Studiorum Participated at the 67th WHO Europe Regional Committee

67^th Regional Committee of WHO Europe, September 11-14, 2017, in Budapest, Hungary

The 67^th Regional Committee of World Health Organization for Europe (WHO Europe), took place in Budapest, Hungary, from 11 to 14 September 2017, and was attended by the Health ministers and high-level representatives of the 53 Member States of the WHO Europe, as well as partner organizations and civil society.

This year’s agenda was devoted to:

• Opportunities and challenges for 21st-century public health in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and the Health 2020 policy framework;
• Improving environment and health in the context of Health 2020 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on outcomes of the 6th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health;
• Working towards a sustainable health workforce in the WHO European Region through a framework for action;
• Strengthening Member State collaboration on improving access to medicines in the WHO European Region;
• Accelerating implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) and strengthening laboratory capacities for better health in the WHO European Region; and
• Building regional partnerships for health.

The 4-day programme included progress reports on the implementation of the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020, the European food and nutrition action plan 2015–2020, and the European mental health action plan. A final report on the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the Region was also shared.

At the Regional Committee, Studiorum supported four joint-statements from the non-state actors (civil society):

• Towards a sustainable health workforce in the WHO European Region: framework for action, together with Alliance for Health Promotion, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), COTEC, European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA), European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), European Public Health Association (EUPHA), International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC), Medicus Mundi International, The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), WONCA Europe, World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) и Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA);
• Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on Health 2020, the European policy for health and well-being, together with International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA), European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) и Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA);
• Implementation of the European Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol 2012–2020 (resolution EUR/RC61/R4), together with IOGT International, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) и European Public Health Alliance (EPHA); and
• Oral Contribution on Strengthening Member State collaboration on improving access to medicines in the WHO European Region (EUR/RC67/11 + EUR/RC67/Conf.Doc./9), together with Health Action International (HAI), European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), Medicus Mundi International (MMI), International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) и International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA).

In the opening address, the Regional Director of WHO Europe, Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab stressed that the priorities are clear, the focus should be steered on: inequities (“leaving no one behind”), embedding gender and human rights into all policies, achieving universal health coverage and strengthening the health systems with focus on primary health care. She also noted that we must address all determinants of health, if we are to achieve health and well-being for all, as well as to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response. Additionally, Dr.Jakab stated that what is needed is investment in health care, which many countries can afford, and it is a political choice, not an economic constraint, as well as building strong partnerships and cooperation to meet ambitious health goals.

More information, for the 67^th WHO Europe Regional Committee, is available at: http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/governance/regional-committee-for-europe/67th-session