Developing the Second European Programme of Work

Following the nomination of Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge to serve a second term as WHO Regional Director for Europe, work started to develop EPW2.

The overarching goal was and remains to unite the Region’s 53 Member States to work towards a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future for all people.

It is a shared endeavour, requiring collaboration among people, patients and health professionals, and across sectors and borders.

EPW2 tailors WHO’s global health priorities as agreed in the 14th General Programme of Work (2025–2028) to the European Region context, and accelerates action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In recent years we have made significant advances in health. Now, people across the European Region live on average 5 years longer than they did at the turn of this century. Yet the Region of today is changing in unparalleled ways due to an ageing population, shrinking workforce, climate crisis, large-scale migration, powerful commercial interests, social polarization, waning trust in science and institutions, and exponential advances in digital technologies.

Health and health equity are sensitive to the complex interplay of these megatrends. They can contribute to acute health emergencies, high carbon emissions, cybersecurity threats, rising inequalities and mis- and disinformation. Yet these changes also offer solutions and opportunities to strengthen health systems and ensure they can anticipate and respond to future demands.

Key focus areas for EPW2 that emerged from research and dialogue with countries and partners in the European Region included:

• tackling the surge of noncommunicable diseases and mental health issues
• addressing demographic shifts such as ageing and migration
• preparing health systems for the future
• managing the health impacts of climate change
• building health security.

These challenges can be faced head on by harnessing digital technology and innovation, propelling health systems to a new level of efficiency.

The development of EPW2 was also informed by priorities set out by the Regional Director. In this regard, WHO/Europe launched a special initiative to address violence against women and girls, and has committed to elevate the role of primary health care to ensure that health care is accessible to all and provided in the community.

Co-creation, joint accountability, alignment, and a balance between continuity and innovation are the basic principles guiding the development and delivery of EPW2. Member States co-own EPW2, and are shaping its priorities and outcomes.

Countries have nominated dedicated focal points to take part in this process.

Partners – including non-state actors, intergovernmental organizations and academia – have been actively engaged through a series of consultations, ensuring that their inputs are gathered and integrated.

To inform EPW2, WHO/Europe hosted a series of 5 online hearings in the first quarter of 2025. Open to all, the hearings sought to gather different perspectives and proposals on tackling the megatrends that will present the biggest challenges and opportunities for health until and beyond 2030 in the WHO European Region.

The 5 hearings brought together over 5000 experts, decision-makers, Member State and civil society representatives, as well as others with an interest in health. The insights from their discussions have been captured in a “Futures Paper” that  complements the EPW2 policy document.