This article describes the results of the WPA-WHO Global Survey of 4,887 psychiatrists in 44 countries regarding their use of diagnostic classification systems in clinical practice, and the desirable characteristics of a classification of mental disorders.

The WPA is contributing to the development of the ICD-11 chapter on mental and behavioural disorders in several ways. The WPA President is a member of the ICD-11 International Advisory Board and is actively participating in its meetings and other activities.

A WPA-WHO Workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Areas Affected by Disasters and Conflicts took place at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva from 27 to 31 July, 2009.

1. Revision of the ICD-10 chapter on mental and behavioural disorders
The WPA will be represented by its President in the Advisory Group for ICD-10 revision...

The WPA has recently finalized with the World Health Organization (WHO) a Work Plan for the triennium 2009-2011, covering five items: a) the revision of the chapter on mental and behavioural disorders of the ICD-10; b) collaboration in the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP); c) partnership on mental health care in emergencies; d) collaboration in the area of substance abuse; e) partnership on involvement of users and carers. I will focus here on the first three of these items.

An important event organized to run in parallel with the WPA Regional Meeting was a policy roundtable. The roundtable built on an earlier one that was organized during the WPA Regional Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2007.

The first psychiatrist recruited to serve in Haiti as part of the WPA-WHO collaboration has started his mission. His name is Kent Ravenscroft. He has been Training Director in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at both George Washington and Georgetown Universities.