Highlights
30 December 2024 - On 9 December 2024, the inaugural meeting of focal points for WHO’s second European Programme of Work, 2026–2030 (EPW2) took place. The gathering brought together representatives from 38 countries and WHO teams to discuss major trends affecting health and plan the EPW2’s participatory development process. The EPW2 will be co-created by Member States, ensuring inclusivity and alignment with national and regional needs.
The heart of the EPW2
This new programme will take account of health megatrends – major societal and environmental shifts impacting health and health care. Central to its development are 5 thematic hearings, each addressing a critical issue:
- 22 January 2025: “Confronting the silent epidemic: tackling noncommunicable diseases and advancing action on mental health”;
- 30 January 2025: “Ageing is living: working for a lifetime of health and well-being”;
- 21 February 2025: “Health systems of the future: harnessing technology and innovation in health, for everyone, everywhere”;
- 28 February 2025: “Climate change and environment: shaping a resilient future”; and
- 7 March 2025: “Health security and emergency preparedness: building a safe and secure European Region”.
These hearings will inform a paper that maps out challenges and actionable strategies to address them. By focusing on these themes, the EPW2 will be well placed to advance health equity and resilience while fortifying Member States’ capacity to respond to dynamic global health challenges.
Focal points: champions of collaboration and innovation
Health ministries have each nominated a focal point to contribute to the EPW2 development process. These Member State focal points will be a linchpin of the EPW2’s success, ensuring that it represents multiple interests and is actionable. Tasked with coordinating collaboration at a national level, the focal points will:
- shape strategic priorities: collaborate to define shared health goals and priorities for the WHO European Region;
- mobilize participation: foster inclusive engagement by identifying diverse stakeholders, including youth, civil society and intersectoral partners;
- facilitate consultations: channel feedback from national consultations to WHO, ensuring grassroots perspectives are reflected; and
- act as sounding boards: provide critical insights to refine the EPW2 ahead of governing body events.
At the meeting, focal points emphasized the importance of addressing cross-cutting concerns such as health workforce development, financing and digital health solutions.
The next meeting of this group will take place on 28 January 2025.
Event notice
9 December 2024 (online)
On 9 December 2024, the first in a series of meetings of focal points for WHO’s second European Programme of Work, 2026–2030 (EPW2) will take place. Participants will discuss major trends affecting health and plan the EPW2’s participatory development process.