DUTY TRAVELS
As a staff member of the World Health Organization, from 2014 to 2019 (not counting 2020, when all travel was prohibited due to Covid-19), I was dispatched on 50 overseas missions around the world (not counting a few local DTs within the Philippines, where I was based). 21 countries in all, including 12 of 27 Member States in the WHO Western Pacific Region (22 countries, 13 Member States if counting the Philippines). The countries that I visited most were Fiji with 8 missions, then Korea with 7 missions. My first DT was to Kobe, Japan. My final DT was to Bangkok, Thailand.
[Note: this page is a work in progress.]
AUSTRALIA
(9) McCabe Centre Intensive Legal Training Program – Training of Trainers
2014 December 6-14 / Melbourne
CHINA
(23) 2nd International Symposium on Tobacco Control & Law
2016 May 29-31 / Beijing
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- Day 1 (7.145 Some Kind of Baby Zucchinis)
- Day 2 (7.146 Peking Duck)
(47) 3rd Meeting on Health Professional Education Reforms in Transition Economy Countries
2019 July 24-25 / Shanghai
FIJI
(3) National Workshop on NCDs & The Law
2014 June 29 – July 6 / Suva + Denarau Island
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- Day 1 (5.175 Smoked Salmon Salad)
- Day 2 (5.176 Lamb Curry + Aloo Mutter + Naan)
- Day 3 (5.177 Goat Masala)
- Day 4 (5.178 Dalo)
- Day 5 (5.179 Mama Kokoda with Deep-Fried Dalo)
- Day 6 (5.180 Mahi Mahi with Snake Beans in Lolo Sauce)
- Day 7 (5.181 Sliced Roast Lamb)
- Day 8 (5.182 Steamed Shrimp Dumplings)
(11) Regional Workshop on Nutrition, NCDs, and the Role of CODEX
2015 April 17-23 / Nadi
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- Day 1 (6.101 Coconut Carrot Cream Soup)
- Day 2 (6.102 Bula Shrimp)
- Day 3 (6.103 B.B.Q.)
- Day 4 (6.104 Seared Mahi Mahi)
- Day 5 (6.105 Chicken Tandoori Pizza)
- Day 6 (6.106 Chicken Maki Roll)
- Day 7 (6.107 Rourou Taster)
- Day 8 (6.108 Kovu Ura)
(19) Pacific Workshop to Implement the Tobacco Free Initiative Regional Action Plan
2015 November 15-19 / Nadi
(39) Scoping Mission for the 5th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2018 October 16-19 / Suva
(41) Scoping Mission for the 5th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2019 February 16-23 / Suva
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- Day 1 (10.042 Grilled Peri Peri Chicken Thigh)
- Day 2 (10.043 Prawn Curry)
- Day 3 (10.044 Pan-Fried Prawns in Garlic-Butter Sauce)
- Day 4 (10.045 Rice + Spicy Sauce with Kimchi & Tuna + Black Beans in Soy Sauce)
- Day 5 (10.046 Salt & Pepper Tofu)
- Day 6 (10.047 Seafood in Taro Nest)
- Day 7 (10.048 Fish & Chips)
- Day 8 (10.049 Termite Mushroom Steamed Halibut)
(44) Scoping Mission for the 5th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2019 April 25 – May 3 / Suva + Nadi
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- Day 1 (10.110 Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary Sauce)
- Day 2 (10.111 Swordfish)
- Day 3 (10.112 Snapper Carpaccio)
- Day 4 (10.113 Dragon Wrap)
- Day 5 (10.114 Steamed Coral Trout in Soy Sauce)
- Day 6 (10.115 Roasted Chicken with Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce)
- Day 8 (10.116 Rourou Balls & Grilled Fish)
- Day 9 (10.117 Make Italian Style Pizza Anytime at Home)
- Day 10 (10.118 Awhi Farms Savannah Grass-Fed Beef Bone-In Sirloin)
(46) Scoping Mission for the 5th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2019 July 9-17 / Suva + Nadi + Lautoka + Pacific Harbour
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- Day 1 (10.185 Mixed Seafood with Beet Emulsion)
- Day 2 (10.186 Chicken in Black Bean Sauce)
- Day 3 (10.187 Grilled Octopus)
- Day 4 (10.188 Slipper Lobster Garlic)
- Day 5 (10.189 Clouds in Sky)
- Day 6 (10.190 A Heap of Fried Rice)
- Day 8 (10.191 Paneer Curry + Chicken Curry + Naan)
- Day 9 (10.192 Rourou Moci)
(48) 5th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2019 August 10-24 / Suva + Nadi + Lautoka
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- Day 1 (10.217 Stir-Fried Salt and Pepper Tofu)
- Day 2 (10.218 Mapa Tofu + Choysum with Garlic + Steamed Rice)
- Day 3 (10.219 Roast Chicken Tikka Masala)
- Day 4 (10.220 Grilled Lobster)
- Day 5 (10.221 Bibimbap)
- Day 6 (10.222 Grilled Lobster)
- Day 8 (10.223 Chicken Tandoori Pizza)
- Day 9 (10.224 Whopper with Cheese)
- Day 10 (10.225 Cheeseburger)
- Day 11 (10.226 A Pear)
- Day 12 (10.227 Grilled Fish)
- Day 13 (10.228 Tavu Snapper)
- Day 14 (10.229 Lobster Stir-Fried Ginger & Spring Onion)
- Day 15 (10.230 Seared Humpty Doo Barramundi)
- Day 16 (10.231 Wonton Noodles in Soup)
(27) 7th Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
2016 November 6-13 / Noida
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- Day 1 (7.306 Fried Black Cod with Black Bean Ginger Sauce)
- Day 2 (7.307 Panipuri)
- Day 3 (7.308 Murg Tikka Makhani)
- Day 4 (7.309 Tremendous)
- Day 5 (7.310 Thali)
- Day 6 (7.311 Bhatti da Murg)
- Day 7 (7.312 Nalli Roganjosh)
- Day 8 (7.313 Braised Pork Balls)
JAPAN
(1) Expert Consultation on Intersectoral Action for Health
2014 May 28 – June 1 / Kobe + Osaka
(24) 3rd International Symposium on Tobacco Control & Law
2016 July 29-31 / Tokyo
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- Day 1 (7.206 Sushizanmai Deluxe)
- Day 2 (7.207 Kyuri Asazuke)
(26) 4th Regional Workshop on Strengthening Leadership & Advocacy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs
2016 September 25-30 / Saitama
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- Day 1 (7.264 Negitoro Gunkanmaki)
- Day 2 (7.265 Negibasashi Maki)
- Day 3 (7.266 Gu Ba)
- Day 4 (7.267 Chutoro Sashimi)
- Day 5 (7.268 Small Portions)
- Day 6 (7.269 Grilled Shiitake)
(31) Scoping Mission for the 3rd Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2017 July 23-26 / Tokyo + Kashiwa
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- Day 1 (8.199 Sukiyaki)
- Day 2 (8.200 Stuffed Ground Chicken in Shiitake Mushroom)
- Day 3 (8.201 (Part of) Kaiseki)
- Day 4 (8.202 Clam and Spicy Soft Tofu Stew)
(32) 3rd Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2017 August 22-25 / Tokyo + Kashiwa
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- Day 1 (8.229 Tuna Nigiri 3 Pieces)
- Day 2 (8.230 Cheeseburger)
- Day 3 (8.231 Grilled Scallops)
- Day 4 (8.232 Sukiyaki)
(43) 6th Regional Workshop on Strengthening Leadership & Advocacy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs
2019 March 10-15 / Saitama
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- Day 1 (10.064 Cream Cheese in Tofu Goo)
- Day 2 (10.065 Kyuri Kimuchi)
- Day 3 (10.066 Lightly Seared Whale Sashimi with Seasoned Leak & Sesame Oil)
- Day 4 (10.067 Tuna and Avocado Salad)
- Day 5 (10.068 Healthyish Diet)
- Day 6 (10.069 Original Handmade Tofu)
JORDAN
(13) Bi-regional Workshop to Build Legal Capacity and Advance Action on WHO Recommendations on Marketing of Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages to Children
2015 June 8-14 / Amman
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- Day 1 (6.154 Shakshouka)
- Day 2 (6.155 Dough!)
- Day 3 (6.156 Jordanian Grill Platter)
- Day 4 (6.157 Double Lamb Chop)
- Day 5 (6.158 Chicken Shawarma Sandwich)
- Day 6 (6.159 Memories of Hummus)
- Day 7 (6.160 Zaalouk-Crusted Chicken Breast)
(38) Meeting of the Regional Parliamentary Working Group on Universal Health Coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
2018 September 23-30 / Amman + Aqaba
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- Day 1 (9.261 Prawns Machboos)
- Day 2 (9.262 Mixed Grill and All the Fixin’s, Baby!)
- Day 3 (9.263 Mansaf with Meat and Rise)
- Day 4 (9.264 Lots of Chicken, Loads of Rice)
- Day 5 (9.265 Mixed Grill)
- Day 6 (9.266 Sayadiya)
- Day 7 (9.267 Dukkah-Spiced Salmon)
- Day 8 (9.268 Malabar Grouper)
KOREA
(5) Informal Round-Table Meeting on Litigation as a Tool for Tobacco Control + International Symposium on Tobacco Control & Law
2014 August 20-24 / Seoul
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- Day 1 (5.227 Stars)
- Day 2 (5.228 Rolls)
- Day 3 (5.229 Really Good Food)
- Day 4 (5.230 johndory Fish & unseasoned Chips)
- Day 5 (5.231 Bibimbab)
(15) 1st Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2015 July 1-3 / Seoul
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- Day 1 (6.177 Bulgogi)
- Day 2 (6.178 Sliders)
- Day 3 (6.179 Shrimp Tempura)
(21) Meeting of the Bureau of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2016 January 13-14 / Seoul
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- Day 1 (7.008 Apps)
- Day 2 (7.009 Grilled US Beef Tenderloin)
(28) 2nd Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health
2016 November 22-26 / Seoul
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- Day 1 (7.322 Palbochae)
- Day 2 (7.323 Hanwoo Cheeseburger)
- Day 3 (7.324 Vegetarian Menu)
- Day 4 (7.325 Mom’s Comfort Food)
- Day 5 (7.326 Bibimbab)
(33) Scoping Mission for the Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting for National Ethics/Bioethics Committees + International Symposium of the Korean Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health: “Achieving a Healthy Ageing Society”
2017 September 20-23 / Seoul
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- Day 1 (8.258 Hobak Jjigae)
- Day 2 (8.259 Naeng Myeon)
- Day 3 (8.260 Beef Tenderloin)
- Day 4 (8.261 Ssambab)
(34) Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting for National Ethics/Bioethics Committees
2017 October 22-25 / Seoul
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- Day 1 (8.290 Pleurogrammus Aonus)
- Day 2 (8.291 Ojingeo Sundae)
- Day 3 (8.292 Grilled Lamb)
- Day 4 (8.293 Grilled Fish)
(36) Scoping Mission for SEARO-WPRO High-Level Retreat
2018 May 27-30 / Gangneung + Sokcho + Pyeongchang + Seoul
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- Day 1 (9.142 BBQ Platter)
- Day 2 (9.143 Yeongdeok Crab)
- Day 3 (9.144 Jeongsik)
- Day 4 (9.145 Mul Naeng Myeon)
(2) Workshop on Coherence of Policies from Health and Non-Health Sectors to Improve Food and Nutrition and the Double Burden of Malnutrition
2014 June 23-26 / Vientiane
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- Day 1 (5.169 Kaeng Phed Ped Yang)
- Day 2 (5.170 A Deep-Fried Cricket)
- Day 3 (5.171 Lamb Ribs in Cream Sauce)
- Day 4 (5.172 Pho Ga)
(10) National Stakeholder Consultations on Tobacco Control
2015 March 10-13 / Vientiane
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- Day 1 (6.064 Fried Sun-Dried Venison Meat)
- Day 2 (6.065 Grilled Babyback Ribs)
- Day 3 (6.066 Larb Moo)
- Day 4 (6.067 Salmon Zosui)
(12) National Stakeholder Consultations on Tobacco Control
2015 May 30 – June 2 / Vientiane
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- Day 1 (6.064 Fried Sun-Dried Venison Meat)
- Day 2 (6.065 Grilled Babyback Ribs)
- Day 3 (6.066 Larb Moo)
- Day 4 (6.067 Salmon Zosui)
LEBANON
(40) Meeting of the Regional Parliamentary Working Group on Universal Health Coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
2018 December 1-7 / Beirut
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- Day 1 (9.330 Parrot Fish with Sweet & Sour Sauce)
- Day 2 (9.331 Hummus!)
- Day 3 (9.332 Kibbeh Nayeh)
- Day 4 (9.333 Grilled Halloumi Cheese)
- Day 5 (9.334 Pan-Fried Red Mullet)
- Day 6 (9.335 Legendary Meat on Dough)
- Day 7 (9.336 Sea Bass en Papillote)
MALAYSIA
(20) Regional Workshop on Restricting the Marketing of Foods and Non-alcoholic Beverages to Children in the Western Pacific
2015 November 29 – December 4 / Kuala Lumpur
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- Day 1 (6.328 #7 Paku Sambal Belacan)
- Day 2 (6.329 Kam-Heong Pan-Fried Prawns)
- Day 3 (6.330 Assorted Fruits Skewers)
- Day 4 (6.331 Nasi Lemak)
- Day 5 (6.332 Pork Xiao Long Bao)
- Day 6 (6.333 Jacked – Three Ways)
(37) 50th Conference of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium on Public Health
2018 September 9-11 / Kota Kinabalu
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- Day 1 (9.247 Chili Lobster)
- Day 2 (9.248 Homemade Chicken Curry)
- Day 3 (9.249 Ostrich in Oyster Sauce)
MONGOLIA
(42) WPRO All-Staff Retreat
2019 March 3-7 / Ulaanbaatar
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- Day 1 (10.057 Hindu Meal)
- Day 2 (10.058 Tsuiwan)
- Day 3 (10.059 Khuushuur)
- Day 4 (10.060 Buuz)
- Day 5 (10.061 Stock Soup of Bone and Stew Meat)
(49) 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting for National Ethics/Bioethics Committees
2019 October 19-25 / Wellington
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- Day 1 (10.287 Lamb Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
- Day 2 (10.288 Te Mana Frenched Lamb Rack)
- Day 3 (10.289 Bacon-Scallop Rolls)
- Day 4 (10.290 Fish with Salsa Verde)
- Day 5 (10.291 Wellington Sourdough)
- Day 6 (10.292 Bomber)
- Day 7 (10.293 Skinless Chicken Skewers Served with Barley and Porcini Salad, Light Sage Jus)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
(7) National Stakeholder Consultations on Tobacco Control
2014 October 4-10 / Port Moresby
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- Day 1 (5.271 Beef Caldereta)
- Day 2 (5.272 Char Koay Teow)
- Day 3 (5.273 Beefs Burger)
- Day 4 (5.274 Steak & Chips)
- Day 5 (5.275 Tofu with Vegetables in Clay Pot)
- Day 6 (5.276 Tuna Sashimi)
- Day 7 (5.277 Local Lunch!)
- Day 8 (5.278 Local Lunch Again!)
RUSSIA
(8) 6th Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
2014 October 11-19 / Moscow
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- Day 1 (5.279 Assorted Hot Mezzah)
- Day 2 (5.280 Black Sturgeon Caviar with Mini Pancakes)
- Day 3 (5.281 Russian Goodies)
- Day 4 (5.282 Pancakes with Rabbit)
- Day 5 (5.283 Kyurza)
- Day 6 (5.284 Borshch)
- Day 7 (5.285 Red Mullet Fillets with Couscous)
- Day 8 (5.286 Chili Mango Prawns with Asparagus Couscous)
(16) WHO Country Office Workshop on National Health Policy Planning and Universal Health Coverage
2015 August 30 – September 4 / Honiara
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- Day 1 (6.237 Coconut Panna Cotta)
- Day 2 (6.238 Marinated Snapper, the Solomons Way)
- Day 3 (6.239 Escargot)
- Day 4 (6.240 Spinach in Soy Sauce)
- Day 5 (6.241 Grilled Chicken + Sausage)
- Day 6 (6.242 Scallops)
SPAIN
(4) Summer Academy on Global Food Law & Policy
2014 July 20-28 / Getxo + Bilbao + Okondo + Barcelona
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- Day 1 (5.196 Frankfurter Würstchen mit Pommes)
- Day 2 (5.197 Pintxos)
- Day 3 (5.198 Sopa de Pescados y Marisco)
- Day 4 (5.199 Bogavante)
- Day 5 (5.200 Bolletus Cream with Fried Egg)
- Day 6 (5.201 La Vida Barca)
- Day 7 (5.202 Sepia Plancha)
- Day 8 (5.203 Vesper)
- Day 9 (5.204 Stir-Fried Spotted Garoupa with Vegetables)
(18) Meeting of WHO Focal Points for Diet and Physical Activity
2015 November 8-12 / Chavannes-de-Bogis
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- Day 1 (6.307 Chicken in Cream Sauce)
- Day 2 (6.308 Poêlée de Filets de Perches Dorés)
- Day 3 (6.309 Fricassée de Gambas au Curry)
- Day 4 (6.310 Mana à la Manor)
- Day 5 (6.311 Beef & Beetroot Meatballs)
(29) Scoping Meeting on the Ethics of Vector-Borne Diseases
2017 February 20-26 / Geneva
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- Day 1 (8.046 Grilled Seafood Selections)
- Day 2 (8.047 Sea Saurkraut)
- Day 3 (8.048 Raclette)
- Day 4 (8.049 Veal Marsala)
- Day 5 (8.050 Valaisanne Rösti)
- Day 6 (8.051 Fresh Herb Baby Chicken)
- Day 7 (8.052 Köfte + Piliç)
(35) Inception Meeting on a Global Programme for Building Legal Capacity to Address Unhealthy Diet
2018 February 24 – March 2 / Geneva
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- Day 1 (9.050 Grilled Seafood Selections)
- Day 2 (9.051 Entrecôte Café de Paris)
- Day 3 (9.052 La Fondue Suississime)
- Day 4 (9.053 Marmite du Pêcher)
- Day 5 (9.054 Mana à la Manor)
- Day 6 (9.055 Grilled Lamb Chop)
- Day 7 (9.056 Pide)
(6) Regional Workshop on Trade-Related Challenges to Tobacco Control in Southeast Asia
2014 August 20-23 / Bangkok
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- Day 1 (5.258 Chicken Noodle Soup)
- Day 2 (5.259 Tom Yum Goong)
- Day 3 (5.260 Phak Boong Fai Daeng)
- Day 4 (5.261 Phad Kra Phrao Pla Meuk)
(14) Regional Conference on the Art of Negotiating Trade and Investment Agreements
2015 June 24-27 / Chiang Mai
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- Day 1 (6.170 Khao Soi Goong)
- Day 2 (6.171 Sweet Sticky Rice with Ripped Mango)
- Day 3 (6.172 Sai Ua)
- Day 4 (6.173 Black Pepper Giant Prawns)
(50) 51st Conference of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium on Public Health
2019 November 19-22 / Bangkok + Pattaya
(45) First Meeting of the Regional Parliamentary Forum for Health and Well-Being in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
2019 June 22-27 / Tunis
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- Day 1 (10.168 Mini Sliders)
- Day 2 (10.169 Couscous with Grouper)
- Day 3 (10.170 Brik)
- Day 4 (10.171 Chorba Frik)
- Day 5 (10.172 Tajine with Shrimps)
- Day 6 (10.173 Chicken Kabsa)
(17) 66th Session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific
2015 October 10-16 / Guam
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- Day 1 (6.278 Chicken Kelaguen)
- Day 2 (6.279 Mixed Sea Grill Platter)
- Day 3 (6.280 Chamoru Pot Roast)
- Day 4 (6.281 RD’s Dinner)
- Day 5 (6.282 Tuna Poke)
- Day 6 (6.283 The Boss’s Beefy Birthday Bash)
- Day 7 (6.284 New York Strip Steak)
(22) 6th Meeting of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of NCDs
2016 February 6-13 / New York City + Philadelphia
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- Day 1 (7.032 Manhattan)
- Day 2 (7.033 Forty-Six Fifty)
- Day 3 (7.034 North Philly Sausage Cheesesteak on a Pretzel Roll)
- Day 4 (7.035 W T Fuku?)
- Day 5 (7.036 Classic Lobster Newberg)
- Day 6 (7.037 Pretzel)
- Day 7 (7.038 Hot Pastrami Sandwich)
- Day 8 (7.039 Sautéed Cod Fillet)
(25) Inaugural Meeting of the AFPPD Standing Committee on Active Ageing
2016 September 6-8 / Hanoi
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- Day 1 (7.245 Pho Bo)
- Day 2 (7.246 Bun Cha)
- Day 3 (7.247 Pho Ga)