The ECR's coordinator for the Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) was involved in the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Committee of the Regions and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, focusing on health and wellbeing of EU citizens.

Signed in November 2016 in Brussels, the Memorandum seeks to ensure that every human being can enjoy the highest attainable standard of health by the two organisations working together to benefit all EU citizens.

The CoR's Vice-President Karl-Heinz Lambertz and WHO/Europe Regional Director Zsuzsanna Jakab officially signed the agreement which opens a new chapter in collaborative efforts to make Europe's health policy stronger and better suited to the needs of citizens, with emphasis on local and regional authorities playing a greater role in efforts.

Adam Banaszak, Member of the Kujawsko- Pomorskie Regional Assembly, was invited to attend the ceremony as the CoR's Rapporteur on 'The role of local and regional authorities in the implementation of the health strategy 2008-2013', adopted in 2010.

Mr Banaszak said: "I am glad to be here today witnessing the signing of an important agreement between the European Committee of the Regions and the World Health Organisation. This agreement will make us both stronger to deal with the local health issues that local and regional authorities face in the EU."

The commitment is likely to cover ideas such as making cities and regions more health-conscious places, as well as promoting vaccination campaigns and supporting people's healthy lifestyles.