4th South-eastern Europe Health Ministerial Forum: Health, well-being and prosperity in south-eastern Europe by 2030 in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

3–4 April 2017, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

On 3–4 April 2017, health ministers of the 9 countries that make up the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) will gather for the 4th South-eastern Europe Health Ministerial Forum in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The Forum is co-organized by Ms Ruxanda Glavan, President of SEEHN and Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova, and Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

The 4th Forum, which focuses on the theme “Health, well-being and prosperity in south-eastern Europe by 2030 in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, will act as the cornerstone of regional cooperation for public health in south-eastern Europe. The event will provide an opportunity for in-depth discussion about political and technical collaboration, as well as the way forward for closer partnership among SEEHN members. Topics for discussion will include the status and associated challenges of noncommunicable diseases, universal health coverage, cross-border public health, emergencies and migration, as well as joint efforts to address issues related to the socioeconomic determinants of health.

Background

SEEHN is a political and institutional forum established in 2001 for the purpose of promoting peace, reconciliation and health in south-eastern Europe. To date, members include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Israel (since 2011), Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In 2015, Croatia changed its status from a founding Member State into a partner. WHO/Europe acted as secretariat alongside the Council of Europe from 2001 to 2009, and lends technical support to SEEHN’s various health projects.