WHO at the EU

The WHO Regional Committee meets in Copenhagen today at a pivotal moment — shaping the role of the Regional Office in Europe and beyond at a time of challenges to global health. We stand ready to support @WHO on this important journey. Deep gratitude for Hans Kluge’s leadership.

Grateful to our partners for a powerful panel discussion at #RC75CPH following the launch of the Call to Action under @WHO_Europe’s special initiative on violence against women & girls. High-level representatives from 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇯 Tajikistan, @EU_Commission, @unwomeneca & @unfpaeecaro reaffirmed: 🩺 Health care must be part of the solution. For that, health systems need to be better prepared and empowered to play their part effectively. Thank you for your leadership and readiness to act together. Learn more about the special initiative 👉 bit.ly/3WYOKqv #HealthForAll

Health care must be at the heart of our response to violence against women and girls. To make this a reality, at #RC75CPH, I’ve issued a Call to Action under @WHO_Europe’s special initiative to respond to violence against women & girls. Violence leaves deep scars on bodies and minds. For many survivors, the health system is their first - and sometimes only - point of contact. We cannot miss that moment to listen, to care, and to act. To act more effectively, we need to: 🔹put prevention and care at the heart of every health policy and service 🔹equip and empower the health workforce 🔹ensure comprehensive post-rape care 🔹strengthen ethical data systems 🔹place survivors at the centre of all we do. This is within our power - and our duty as health leaders. Let’s make the health sector a place of safety and healing for every woman and every girl, in every country of our Region. #HealthForAll

At #EHF2025, #WHO stressed the need to prioritise health on the humanitarian agenda. From Ukraine, Gaza to Yemen, & beyond, we stand in solidarity with communities in crisis alongside other UN partners. We🙏 the # EU 4 vital support in saving lives& promoting access to health

Strategic coordination &partnership is crucial in challenging times. WHO@EU is grateful to @SwissmissionEU for hosting important gathering of health attaches to discuss upcoming WHA, WHO reforms &MFF. 🙏 HE Rita Adam & Counsel. Ariane🙏 to all participants for a rich exchange

Happy #EuropeDay! We thank all European countries and citizens for their partnership and contributions to @WHO and delivering #HealthForAll.

Today we celebrate #EuropeDay 🇪🇺. The EU is a key global partner for @UN and @WHO in advancing health and in protecting people and the planet. At @WHO we are grateful for our EU partners’ strong commitment to #multilateralism & proud of working together every day to prevent and respond to health emergency, promote well-being, strengthen health systems & ensure #HealthForAll. #StrongerTogether

Today, we had an open & constructive discussion with our colleagues at @EU_Commission on the priorities of the new European Programme of Work - #EPW2 - our health compass for the next 5+ years. Everyone agreed: this is no time for business as usual. The rapidly shifting international landscape forces us all to rethink how we work and how we serve the people who rely on us. The challenges we face are enormous: rising health emergencies, conflicts and wars, new and re-emerging diseases, the health impacts of climate change, workforce shortages, increasing mental health needs, violence against women and girls, and more. Now more than ever, we must be strategic, efficient, and purposeful in every action we take. Strengthening trusted partnerships – like the one we have with @EU_Commission – is key. I deeply value the EU’s strong support for @WHO, its commitment to multilateralism, and its readiness to deepen our cooperation. By aligning our priorities, coordinating efforts, and building on synergies — while avoiding duplication — we can better protect health security and drive health policy convergence across the Pan-European Region. @EU_Health @eu_echo @ECDC_EU @WHOatEU @WHO_Europe #HealthForAll

The @EU_Commission’s Directorate-General for Int’l Partnerships plays an important role in promoting multilateralism & driving sustainable development — in the European Region and far beyond. I thanked Deputy Director-General Martin Seychell for the continued partnership with @WHO – at all levels & in countries – in advancing our shared vision of a safer and healthier Region. We also explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration in Central Asia, where @WHO_Europe is actively supporting national reforms through a subregional roadmap for health & wellbeing. We see the EU as a natural and strategic partner in driving progress for people and communities in Central Asia. Looking ahead, I count on our continued collaboration to ensure that health remains central to the EU’s external action and future investments. #HealthForAll

I was very pleased to meet today the Ambassador of 🇲🇻 HE Geela Ali to discuss our shared commitment to strengthening healthcare systems, UHC & access to medicines and to enhance our cooperation in the area of global health @WHOMaldives @WHOatEU @MDVinBelgium

Join us at our hearing on climate change & health on Friday, 28 February. This will be our 4th public hearing as we shape the new European Programme of Work – #EPW2 – our #health compass for the next 5+ years. Climate change isn’t just about rising temperatures – it’s about people’s lives, health & futures. The WHO European Region is already facing the devastating consequences: deadly heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and the spread of infectious diseases. These challenges are claiming lives and putting immense pressure on our health systems. But we have the power to act. Whether you're a policymaker, health professional, climate advocate, or simply someone who cares about our collective future – this is your chance to make an impact. Your voice matters! 🔗 Register here: bit.ly/4fM9Nn7 🕙 Time: 10:00 CET #EPW2 #UnitedActionForBetterHealth #ECEHBonn

📢 What might the future of health in Europe look like? Join: 🔵@hans_kluge 🔵 @katrinjak 🔵 @JaneGoodallInst 🔵 Andrew Haines of @LSHTM for our #EPW2 hearing on #ClimateChange and Health this week Register here 👉 bit.ly/4fM9Nn7 🗓️ 28 February 2025 🕕 10.00 CET

Health is the largest employment sector in Europe, yet by 2030, the EU will need 11 million newly trained or imported health and long-term care workers to meet rising demand. This was one of the key topics in my meeting with @RoxanaMinzatu, European Commission’s Executive Vice-President, where we also discussed a range of other critical health challenges that call for even closer collaboration between @WHO and EU, including youth mental health and preparedness. I emphasized that tackling health workforce challenge requires a mix of strategies, including: ✅ Enhancing efficiency within the existing workforce ✅ Innovative leadership to optimize health services ✅ Leveraging digital health & AI ✅ Redefining teams & skill mixes for sustainability I was impressed by the @EU_Commission’s ambitious plans for enhancing skills across the EU, including digital literacy, and improving job quality & working conditions, particularly in health care and long-term care. The @WHO_Europe’s 2023 Bucharest Declaration provides a roadmap to strengthen the health and care workforce across our Region. We stand ready to work closely with EU partners to implement these measures and ensure sustainable, resilient health systems for the future. #HealthForAll @EU_Commission @vonderleyen @hadjalahbib @OliverVarhelyi

Today, I met 🇧🇪’s new Deputy Prime Ministers, @prevotmaxime and Frank Vandenbroucke, and congratulated them on the formation of the new federal government. We discussed Belgium’s priorities for int'l health cooperation, as well as challenges at the regional & global levels. I thanked Mr. Prévot and Mr. Vandenbroucke for their steadfast support for multilateralism, especially in these turbulent times. I also commended 🇧🇪 for its achievements in healthcare – particularly for the increased investment in the sector and strong measures against tobacco and alcohol consumption – and reaffirmed @WHO_Europe’s readiness to support Belgium in implementing its health reform package.

Fruitful exchanges this week with Francesco Zaffini, chair of the Health Committee in the Italian Senate, to scale up parliamentary engagement for public health in Europe. From AMR to the health work force crisis, parliaments willing to play their part in advancing #HealthForAll

.@WHO and the EU share a common vision for a safer, healthier & more equal Europe - the foundation of our strategic partnership. This is what I emphasized when speaking at the European Parliament’s Committee on Public Health, where I also laid out my vision for the Pan-European Region – a region that is: 🔹Prepared and resilient against health security threats. 🔹Tackling the health impact of climate change head-on. 🔹Ensuring that every citizen can age in good health. 🔹Fighting both non-communicable diseases & mental health challenges with determination. 🔹Building future-proof health systems, driven by technology and strong primary care. 🔹Protecting women and girls from violence and ensuring their right to health and safety. This vision will shape our new European Programme of Work – #EPW2 – our guiding compass for the next 5 years and beyond, which we are co-creating with @WHO_Europe’s 53 Member States, including 27 EU Member States. But to achieve this vision, health must be a top political priority. We need: 🔹Health systems that drive continuous innovation and learning. 🔹Health policies that reinforce equity and solidarity – so no one is left behind. 🔹A firm defence of science - truth over misinformation, facts over disinformation. Parliaments play a vital role in everything we do — representing people and communities and keeping institutions accountable. I’ve assured @EP_PublicHealth that @WHO will remain the EU´s solid and steadfast partner in championing the public health agenda over the coming years. We need real political commitment and collective action to turn words into results. #HealthForAll

Indeed, Mr Simon Mordue, multilateralism does matter. Especially now, as we navigate many challenges - both new & old. Our collaboration with @eu_eeas remains strong and essential & we deeply value the EU’s steadfast commitment to support @WHO. Looking forward to continuing our joint efforts, including through close collaboration with EU delegations in countries, to build a healthier, more resilient future for all - both in our region & beyond. #HealthForAll @EuMordue @eu_eeas @kajakallas @EU_Commission @vonderleyen @hadjalahbib @OliverVarhelyi @WHO_Europe @WHOatEU @OxanaDomenti @EU_Health

A strong partnership between @WHO_Europe and @EU_ECHO has been instrumental in responding to health emergencies and humanitarian crises across the region. In my meeting with Hans Das, Deputy Director-General of @EU_ECHO, I expressed deep appreciation for our close cooperation – particularly on medical evacuations from #Ukraine & #Gaza, as well as humanitarian support for Syria via WHO’s emergency office in Gaziantep. I also introduced WHO/Europe’s new Preparedness 2.0 Strategy, adopted at the 74th session of Regional Committee, and shared how it can support the development of the EU Preparedness Strategy. @EU_ECHO plays a vital role in advancing the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Initiative in the WHO European Region, including support for the development of the EMT Regional Action Plan 2024–2030. Only through strong partnerships can we enhance preparedness, improve response, and make sure no one is left behind when crises hit.

This morning started with a productive & insightful meeting with Sandra Gallina, Director-General for Health & Food Safety of @EU_Commission, and her team. Difficult times test partnerships – but they also make them stronger. The #EU has been our key ally, both technically & financially, in advancing global #health. Its commitment to multilateralism and @WHO’s work remains invaluable – we deeply appreciate it. There’s more we can do and achieve together – from strengthening health systems, preparedness & response to tackling non-communicable diseases, mental health, antimicrobial resistance, digital health & beyond. Looking forward to working closely with our EU partners in shaping the 2nd European Programme of Work – #EPW2 – our health compass for the next 5+ years. #HealthForAll #StrongerTogether

As a father of two daughters who are pursuing their education and searching for their place in the modern world, I often think about the future we are shaping for them – a future where all women and girls can learn, grow and reach their full potential without any barriers. On Int’l Day of Women & Girls in Science (IDWGS), we are reminded that a better future for women & girls is only possible when they have equal opportunities to participate in every field, including science. Yet, despite progress, gender equality in science remains elusive. Here is the reality: 🔹 Only 1 in 3 scientists today is a woman. 🔹 In artificial intelligence, just 1 in 5 professionals (22%) is a woman. 🔹 Women still make up only 28% of engineering graduates & 40% of graduates in computer science. And the more alarming statistic: 🔹 1 in 2 female scientists has reported experiencing sexual harassment at work. At @WHO_Europe, addressing gender-based violence and its impact on health is one of the priorities of the second European Programme of Work – #EPW2. It is our new compass for health and well-being in the region for the next 5+ years that we at are co-creating with Member States. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of IDWGS & the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, let’s work together to ensure that women and girls have the opportunities they deserve. Gender equality in science is not just about fairness – it is about building a better future for all. Only by embracing all talent and knowledge can we unlock the full potential of science and tackle the challenges of our time. #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM @UN @antonioguterres @AminaJMohammed @MelissaFleming @WHO @DrTedros @UN_Women @unwomenchief @unwomeneca @igunwomen @UNESCO @AAzoulay @UNESCOEU