07:30 British Summer Time/08:30 Central European Summer Time/09:30 Israel Standard Time (IST)
Ministers of health and representatives from 53 countries across the WHO European Region will meet for the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe on 12–14 September 2022, in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The Regional Committee is WHO/Europe’s decision-making body and the annual gathering is the premier meeting on public health in the European Region, convening health ministers, heads of state and government, and other dignitaries to discuss and
endorse regional policies, activities and financial plans to improve people’s health and well-being.
This year’s session, kindly hosted by the Israeli Ministry of Health, is the first to be held in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting will focus on priority health areas that will drive the work of the WHO Regional Office
for Europe in the coming years, including:
- empowerment through digital health
- health promotion through behavioural and cultural insights
- addressing health worker shortages
- access to affordable medicines.
Several new and updated regional action plans will be discussed and proposed for endorsement, including on ending cervical cancer, reducing alcohol consumption, and pushing for accelerated action to tackle tuberculosis, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually
transmitted infections.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the need to invest in research, diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation for those suffering from long COVID, will also feature in discussions, as will the current monkeypox outbreak and the health impacts
of the war in Ukraine.
At 2 years since the European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health” was endorsed by all 53 Member States, delegates will reflect on progress since 2020, amid the challenges posed by the pandemic, and
where action is required to meet the health needs and expectations of the Region’s nearly 1 billion citizens. All background documentation related to RC72 can be found here.
Journalists based both in Israel and outside the country are welcome to attend the press briefing, as well as key sessions of the Regional Committee meeting, in person. Those attending in person should ensure early arrival to register and receive their
press badge. Journalists unable to attend in person can join via Zoom. There will be an opportunity for media to ask questions.
What
Press conference of the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe
When
Wednesday, 14 September, 09:30–10:15 IST
Who
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe
Mr Nitzan Horowitz, Minister of Health of the State of Israel
Where
Room King Solomon A+B, Hilton Tel Aviv, HaYarkon St 205
Selected sessions of possible interest to media
Please refer to the official programme for a full list of sessions here.
To join sessions remotely, kindly email Bhanu Bhatnagar, bbhatnagar@who.int, for Zoom log-in details.
Monday, 12 September
09:00–11:00 Opening Plenary
- WHO Director-General
- WHO Regional Director for Europe
- President of the State of Israel
13:30–15:00 Health Systems in Action Insights (14 country launches)
17:00–18:30 European Framework for Behavioural & Cultural Insights for Health, 2022–2027
Tuesday, 13 September
08:00–09:00 The economy of well-being
08:00–09:00 Building better urban futures
12:30–13:30 Post-COVID condition (also known as long COVID)
16:00–17:00 Roadmap to accelerate elimination of cervical cancer in the European Region
Wednesday, 14 September
08:00–09:00 Tackling childhood obesity in the European Region
09:30–10:15 RC72 press conference
12:30–13:30 Launch of new report on health and care workforce shortages in Europe – with country breakdowns
Press contacts
Bhanu Bhatnagar: bbhatnagar@who.int
WHO/Europe Press Office: eupress@who.int
Ofer Kol: ofer.kol@moh.gov.il