In 2005, the Council agreed in principle to transfer its hosting arrangements from WHO to UNICEF by end March 2006 The transition of Council host from WHO to UNICEF was planned to take place on the 1st of April 2006. However, in the course of detailed consultations, both parties came to conclude that a more thorough analysis of the Council's needs was required to make sure that the proposed transition would meet the requirements of the WSSCC's major stakeholders. WHO has extended support relating to this decision and continues to be the Council's host until 30 September 2006.

To permit the Council to have a thorough analysis on which to base its decisions on its future institutional arrangements, the Council has convened an Expert Group to compare and contrast institutional options and recommend solutions that provide an appropriate structure for the Council to perform its current advocacy role as well as any field implementation activities that may be envisioned. The Expert Group will complete its work by the end of July.

Gourisankar Ghosh had reached retirement age in January 2006. The Council will utilize his experience and institutional memory in the capacity of Special Adviser to the Chair, until the end of August 2006. The post of the Executive Director for the Council will be advertised at the soonest time possible. Pending the recruitment of the new Executive Director, Dr Maria Neira, WHO's Director of Public Health and Environment, will act as the Officer-in-Charge of the Council Secretariat.

The Council's Steering Committee will meet in Geneva on 10-11 August to consider all these questions, and in particular to decide on the appropriate institutional arrangements for the Council and the appointment of the next Executive Director.

The Council wishes to express its appreciation to WHO for the extension of the arrangement and for expediting the necessary formalities and the issuance of contracts to the staff, and to UNICEF for all the support they have extended in this process.