On 17 June 2025, members of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) will convene virtually for its 15th meeting, hosted and organized by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn.
Overall scope
The meeting will provide an opportunity to take stock of progress in the implementation of the commitments made under the Budapest Declaration, adopted in 2023. It will also introduce WHO’s second European Programme of Work (2026–2030), currently under development, to support future planning and policy alignment. The meeting will:
- provide a platform to review progress made by Member States and stakeholders in implementing the Budapest Declaration and its roadmap;
- facilitate a strategic discussion on shaping the EHTF Programme of Work for 2026–2027, focusing on the transformational shifts needed to address the growing complexity of evolving environment and health challenges, and build resilience;
- serve as a platform for electing a new EHTF Bureau for the 2025–2027 mandate;
- present key developments in the broader environment and health landscape, including updates on major global, regional and subregional initiatives, and foster greater coordination and collaboration across sectors and actors;
- highlight progress made through the EHP Partnerships.
Background
The EHTF is the leading international body for implementing and monitoring the European Environment and Health Process (EHP), the first intergovernmental initiative aimed at eliminating the most significant environmental threats to human health in the WHO European Region. It provides strategic guidance to support countries in aligning policies and actions on environment and health within the Region.
The EHTF is composed of leading officials from all Member States in the Region, and representatives of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations recognized as EHP stakeholders.
The EHTF meets annually in the period between Ministerial Conferences on Environment and Health.