needed to deliver health programmes more efficiently. The overarching aim is to improve the organisation’s capacity to respond to health challenges directly where they occur, thereby increasing the impact of WHO’s work at the national level.

# Ayrıntılar

The ARG’s mandate is to work hand‑in‑hand with WHO country representatives, drawing on their on‑the‑ground knowledge to shape priorities, allocate resources, and streamline processes. This collaborative model replaces a top‑down, one‑size‑fits‑all approach with a more nuanced, context‑specific strategy. The Action Plan outlines several key pillars: (1) strengthening human resources by recruiting and training staff who understand local health systems; (2) improving logistical and financial support so offices can act swiftly during emergencies; (3) enhancing data‑driven decision‑making through better information sharing between headquarters and country teams; and (4) aligning the work of country offices with WHO’s Transformation Agenda, which seeks to modernise the organisation’s overall capacity. The plan’s implementation is guided by regular reviews and feedback loops, ensuring that adjustments can be made as needs evolve. While the initiative is still unfolding, early reports indicate that offices are already experiencing smoother coordination, clearer lines of authority, and more responsive service delivery to Member States.

# Neden önemli?

Strengthening country offices is critical for WHO’s ability to meet the diverse health needs of its 194 Member States. By empowering offices through a bottom‑up process, WHO can tailor interventions to the specific epidemiological, cultural, and infrastructural realities of each country. This alignment improves the speed and relevance of responses to outbreaks, chronic disease management, and health system strengthening. Moreover, the approach reinforces WHO’s credibility with national governments, as it demonstrates a commitment to listening to and acting on local expertise. In the broader context of the Transformation Agenda, the country office strengthening effort represents a concrete step toward a more agile, accountable, and impact‑focused WHO.

# Sırada ne var?

The Action Plan for Country Office Strengthening remains a priority for WHO. Over the coming months, the organization will continue to roll out the remaining pillars, monitor progress through established metrics, and publish updates on how offices are adapting to emerging health challenges. Stakeholders can expect further guidance on resource allocation, capacity‑building workshops, and enhanced data platforms that will support the sustained empowerment of country offices. The ultimate goal is a fully integrated network of WHO offices that can deliver timely, effective health interventions wherever they are needed.