WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations held its 44th Annual Meeting in Geneva on 16 May 2010. In his final speech to the WFPHA General Assembly, immediate Past-President, Dr Paulo Buss, reflected on 2008–2009. He discussed the Federation’s most important challenges and accomplishments during the last 2 years of his presidency: its most difficult challenges included the worldwide financial crisis and the decline of international aid. Nonetheless, WFPHA accomplished significant advances. The Istanbul Congress was well attended with almost 2000 participants from 120 countries. Despite the threat of the H1N1 pandemic, WFPHA drafted and approved the Istanbul Declaration during the Congress. Having started as only a dream, WFPHA has established a small office in the ‘capital of global health’. Led by Professor Bettina Borisch and Laetitia Bourquin, the office creates an important presence in Geneva, helping WFPHA to re-confirm its official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr Buss conveyed a message of optimism and confidence to member associations and his wishes for great success to Dr Ulrich Laaser as the new incoming President and Jim Chauvin as the new Vice-President/President-Elect. The major outcomes of the Annual Meeting included revision of documents by the Executive Board and approval by the members of the General Assembly, as follows: