LAUSR

The GARD initiative was set up to respond to a resolution of the World Health Assembly in May 2000 (Resolution WHA53.17) that emphasized the need to increase awareness of the growing epidemic of CRDs worldwide. A programwas begun to design a comprehensive approach to the prevention and control of CRDs. The resolution was approved by the General Assembly of World Health Organization (WHO) in 2004. The first meetings of GARD were held at WHO headquarters in Geneva in January and May 2005. Its management was established with an Executive Committee, Planning Group, and GARD General Assembly. GARD is a global andmultidisciplinary alliance that is charged with helping developing countries; representation from all WHO regions, especially middle and low-income countries, is essential. The structure of GARD management was revised in 2019 to ensure that all major member organizations are represented on the Planning Group.