EuroHealthNet addresses the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe
The 73rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe is taking place 24-26 October 2023. Health ministers and high-level delegates from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, as well as representatives of partner organizations and civil society are meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan to discuss current health issues and set the direction for future activities.
As a recognised non-state actor, EuroHealthNet submitted several statements to the WHO Regional Committee meeting.
The statements made were:
Provisional Agenda item 10 “Accelerating progress towards healthy, prosperous lives for all, increasing equity in health and leaving no one behind in the WHO European Region”.
EuroHealthNet welcomes the opportunity to reflect on the report “Accelerating progress towards healthy, prosperous lives for all, increasing equity in health and leaving no one behind in the WHO European Region“. Inequalities across the European Region have grown larger due to the effect of the pandemic and other challenges. Trust in institutions has diminished, making societies more fragile. This is a grave challenge that could undermine progress on all other goals. However, the WHO European Region is well-aware of and acting to address the challenge.
EuroHealthNet recommends prioritising action to encourage Member States to take systems-wide approaches to health creation and achieving a wellbeing economy. WHO Europe can offer an enabling environment and convene key actors who can then develop and implement strong, integrated social protection and health promoting systems. It can generate and disseminate cutting-edge evidence, tools, and methods to include equity in policies, as well as to support the technical and knowledge capacity of the public health workforce. Steps must be taken to truly and fully realise equity in health and leave no one behind in the Region. This can be achieved through a whole-of-society approach.
Provisional Agenda item 10 “Implementation of the European Environment and Health Process: Progress Report”.
EuroHealthNet made a statement on the “Implementation of the European Environment and Health Process: Progress Report“, welcoming the progress report of the European Environment and Health Process and encouraging WHO Europe to focus on promoting a green, healthy, and just transition. We recognise the efforts made by WHO Europe and the European Task Force and look forward to the alignment of EU Air quality standards with WHO guidelines. We urge WHO Europe to set clear milestones, empower health professionals, prioritise food policy, and involve Non State Actors in the implementation process. EuroHealthNet reaffirms its commitment to support the European WHO Environment and Health process and calls for its translation into practice.
Joint Statements that EuroHealthNet endorsed
- EuroHealthNet endorsed a statement led by The European Public Health Alliance on the Roadmap on antimicrobial resistance for the WHO European Region 2023-2030.
Find the statement, here.
Read more on the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe here.
