Invitation to share feedback on European Programme of Work

Message from Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe

The COVID-19 pandemic that has been sweeping across the WHO European Region for several months now has taught us some hard lessons. It has shown us how vulnerable we are as human beings in the face of health threats that can spread rapidly across the globe. It has demonstrated that countries were not sufficiently prepared, despite all the efforts invested in surveillance and preparedness. But it has also proved that through coordinated action and solidarity we are able to overcome this pandemic and build stronger health and social care systems, contributing to an economy of well-being in the future.

When I began my mandate as the new WHO Regional Director for Europe in February of this year, I already knew that we can only overcome the multiple challenges in this complex and interconnected world, and create safer, healthier and fairer societies, if we are united and determined. Guided by the universal compass of the Sustainable Development Goals, we must take advantage of new opportunities, creativity, learning and technology to achieve universal health coverage for all, protect people against health emergencies and ensure health and well-being for everyone.

Building on the commitment to leave no one behind and to strengthen trust and health leadership, I am launching the European Programme of Work (EPW) – "United Action for Better Health". The EPW sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can support countries in our region better in meeting citizens' expectations about health. It is not an exhaustive list of all the actions and health areas that WHO covers but rather describes a new way of working to close the gaps in health outcomes throughout our region. It also acknowledges that to succeed, WHO must work in close partnership with regional and global partners.

The EPW will be put to health ministers and other delegates from the 53 Member States in the European Region for their endorsement at WHO’s annual governance meeting in September this year.

This new programme of work is an invitation to engage with all actors, including national and local institutions, international partners, and the wider community – civil society, academia, health service providers and the private sector. Achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour.

I invite you to read the EPW and share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how you/your organization can contribute to implementing it with us. The questions provided are a guide to help you to structure your feedback. We will share the outcomes with you in due course.

Your replies will be invaluable in mapping our collective journey in the months and years ahead, delivering health and well-being to the people of Europe.

Thank you for your support!

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge
WHO Regional Director for Europe

27 July 2020 update: the consultation closed on Friday, 24 July 2020