22 February 2012 -- Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean and H.E. Dr Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi, Minister of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed the report of the Joint Programme Planning and Review Mission between WHO and the Islamic Republic of Iran during her visit to the Regional Office on 22 February 2012. The report identifies priorities for collaboration in health for the current biennium 2012–2013.

 “The signing crowns extensive meetings between WHO and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, during which we reviewed existing collaboration and discussed priorities that need to be focused upon this year and next”, said Dr Alwan. “The report represents a road map for WHO’s work in and with the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of the Eastern Mediterranean Region”, he added.
During the meeting, ways to enhance regional cooperation in the field of health were discussed, in particular health promotion, implementation of prevention programmes, capacity-building, and health professional education. The Iranian delegation highlighted the capacities they could share with other countries of the Region that may need them. H.E. said, “We are strengthening our collaboration with the WHO Regional Office in health development inside Iran and in the region including our collaboration with neighbouring countries in various fields”. 
In a welcoming gesture, Dr Alwan presented a shield to H.E. the Minister of Health and Medical Education expressing his and staff’s delight at her visit. In return, H.E. presented a gift to the Regional Office expressing her pleasure at the selection of Dr Alwan as the new WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The meeting was attended by members of the Iranian delegation, Dr A. Assa’edi, WHO Deputy Regional Director and Dr Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative, Islamic Republic of Iran.