72nd Session of WHO Regional Committee for Europe Took Place

The first in person meeting of the Regional Committee since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to discuss further implementation of the European Program of Work (EPW) 2020-2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” and its impact on health and well-being at the country level.

The session discussed main public health issues in the region, current health emergencies and opportunities for closer subregional and interregional cooperation, empowerment through digital health, health promotion through behavioral and cultural insights and access to affordable medicines.

Several new and revised regional action plans and roadmaps were discussed and submitted for approval on topical issues such as cervical cancer, alcohol use, tuberculosis, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections.

Ministers of health and senior officials from 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, as well as representatives of partner organizations and civil society participated in the session.

On behalf of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat, Head of the Expert and Analytical Directorate Denis Zhuk, Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights Evgenia Vladimirova, Head of the Department for International Relations, Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Political Affairs and International Cooperation Maximillian Selyutin and consultant of the Department for International Relations Petr Fedotov attended the event as observers via videoconferencing.