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Teema: Invitation to the 14th meeting of the EHTF Bureau (virtual, 14 April 2025) // Приглашение на четырнадцатое совещание Бюро ЦГОСЗ (14 апреля 2025 г., в виртуальном формате)
Kuupäev: 2025-03-19 07:34
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. For
Russian version, please scroll down. Текст письма на русском языке
приводится ниже
To:
Members of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) and its
Bureau;
WHO National Counterparts;
Cc:
WHO Representatives and Heads of Country Offices;
WHO Secretariat;
Dear Members of the EHTF Bureau,
On behalf of the Chair and Co-Chair, I am pleased to invite you to the
14th meeting of the EHTF Bureau, which will be held virtually:
📅 Monday, 14 April 2025 | 🕑 14:00–16:00 CEST
This 2-hour online meeting will focus on:
🔹 Shaping the agenda for the 15th EHTF meeting.
🔹 Providing updates on procedural matters, including the upcoming
Bureau election.
The meeting will be conducted in English.
While the meeting is primarily intended for Bureau members, EHTF members
are welcome to attend.
Please complete the registration form here at the following link by 10
April 2025: https://who.zoom.us/meeting/register/jhyAEYzrSr2NocN2fM-nXQ
More details, including relevant documents, will be shared with you soon.
Please find attached the draft summary of the last EHTF Bureau meeting.
If you have any comments, kindly share them with us by 28 March 2025,
after which the report will be finalized.
For any questions, please contact us at
[email protected].
Kind regards,
Nino Sharashidze
On behalf of the EHP Secretariat
***
Кому:
Членам Европейской целевой группы по окружающей среде и здоровью (ЦГОСЗ)
Национальным ответственным представителям ВОЗ
Копия:
Представителям и руководителям Страновых офисов ВОЗ
Секретариату ВОЗ
Уважаемые члены Бюро ЦГОСЗ!
От имени председателя и сопредседателя я рада пригласить вас принять
участие в четырнадцатом совещании Бюро ЦГОСЗ, которое пройдет в
виртуальном формате.
📅 Понедельник, 14 апреля 2025 г. | 🕑 14:00–16:00 по
центральноевропейскому летнему времени (CEST)
Совещание продолжительностью 2 часа будет посвящено следующим темам:
🔹 Составление программы пятнадцатого совещания ЦГОСЗ.
🔹 Новая информация по процедурным вопросам, включая предстоящие
выборы Бюро.
Совещание Коллегии будет проходить на английском языке. Несмотря на то,
что совещание Коллегии в первую очередь рассчитано на ее членов, мы
приглашаем к участию в нем всех членов ЦГОСЗ.
Для участия просим вас до 10 апреля 2025 г. заполнить регистрационную
форму по ссылке:
https://who.zoom.us/meeting/register/jhyAEYzrSr2NocN2fM-nXQ.
В ближайшее время мы направим вам дополнительную информацию, включая
соответствующие документы.
В приложении к данному письму находится проект краткого отчета о
последнем совещании Коллегии ЦГОСЗ. Комментарии к отчету принимаются до 28
марта 2025 г., после чего будет подготовлен окончательный текст документа.
Со всеми вопросами просим обращаться по электронной почте
[email protected].
С уважением,
Nino Sharashidze
от имени Секретариата ЕПОСЗ
---
EHP Secretariat | Multisectoral Partnerships for Environment and Health
(MPE)
WHO Regional Office for Europe | European Centre for Environment and
Health | Bonn, Germany
E-mail:
[email protected]| Web: European Environment and Health Process (EHP)
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
Thirteenth meeting of the European Environment EURO/EHTFB13
and Health Task Force (EHTF) Bureau
Virtual 17 March 2025
16 December 2024 Original: English
Draft meeting highlights
Organizer Main agreements and next steps
WHO European Centre for Environment and • The Bureau members expressed their
Health, acting in its role as Secretariat of the agreement with the proposed elements of
European Environment and Health Process (EHP), the draft agenda for the upcoming EHTF
in support of the EHTF Chair and co-Chair. meeting. They also decided to convene for
a Bureau consultation in early 2025 to
Participants
further discuss and refine the development
72 participants from 34 Member States in the of the EHTF agenda.
WHO European Region and 8 stakeholder • The host country for the EHTF meeting
representatives, including youth. has yet to be confirmed, and the EHP
Overall scope Secretariat has invited expressions of
interest from EHTF members to host the
To plan activities and key milestones to be
meeting.
achieved by the EHP in the implementation of the
• In the spring of 2025, the EHP Secretariat
commitments from the Budapest Declaration in
will launch a call for expressions of
2025 and beyond. Also, to take stock of the
interest to serve in the EHTF Bureau and
progress made in 2024 in the follow-up to the
will work on updating and expanding the
Budapest Conference, including updates from the
list of EHP stakeholders.
EHTF and EHP Partnerships.
Selected conclusions
• Political momentum on environment and health issues (particularly climate and health action)
has been increasing, as reflected in the latest Manifesto of the Regional Director of the European
Region of the WHO, which shapes the direction of the second European Programme of Work
(EPW2).
• Countries are actively working toward implementing the Budapest commitments, demonstrating
progress at the national level.
• The EHP Partnerships continue to expand and progress, with new members joining and key
initiatives moving forward, strengthening regional cooperation on environment and health.
• Implementation of the Budapest commitments remains a key priority for the WHO European
Centre for Environment and Health, which is committed to supporting Member States and
stakeholders in addressing it.
page 2
Contents
Highlights ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 3
2. Opening and adoption of the agenda............................................................................................. 4
3. On the road to implementing the Budapest commitments ............................................................. 4
Overview of country activities presented by the Member State representatives .................................. 5
▪ Work on water safety plan auditing and climate change impacts on vector-borne diseases.......... 5
▪ Strategic approach to implementing the Budapest Declaration .................................................. 5
▪ Collaborative approach to addressing air pollution .................................................................. 5
▪ Highlights on best practices for hand hygiene and menstrual health in schools .......................... 6
▪ Progress on chemical safety and Poison Center development ................................................... 6
Examples of regional activities presented by the EHP Secretariat and stakeholders’ representatives. 7
▪ Air quality ............................................................................................................................ 7
▪ Chemical safety .................................................................................................................... 7
▪ Climate change and health ..................................................................................................... 8
▪ Environmentally sustainable health systems ............................................................................ 9
▪ Environmental noise.............................................................................................................. 9
▪ Nature and health .................................................................................................................. 9
▪ Environment and health inequality ....................................................................................... 10
▪ One Health ......................................................................................................................... 10
▪ Professional profiles ............................................................................................................ 10
▪ Safe active mobility............................................................................................................. 10
▪ Sustainable Development Goals ........................................................................................... 10
▪ Water, sanitation and hygiene .............................................................................................. 11
4. EHP Partnerships: key updates and developments ..................................................................... 13
▪ Health Sector Climate Action............................................................................................... 13
▪ Human Biomonitoring ......................................................................................................... 13
▪ Poisons Centres................................................................................................................... 13
▪ Risk Reduction in the School Environment ........................................................................... 14
▪ Youth ................................................................................................................................. 14
▪ Healthy Active Mobility ...................................................................................................... 14
5. Accelerating the implementation of the Programme of Work of the EHTF in 2025 .................... 15
6. Preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the EHTF ..................................................................... 16
7. Strengthening governance, intersectoral collaboration and knowledge for health and
environment ................................................................................................................................... 16
8. Update on the forthcoming Bureau elections .............................................................................. 17
9. Summary of decisions and next steps .......................................................................................... 18
Annex 1. List of participants........................................................................................................... 19
Annex 2. Provisional programme ................................................................................................... 28
Annex 3. Materials shared in the chat ............................................................................................ 29
page 3
1. Introduction
1. The highlights provide a summary of the key discussions and decisions made during the
thirteenth EHTF Bureau meeting, which was held on 16 December 2025 through a virtual
connection. The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of the European Environment
and Health Process (EHP) in 2024 and planning for 2025. The highlights are organized by
the main topics of the meeting sessions.
2. The meeting was organized by the World Health Organization European Centre for
Environment and Health (WHO ECEH), acting in its role as Secretariat of the EHP, in
support of the Chair and co-Chair.
3. The meeting was attended by members of the Bureau from Armenia, Georgia, Germany,
Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands (Kingdom of the) and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as by representatives of the European Environment
and Health Youth Coalition (EEHYC), Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP). In addition, EHTF members from Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland,
Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), Norway, Romania,
Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and representatives of
the European Commission (EC), International Youth Health Organization, Regional
Environmental Center (REC) former and United Nations Human Settlements Programme
(UN-Habitat) joined the meeting. Also, alongside WHO ECEH experts, representatives
from WHO Country Offices in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting
(Annex 1).
Member States representatives excluded from the Bureau composition
EHTF Bureau members
Stakeholder representatives
28% WHO
49%
7%
17%
Figure 1. Distribution of 13th EHTF Bureau meeting participants by representation category
page 4
2. Opening and adoption of the agenda
4. The meeting began with an opening from Prof. Raquel Duarte-Davidson, the co-Chair of
the Bureau, who welcomed the Bureau as well as other members of the EHTF attending
the meeting. The Chair of the EHTF, Ms Brigit Staatsen, shared the chairing with Ms
Duarte-Davidson.
5. The co-Chair was followed by Ms Francesca Racioppi, the Head of the WHO ECEH, who
welcomed meeting participants and introduced the scope and purpose of the meeting, as
well as the provisional programme (Annex 2).
6. Ms Racioppi also highlighted key takeaways from the 74th session of the WHO Regional
Committee for Europe, where Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge was nominated by Member States
for a second five-year term as WHO Regional Director for Europe. Key focus areas for
EPW2 that emerge from research and ongoing dialogue with countries and partners in the
European Region include:
o tackling the surge of noncommunicable diseases and mental health issues;
o addressing demographic shifts such as ageing and migration;
o establishing health systems of the future;
o managing the health impacts of climate change;
o building health security.
As presented above, one of the priorities of Dr Kluge’s Manifesto is the urgent need to
address climate change, placing the environment and health agenda at the heart of regional
policies. This marks a significant milestone for the EHP, as the upcoming EPW2 (2026–
2030) will provide a structured framework for Member States to advance their environment
and health commitments in line with the Budapest Declaration and its Roadmap.
7. Looking ahead, February 2025 will feature a public hearing on “Climate Change and
Health: Shaping a Resilient Future”. In the following months, the Pan-European
Commission on Climate Change and Health is expected to be launched, aimed at
strengthening leadership and collaboration across the health and environment sectors.
8. The revised agenda and the provisional programme of the meeting were adopted.
3. On the road to implementing the Budapest commitments
9. Participants were presented with inspiring examples of how Budapest commitments are
being implemented across the region (Table 1). Tangible progress was showcased through
selected Member State initiatives mostly implemented after the latest EHTF meeting (26–
27 June 2024 Utrecht, Netherlands (Kingdom of the)), illustrating how these commitments
have been translated into action. The collection of country experiences was based on
submissions from Member States and, in some cases, developed in collaboration with the
WHO ECEH.
page 5
Table 1. Overview of country activities presented by the Member State representatives
Croatia Work on water safety plan auditing and climate change impacts on vector-borne
diseases
Croatia presented key outcomes from the Water Safety Plan (WSP) Auditing workshop
(6–7 May 2024, Split), highlighting its success in using a participatory approach to secure
political commitment at the national level. Organized by the Institute of Public Health and
WHO ECEH under the Protocol on Water and Health, the workshop addressed critical
health challenges linked to climate change and water pollution. Participants gained
valuable knowledge and skills on developing and implementing national auditing schemes
effectively. The meeting also fostered networking among Croatian, Hungarian and Italian
experts to share experiences and best practices, and promoting peer-to-peer support as well
as future collaboration on WSP auditing, reinforcing regional efforts to safeguard public
health through improved water management.
The country representative also informed participants about the outcomes of a meeting on
the impacts of climate change on vector-borne diseases in Croatia, held on 14–15 October
2024 in Zagreb. Organized by the Institute of Public Health, WHO Country Office in
Croatia, and WHO ECEH, the event built on a workshop on the implementation of the
Budapest Declaration and its Roadmap, held in November 2023. Key takeaways included
the importance of developing public health interventions to reduce disease burdens,
promoting innovative research for surveillance and prevention, and advancing new tools
for diagnosis and control. Strengthening climate-adaptive health systems was highlighted
as a priority.
Hungary Strategic approach to implementing the Budapest Declaration
The strategic decision of Hungary on the implementation of the Budapest Declaration was
to integrate commitments horizontally into existing strategies and policies, including the
National Environmental Protection Program, the National Climate Change Program, and
the National Sustainable Development Framework Strategy. These strategies are action-
oriented, set clear targets with numerical indicators and deadlines, and extend beyond
electoral cycles, ensuring long-term impact.
A key priority is the reduction of preventable deaths and the promotion of healthier
environments, focusing on air quality, urban health, and mental well-being. The National
Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, in collaboration with the WHO Collaborating
Center on Environmental Health Risk Management, continues its work on indoor
environments and children's health. A new cycle of the National Children's Respiratory
Health Survey will be launched in 2025, covering approximately 70,000 third-grade
children, providing data on environmental determinants of respiratory health.
Israel Collaborative approach to addressing air pollution
Israel’s air pollution challenges are influenced by unique climatic conditions, its
geographical location, high population density and proximity to industrial zones. As part
of the ongoing efforts to address air pollution and its health impacts, the Ministry of Health
in Israel introduced an Inter-ministerial Forum on Air Quality, aimed at fostering
collaborative action across various ministries.
The Forum’s core operational focus is on enhancing information exchange between
ministries and regulators. This collaborative effort, led by the Ministry of Health and the
Ministry of Environmental Protection, addresses critical issues such as residential areas
near industrial zones, treatment facilities releasing harmful substances, and odors
alongside air pollution. The solutions being developed are complex but essential for
safeguarding public health.
page 6
Lithuania Highlights on best practices for hand hygiene and menstrual health in schools
On 5 September 2024, a conference on good practices in hand hygiene and menstrual
health in schools was held in Kaunas, Lithuania. Organized by the National Public Health
Centre under the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Lithuanian Sports University
and WHO ECEH, the event took place within the framework of the Protocol on Water and
Health.
During the conference, Lithuania presented key findings from a survey on menstrual
hygiene practices across the WHO European Region. The survey, involving countries like
Moldova, North Macedonia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Montenegro, highlighted the
importance of cross-sectoral collaboration between schools, parents, communities,
decision-makers and NGOs to improve menstrual hygiene management.
The results showed that while menstrual hygiene is recognized in many schools, it still
lacks sufficient attention and funding in some regions. Effective governance and legal
frameworks supporting menstrual health in schools were identified as crucial. Though
progress is slow, there is a growing commitment to provide menstrual health education,
distribute menstrual products, and reduce stigma. The results emphasized the continued
importance of promoting dignity and health for girls in schools.
Uzbekistan Progress on chemical safety and Poison Center development
Uzbekistan is making significant progress in establishing a robust national system for
sound chemicals management and aligning its priorities with the Budapest Declaration. In
June 2024, WHO CO in Uzbekistan organized a training on the Globally Harmonized
System (GHS) for classification and labeling of chemicals. The four-day training,
organized in cooperation with the WHO ECEH and United Nations Institute for Training
and Research, brought together national experts from diverse sectors including health,
environment, agriculture, emergency response and veterinary services. This event marked
a key milestone in equipping Uzbekistan’s first pool of GHS-trained experts, who are now
pivotal in advancing chemical safety and building a legal framework for the country.
Another important initiative in chemical safety is the establishment of a national Poison
Center, aimed at improving toxicological services, chemical emergency response and
poisonings prevention. Currently, a national assessment is underway, with a concept for
the Poison Center set to be presented to policymakers. This work underscores the
importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and leadership to ensure public health remains
a priority in chemical management.
10. As part of the session, the EHP Secretariat and stakeholders provided updates on their
recent activities (Table 2), outlining key developments, ongoing initiatives and future
priorities. The table below presents a few examples of regional activities discussed during
the session.
page 7
Table 2. Examples of regional activities presented by the EHP Secretariat and stakeholders’
representatives
Air quality Report and briefs on the personal-level actions to reduce air pollution
exposure in the WHO European Region: A comprehensive report has been
developed to summarize evidence and provide practical guidance on reducing
personal exposure to ambient air pollution in the WHO European Region.
Based on this report, a collection of briefs distills complex considerations into
clear, actionable recommendations. These include strategies for minimizing
time in polluted outdoor environments, guidance on physical activity, the use
of portable and central air cleaners, respirators, and face masks, as well as
recommendations on active transportation, optimal travel routes, driving styles,
and vehicle settings to mitigate exposure.
Upcoming second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health: The
Conference (25–27 March 2025, Cartagena, Colombia) will highlight
evidence-based, coordinated multi-sectoral solutions in cities, countries and
regions to prevent communicable and noncommunicable disease, save lives,
protect child health and limit climate change across the world. WHO
Headquarters has issued a circular invitation letter to all Member States. WHO
is developing a series of science-policy snapshots for the upcoming
Conference, providing concise, evidence-based insights on key issues. One
snapshot focuses on the regional perspective, drafted by WHO with feedback
from members of the Task Force on the Health Aspects of Air Pollution.
Additionally, WHO is actively engaged in work on transboundary cooperation,
contributing to discussions on cross-border environmental and health
challenges.
Project on the Health Risks of Air Pollution in Europe ̶ HRAPIE-2: WHO
ECEH together with advisers and members of the systematic review team meets
frequently to engage in discussion and reach consensus on the classification of
concentration–response functions (CRFs) for health risk assessment, as well as
the exposure ranges to which these CRFs would apply and other relevant
information. Discussion outcomes will inform a forthcoming technical report,
providing guidance on health impact assessments of air quality policies, incl.
which concentration-response functions to use, applicable exposure ranges,
background health data, and accounting for combined exposures to different air
pollutants.
Chemical safety Project on the elimination of mercury-containing medical devices: This
project aims to develop and implement nationwide strategies to phase out the
import, export, and manufacture of mercury-containing thermometers and
sphygmomanometers. Key actions include transforming procurement and
supply chains, promoting alternative devices, training medical staff,
demonstrating phasing out of the devices, raising public awareness, and
enhancing waste management practices. In the WHO European Region,
Albania and Montenegro are participating in this project.
page 8
Climate change and WHO Heat-Health Action Plan guidance: With support from the European
health Commission, WHO ECEH continues to update its Heat-Health Action Plan
guidance, originally published in 2008. The updated version, expected to be
published in spring 2026, will include eight actionable core elements, and
updated public health advice. In November 2024, WHO ECEH convened an
expert meeting with the lead authors of the guidance to review and refine the
structure and technical content of the eight core element chapters.
The 11th meeting of the working group on Health in Climate Change
(HIC) and REACH consultation: At the 11th annual HIC meeting on 29
October 2024, WHO ECEH shared updates on key developments, including
regional reports, heat and health progress, the intersection of mental health and
climate change, among other topics. A dedicated segment of the programme
focused on a special consultation for identifying regional research priorities
under the global Research Agenda for Action on Climate and Health (REACH).
Pan-European Commission on Climate Change and Health: WHO/Europe
will host a high-level hearing “Climate Change and Health: Shaping a Resilient
Future” in February 2025 to address regional challenges and guide future
actions under the second European Programme of Work. Later in 2025,
WHO/Europe plans to launch the independent commission will elevate the
political profile of climate and health.
Transatlantic Dialogues: In 2024, WHO/Europe, the Pan American Health
Organization, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched
the Transatlantic Initiative on Climate Change and Health, aimed at fostering
collaboration through policy dialogues. As part of this initiative, two
Transatlantic Dialogues have been convened. The first dialogue focused on
extreme heat and health (virtual), and the second one addressed health sector
governance for climate action (hybrid, organized as a part of a broader meeting
hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and
Consumer Protection and the National Public Health Institute).
COP29 engagement: WHO made a significant impact at COP29, promoting
health as the argument for climate action. WHO had a dedicated Health
Pavilion showcasing evidence and solutions to link health and climate action,
featuring a two-week programme. A highlight was the launch of the COP29
“Special Report on Climate Change and Health: Health is the Argument for
Climate Action”. WHO ECEH actively engaged at COP29 by co-organizing
two events – one on extreme heat and one sustainable cities – and by
participating in the high-level roundtable on One Health. The office also
engaged in several other events led by Spain (on the Protocol on Water and
Health), Italy (on nature-based solutions), Kyrgyzstan (on the mountain,
climate and health agenda) and Canada (on heat health).
page 9
Environmentally Collection of mental health interventions in the face of a changing climate:
sustainable health WHO ECEH started the collection of initiatives to identify and compile case
systems studies of interventions designed to protect and promote mental health in the
face of climate change. This effort shines a light on innovative approaches from
across the WHO European Region that address the growing mental health
challenges linked to climate impacts. The mapping of case studies will help to
document activities already underway in the WHO European Region, to
identify current gaps, and to promote further action. This information will feed
into a planned WHO policy brief on mental health and climate change. Meeting
participants were invited to submit case studies and to disseminate the call
within their professional networks.
Overview on safe, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health
care facilities: The report provides an overview and definitions of safe,
climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities; lists
concrete guidance on actions that can be taken to achieve them; and directs
readers to key materials, resources and tools for detailed guidance and actions.
Workshops on environmental sustainability in hospital management in
Romania: WHO ECEH supported the organization of two workshops (24–25
October 2024), contributing to the development and delivery of content focused
on promoting sustainable and climate-resilient healthcare. The first workshop
aimed to equip National Institute for Health Services Management (INMSS)
trainers with the necessary skills to promote sustainability within healthcare
settings. The second workshop provided practical insights from hospital
managers in the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal, sharing their experiences
in implementing sustainable practices in hospital operations. The events were
co-organized by the WHO Country Office in Romania, in partnership with the
Ministry of Health, the INMSS, and the NOVA School of Public Health
(Portugal).
Environmental noise Report on disability weights for noise-related health states in the WHO
European Region: The “European noise disability weights measurement
study”, on which this report is based, aimed to derive disability weights for
several environmental and non-environmental noise related health states using
standardized and comparable methods. A nationally representative sample
survey was administered in the general populations of four countries –
Hungary, Italy, Netherlands (Kingdom of the) and Sweden. This report is
building on expert work from the 2018 Environmental Noise Guidelines.
Nature and health Nature and health course: A four-week curriculum on nature and health is
being developed for the Bonn School for Environment and Health. The course,
to be launched in the last quarter of 2025, will cover ecosystem services, nature-
based solutions, One Health, and the relevance of nature to both environment
and health ministries.
Upcoming report on nature-based solutions and health: WHO ECEH will
launch a new report on nature-based solutions and health on 22 May 2025,
aligning with the International Day of Biological Diversity and the Budapest
Conference objectives. Member States were invited to express interest if they
wish to lead this event.
page 10
Environment and A fact sheet on air quality is under review, with future releases planned on
health inequality injuries and climate change. A regional report on climate change and inequality
is set for 2025.
One Health One Health approach implementation: The Adaptation Guide on the One
Health Approach was launched at the 74th session of the WHO Regional
Committee for Europe, summarizing key regional and global progress. In
November 2024, the Quadripartite (WHO, FAO, UNEP, WOAH) renewed its
commitment to regional One Health implementation.
Professional profiles Upcoming professional profiles report: WHO ECEH is analyzing
environmental sector changes over 25 years and defining necessary
competencies and skills, with completion expected by end of 2025.
Safe active mobility The 8th Bonn Dialogue on Environment and Health: WHO ECEH, in
partnership with the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European
Programme (THE PEP), convened ministers, deputy ministers, state
secretaries, European Commission representatives and high-level stakeholders
from cities, as well as representatives of nongovernmental organizations and
youth activists at the 8th Bonn Dialogue. Participants discussed the urgent need
for proactive implementation actions to integrate active mobility – walking and
cycling – into transport policies, spatial planning and urban design, and health
and climate strategies. The Dialogue concluded with the key takeaway
messages for policy-makers and stakeholders to intensify promotion of active
mobility in the WHO European Region and accelerate the implementation of
agreements, strategies and plans for cycling and walking.
For more activities, please see the paragraphs 11−13 that outline further work
implemented in partnership with THE PEP.
Sustainable Budapest Declaration and SDG indicators: The work is progressing on
Development Goals identifying more than 60 indicators for Budapest Declaration implementation,
categorized into five thematic chapters: environmental pollution, climate
change, nature, environmental services and built environment, and the
governance and multilateral collaboration. A consultation process will begin in
2025 to refine and select indicators before the next Ministerial Conference.
page 11
Water, sanitation Regional workshop and Task Force meeting in Budapest: In December
and hygiene 2024, two major events were held under the Protocol on Water and Health: the
Regional Workshop on Equitable Access to Water and Sanitation and the Task
Force Meeting on Target Setting and Reporting. During the workshop, the
Equitable Access Scorecard 2.0 was launched, emphasizing the need to
accelerate progress toward universal access to water and sanitation. The task
force meeting marked the start of the sixth Protocol reporting cycle, reflecting
on past achievements and gathering input for the Protocol programme of work
for 2026–2028.
New publications and data collection efforts: In the context of the Protocol,
WHO/Europe and UNECE recently published the report Strengthening climate
resilience in the drinking-water and sanitation sector, highlighting strategies to
build resilience in water and sanitation systems.
At the same time, two key data validation processes are in progress, supported
by WHO ECEH. The first focuses on SDG indicators 6.a and 6.b, collected
through the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and
Drinking-Water (GLAAS) mechanism, assessing governance, financing, and
climate resilience in WASH systems. The second involves the 2025
WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme estimates, with national
consultations underway to update data on WASH services in households (SDG
6.1.1, 6.2.1) and safely treated wastewater (SDG 6.3.1).
Support for WASH in healthcare facilities: WHO ECEH continues to assist
countries in strengthening WASH in healthcare facilities through the Practical
Steps Tracker, a tool that monitors progress toward a sustainable WASH
environment. This initiative also serves as a reporting mechanism for the UN
General Assembly resolution on “Sustainable, safe and universal water,
sanitation, hygiene, waste, and electricity services in health-care facilities”.
Enhancing water and sanitation resilience in Ukraine and preparing for
regional initiatives: In response to the ongoing war, WHO remains engaged in
supporting Ukraine’s water and health sectors preparedness, including through
a national consultation on water safety planning (12-13 March 2025).
Preparations are underway for key regional events: two sub-regional workshops
in Astana on safely managed sanitation and wastewater and environmental
surveillance respectively, a regional meeting on WASH in health care facilities
in Budapest (July 2025), and in-country training sessions on climate-resilient
water and sanitation services using risk-based tools such as water and sanitation
safety plans.
11. The UNECE representative informed that during the 22nd session of the Steering
Committee of THE PEP (28–30 October 2024, Geneva, Switzerland), over 20 Member
States convened to strengthen collaboration on sustainable mobility and health. Organized
jointly by WHO/Europe and UNECE, the session marked significant milestones, including
the adoption of the first-ever Pan-European Master Plan on Walking, a comprehensive
strategy on transport, health and environment for the pan-European region, and an
inspirational document on sustainable tourism mobility (please see Annex 3 to learn more
about these documents. In addition, a new WHO publication was launched: “Health
economic assessment tool (HEAT) for walking and cycling. Methods and user guide on
physical activity, air pollution, road fatalities and carbon impact assessments: 2024
update”.
page 12
12. THE PEP Partnership on Child- and Youth-friendly Mobility is preparing a document for
adoption in 2025, focusing on creating transportation systems that prioritize the needs of
children and young people. It aims to ensure that their voices are heard in urban planning
and mobility design, contributing to safer, more supportive environments for their
development.
13. The UN-Habitat representative informed the meeting about the recent World Urban Forum
held in Cairo, Egypt, in early November, which saw over 25,000 participants from 182
countries. There were 12 dedicated events focused on health, led by partners including
WHO. The Forum produced a call to action, which includes key areas for advancing urban
health in alignment with the Budapest Declaration.
14. The UNEP representative highlighted the convergence of three major COPs that took place
in the final months of 2024: Biodiversity COP16, Climate COP29, and Desertification
COP16. These events addressed key environmental issues with direct implications for
health and sustainable development. The representative emphasized that these COP
outcomes are highly relevant to strengthening national environment and health portfolios,
offering a pathway to enhance sustainable solutions, climate resilience and One Health
policies regionally and globally.
15. The European Environment and Health Youth Coalition representative emphasized the
critical role of young people in advancing the implementation of the Budapest
Commitment, highlighting their dual role as advocates and implementers of policies.
Notable examples of youth-led initiatives include advocacy campaigns, capacity-building
programmes, and the development of child- and youth-friendly policies. Looking ahead,
the youth representative urged Member States to further strengthen their commitment to
youth empowerment by providing opportunities for meaningful participation.
page 13
4. EHP Partnerships: key updates and developments
16. Participants were updated on the recent developments of the EHP Partnerships by the lead
countries (Table 3).
Table 3. Overview of activities implemented by the EHP Partnerships
Health Sector Recent activities:
Climate Action
• Expansion of the Partnership to Germany, Hungary, Israel and North
Macedonia.
• Terms of Reference were developed to guide Partnership’s operations.
• Strategic meetings were held in Bonn (May 2024) and Dublin
(September 2024). The meeting focused on innovative strategies for
decarbonizing transport within the health-care sector, with participants
exchanging insights and initiatives to drive emissions reductions.
• The EHP Partnership for Health Sector Climate Action hosted its first
Deep-Dive Solutions Exchange on Climate-Friendly Transport (5
November 2024), drawing over 100 participants from 35 countries.
Priorities for 2025:
The Partnership continues to focus on its core mission through Deep Dives,
with upcoming ones on Sub-national Health Sector Adaptation (April 2025),
and Greener Models of Healthcare (November 2025).
Human Recent activities:
Biomonitoring
• Since the EHTF meeting in Utrecht, two more countries−Ireland and
Czechia−have joined the Partnership, bringing the total number of
partners to 21.
• Over the summer, the programme of work was finalized, and three
working groups were established: communication, initiating HBM
studies, and interpreting HBM results.
• New publication on activities to facilitate national HBM programmes
is available here.
Priorities for 2025:
Key upcoming activities include the second annual meeting in February 2025,
in Belgrade, Serbia, where members will take stock in the progress of work,
discuss s and the next steps in the implementation of the work programme, with
the third annual meeting tentatively set for end of 2025.
Poisons Centres Recent activities:
• The Partnership held its kickoff meeting in June 2024 in Istanbul,
where the terms of reference and potential work areas were discussed.
• Currently, 16 countries have expressed interest in joining, with six
(Türkiye, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Malta, Spain, and Austria)
already formal members, alongside the European Association of
Poison Centers and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT).
page 14
Priorities for 2025:
An online meeting in early 2025 will further refine the terms of reference, and
an in-person session is planned at the EAPCCT Congress in Glasgow in May
2025 to strengthen collaboration.
Risk Reduction in Recent activities:
the School
• The first online meeting of the Partnership was hosted by the National
Environment
Center for Public Health and Pharmacy in November 2024.
Participants included Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, and
Montenegro, while Georgia and Moldova provided written input due
to other obligations. During the meeting, partners shared national
strategies, activities, legal frameworks, and responsible institutions,
setting the foundation for future collaboration and action.
• Since the latest EHTF meeting, the Partnership has welcomed four new
members: Belarus, Georgia, Luxembourg and Montenegro.
Priorities for 2025:
Key priorities include organizing an in-person workshop in the spring 2025,
facilitating knowledge exchange via TEAMS SharePoint, and expanding the
Partnership to new members.
Youth Recent activities:
• The 2nd International Youth Climate Summit, held on 6–7 December
2024 in Portorož, Slovenia, provided a platform for young leaders to
shape a collective declaration on global climate action, exchange ideas,
and advocate for climate and environmental health solutions.
• Following the Summit, the climate action hackathon, held on 7–8
December 2024 in Portorož, brought together youth teams to develop
innovative, real-world solutions to climate challenges. The event
fostered mentorship-driven collaboration, encouraged creative
problem-solving, and strengthened international connections among
young people working on climate action.
• Interest in the EHP Partnership on Youth continues to grow, with four
organizations and three Member States expressing their willingness to
join (process ongoing). The form for submissions of expressions of
interest is available here.
Priorities for 2025:
The Partnership will focus on expanding youth engagement and membership,
launching a campaign in early 2025 to attract new participants. Additionally, a
planning meeting will be organized to design activities for 2025–2026,
fostering collaboration and capacity building among members.
Healthy Active Recent activities:
Mobility
• Latest Partnership meeting took place in Ulm, Germany in November
2024.
• The new project initiative Active2Public Transport aims to enhance the
connection between active mobility and public transport in the Danube
region. This initiative will focus on integrating walking and cycling
with public transit systems, promoting sustainable and seamless
mobility solutions.
page 15
Priorities for 2025:
The upcoming work includes organizing a webinar to disseminate guidance
from the Pan-European Master Plan on Walking and holding partner meetings
in selected countries, with deep dives in Rotterdam (March 2025) and Tirana
(October 2025, to be confirmed). Efforts will focus on collaborating with UNEP
on the Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility, partnering with financial
institutions like the World Bank, for funding, and engaging with the public
transport sector, including participation in the UITP Summit in Hamburg.
Additionally, progress will be tracked in implementing actions across the pan-
European region, following the model of the Master Plan for Cycling
Promotion.
17. In 2024, the EHP Secretariat supported the Partnerships work. This included the
creation of virtual workspaces to serve as an internal platform for exchange and
cooperation for each EHP Partnership, along with an EHP Secretariat’s co-working
space containing joint documents and useful resources. To enhance visibility,
Partnership-specific banners were developed, and the promotional leaflets about the
EHP Partnerships were updated as of November 2024. Additionally, a web story was
published about the launch of two new EHP Partnerships focused on Poison Centers
and Risk Reduction in the School Environment. In 2025, a comprehensive
communication report on Partnerships’ work is set to be finalized ahead of the next
EHTF meeting. Key priorities also include updating promotional materials,
developing new communication assets such as videos and posters (subject to available
resources), and enhancing Partnership-specific web pages on the WHO website to
ensure clear, consistent and effective engagement with stakeholders.
5. Accelerating the implementation of the Programme of
Work of the EHTF in 2025
18. During this session, the Secretariat conducted a poll to learn from participants how they
see their institutions and countries benefiting from the EHTF in enhancing the
implementation of the Budapest commitments.
19. The responses highlighted key areas of support, including political commitment, financial
assistance, and raising awareness among stakeholders, particularly policymakers and
youth. Many emphasized the value of experience sharing, policy dialogues, and technical
assistance, especially in areas such as climate change, air quality, and chemicals
management. There were also calls for practical tools, capacity building, and
methodological support to strengthen national and subregional actions.
20. Additionally, respondents stressed the need for improved communication and engagement
strategies, including better cross-ministerial coordination, social media campaigns, and
targeted visits to successful projects. The importance of youth involvement, NGO support,
and financial justifications for environmental health investments was also highlighted as
critical to advancing the Budapest commitments.
21. The EHP Secretariat's communications representative updated the group on various
multimedia initiatives launched in 2024 to support the EHP work. Key efforts included
creating engaging video content, photo galleries, and social media posts, particularly
targeting youth. Ongoing communication products include flyer on Budapest
page 16
commitments, web stories, and the upcoming “Let’s get moving! 100 reasons to walk and
cycle more” campaign.
22. In addition to these, the Secretariat emphasized the importance of national and local events
documentation, to capture dynamic moments through smartphones and short interviews,
which could later on be used, e.g. for the EHP Newsletter. To enhance visibility, EHP
Secretariat encouraged participants leveraging social media, infographics and catchy
taglines, with a focus on human interest stories.
6. Preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the EHTF
23. EHP Secretariat presented the draft outline of the meeting agenda (ref. Presentation “S5 -
EHTF meeting agenda - EHP Secretariat”). Key agenda items include a follow-up on the
Budapest Conference, including the Bonn Dialogues; updates on EHP Partnerships;
support for Member States through policy dialogues, efforts to strengthen governance,
leadership and knowledge-sharing, and implementation of national portfolios; as well as
the election of the EHTF Bureau (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Initial outline of key discussion elements for the EHTF meeting agenda
24. The Bureau members supported the proposed agenda elements for the upcoming EHTF
meeting and planned to hold a follow-up consultation in early 2025 to further shape its
structure and content. The EHP Secretariat has invited EHTF members to submit
expressions of interest in hosting the EHTF meeting.
7. Strengthening governance, intersectoral collaboration and
knowledge for health and environment
25. The Bureau was briefed on the outcomes of the Executive Officers Meeting on Governance
and Capacities for Environment and Health (2−4 December 2024, Bonn, Germany). The
meeting provided a dynamic regional platform for peer exchange, fostering collaboration,
page 17
innovative solutions and long-term networks to accelerate forward the Budapest
commitments implementation.
26. The meeting brought together representatives from 28 countries, with 48 foreign nominees
in attendance. Approximately 25% of participants were from Ministries of Environment,
while 75% represented Ministries of Health. UNEP and UNECE actively contributed to
the discussions, along with expert speakers from the International Union for Conservation
of Nature, Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region, International
Association of National Public Health Institutes, the European Investment Bank and
various research institutions and government bodies. Their contributions provided valuable
insights, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative and cross-sectoral approach in
addressing governance and capacity.
27. Supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation,
Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection, the meeting focused on advancing policy
implementation in response to the triple crisis (climate change, environmental pollution
and biodiversity loss) while addressing governance, resources, communication and
knowledge-sharing. Discussions explored:
• Governance and leadership: Strengthening institutional structures, intersectoral
collaboration, and policy integration.
• Resources: Enhancing workforce competencies, financial strategies and investment
opportunities.
• Knowledge transfer, communication and advocacy: Translating research into
policy, improving strategic communication and tackling misinformation.
28. To support discussions, WHO ECEH developed seven background documents, along with
a briefing note summarizing these materials. This comprehensive package was shared with
all meeting participants as well as with the EHTF, ensuring broad access to the key insights
and evidence needed for informed decision-making. A summary of key messages and case
studies will be published in 2025.
29. This meeting marked a significant step toward strengthening governance and capacities for
environment and health, reinforcing the need for sustained collaboration and innovative
approaches in tackling regional challenges.
8. Update on the forthcoming Bureau elections
30. The EHP Secretariat provided an update on the forthcoming Bureau elections according to
the EHTF Rules of Procedure. The Bureau composition to be elected at the upcoming
EHTF meeting is expected to consist of 8–14 Member States, including the Chair, Co-
Chair, and immediate past Chair; EHP recognized stakeholders (UNECE, UNEP and 2
other stakeholders); and representative from youth organizations.
31. Meeting participants were reminded that Bureau elections are held every two years.
Current members may seek re-election, and the process will consider the balance between
the environment and health sectors, as well as geographical and gender representation.
32. The call for nominations for the EHTF Bureau will be sent no later than six weeks before
the meeting, with an invitation to submit candidatures three weeks in advance (Figure 2).
The list of nominations received will be shared with the EHTF one week prior to the
meeting.
page 18
Figure 2. EHTF Bureau elections timeline
9. Summary of decisions and next steps
33. The Bureau members expressed their agreement with the proposed elements of the draft
agenda for the upcoming EHTF meeting. They also decided to convene for a Bureau
consultation in early 2025 to further discuss and refine the development of the EHTF
agenda.
34. The host country for the EHTF meeting has yet to be confirmed, and the EHP Secretariat
has invited expressions of interest from EHTF members to host the meeting.
35. In the spring of 2025, the EHP Secretariat will launch a call for expressions of interest to
serve in the EHTF Bureau and will work on updating and expanding the list of EHP
stakeholders.
36. The Chair closed the meeting, thanking participants for their active participation and
valuable contributions, and the Secretariat for the meticulous preparation of the meeting.
page 19
Annex 1. List of participants
Members of the EHTF Bureau
Armenia
Nune Bakunts E-mail:
[email protected]
Deputy Director General
National Centre of Disease Control and Prevention
Ministry of Health
Yerevan
Georgia
Maia Javakhishvili E-mail:
[email protected]
Deputy Head of Environment and Climate Change
Department, Ministry of Environmental Protection
and Agriculture of Georgia
Tbilisi
Germany
Barbara Werschkun E-mail:
[email protected]
Policy Officer
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer
Protection
Berlin
Hungary
Tamas Pandics E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Department
National Public Health Center
Budapest
Israel
Isabella Karakis E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Environmental Epidemiology Department
Ministry of Health
Jerusalem
Italy
Alessandra Fidanza E-mail:
[email protected]
Senior Expert
Ministry of Environment and Energy Security
Rome
page 20
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Brigit Staatsen - EHTF Chair E-mail:
[email protected]
Senior Researcher, Healthy Living Environment
National Institute of Public Health and the
Environment (RIVM)
Bilthoven
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Raquel Duarte-Davidson - EHTF co-Chair E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Department, Chemicals and Environmental
Effects
UK Health Security Agency
Oxford
Stakeholders
European Environment and Health Youth Coalition (EEHYC)
António Marques Pinto E-mail:
[email protected]
President
EEHYC
Porto, Portugal
Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
Génon K. Jensen E-mail:
[email protected]
Executive Director
HEAL
Brussels, Belgium
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Nicholas Bonvoison E-mail:
[email protected]
Chief, Operational Activities and Review Section
UNECE
Geneva, Switzerland
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
Wondwosen Kibret E-mail:
[email protected]
Policy and Partnerships Coordinator
UNEP
Geneva, Switzerland
EHP Focal Points
Austria
Matthias Knopper E-mail:
[email protected]
Deputy Head of Department
Ministry of Health
Vienna
page 21
Belarus
Tanya Pronina E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of International Scientific and Technical
cooperation Department
Research Institute of Hygiene, Toxicology,
Epidemiology, Virology and Microbiology
Minsk
Belgium
Bram Lefever E-mail:
[email protected]
Coordinator NEHAP
FPS Public Health & Environment
Brussels
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mirha Ošijan E-mail:
[email protected]
Expert Advisor for Coordination in the Field of
Addiction and Other Environmental Impacts on
Human Health, Department of Health
Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo
Bulgaria
Pavlina Tsenova E-mail:
[email protected]
Chief Expert
Ministry of Health
Sofia
Croatia
Pavle Jelicic E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Environmental Health Division
Croatian Institute of Public Health
Zagreb
Cyprus
Maria Christofidou E-mail:
[email protected]
Chemist
State General Laboratory
Ministry of Health
Nicosia
Czech Republic
Vojtěch Balcar E-mail:
[email protected]
Member of the Department of International Affairs
Ministry of Health
Prague
Pavel Hlavacek E-mail:
[email protected]
Ministerial Advisor
Ministry of the Environment
Prague
page 22
Finland
Mikko Paunio E-mail:
[email protected]
Medical Counselor
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Helsinki
France
Caroline Paul E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Unit Outdoor Environment and Chemicals
Ministry of Health
Paris
Jean Berenguier E-mail:
[email protected]
Policy officer in charge of Eu affairs
Ministry of Health
Paris
Roxane Berjaoui E-mail:
[email protected]
International Expert Advisor Md Public Health
Ministry of Health
Paris
Greece
Fofo Kalyva E-mail:
[email protected]
Secretary General for Public Health
Ministry of Health
Athens
Iceland
Sigrún Þóra Sveinsdóttir E-mail:
[email protected]
Specialist
Ministry of Health
Reykjavik
Ireland
Coline Ohehir E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Climate Change Unit
Department of Health
Dublin
Israel
Orna Zatzner E-mail:
[email protected]
Senior manager Science and Research
Ministry of Environmental Protection
Jerusalem
page 23
Lithuania
Ingrida Skridailiene E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Public Health Safety Department
National Public Health Centre under MoH
Vilnius
Mintarė Jurgilaitė E-mail:
[email protected]
Environmental Health Chief Specialist
Institute of Hygiene
Vilnius
Luxembourg
Laurence Wurth E-mail:
[email protected]
Environmental Health Lead
Ministry/Directorate of health Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Charles Betz E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of International Relations
Direction de la Santé
Luxembourg
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Lennart Trouborst E-mail:
[email protected]
Policy Advisor
Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
The Hague
Michiel Hoorweg E-mail:
[email protected]
Coordinator
Ministry of Health
The Hague
Teun Zeegers E-mail:
[email protected]
Policy officer
Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
The Hague
Miriam Weber E-mail:
[email protected]
Senior Policy Advisor
City of Utrecht
Utrecht
Norway
Anders Tysse E-mail:
[email protected]
Senior Adviser
Ministry of Health and Care Services
Oslo
Romania
Silvia Teodorescu E-mail:
[email protected]
Chief Physician of the Environmental
Hygiene Section
National Institute of Public Health
Bucharest
page 24
Serbia
Branislava Matić Savićević E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Environmental Health and School Hygiene
Department
Institute of Public Health of Serbia
Belgrade
Slovenia
Nataša Hočevar E-mail:
[email protected]
Secretary
Ministry of Health
Ljubljana
Spain
Marian Mendoza García E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of the Service for Environmental Risks
Ministry of Health
Madrid
Marina Morales E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
Ministry of Health
Madrid
Sweden
Karin Norström E-mail:
[email protected]
Scientific Advisor
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
Stockholm
Türkiye
Sena Ergun E-mail:
[email protected]
Environmental Engineer MSc
Ministry of Health
Ankara
Turkmenistan
Annamurat Nazarov E-mail:
[email protected]
Main specialist
Ministry of Health and Medical Industry
Ashgabat
Ukraine
Zaika Oleksandr E-mail:
[email protected]
EPI Manager
Ministry of Health
Kyiv
page 25
Temporary Adviser
Robert Thaler E-mail:
[email protected]
Senior Sustainable Active Mobility Advisor,
Speaker, Moderator, Initiator
DI Robert Thaler eU
Vienna, Austria
Stakeholders
European Commission (EC)
Dimitrios Sarikizoglou E-mail:
[email protected]
Policy Analyst
EC-Directorate-General for Health and Food
Safety
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
International Youth Health Organization (YHO)
Ajda Stepišnik E-mail:
[email protected]
Project Associate
International Youth Health Organization (YHO)
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Katja Čič E-mail:
[email protected]
Programme Director
YHO
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Regional Environmental Center (REC) former
Eva Csobod E-mail:
[email protected]
Senior Expert of Environment and Health
REC
Budapest, Hungary
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
Graham Alabaster E-mail:
[email protected]
Chief Geneva Office
UN-Habitat
Geneva, Switzerland
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Philip Baumann E-mail:
[email protected]
ICT Specialist
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Matthias Braubach E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
page 26
Dorota Jarosinska E-mail:
[email protected]
Programme Manager, Living and Working
Environments
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Jovana Dodos Jovanovic E-mail:
[email protected]
Consultant
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Jangwon Lee E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Edith Kimotho E-mail:
[email protected]
Programme Assistant
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Nicole Klaesener-Metzner E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Mareike Kroll E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Jeren Myratdurdyyeva E-mail:
[email protected]
National Professional Officer
WHO Country Office, Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Sinaia Netanyahu E-mail:
[email protected]
Programme Manager, Environment and Health
Impact Assessment
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Mariana Nissen E-mail:
[email protected]
Consultant
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
page 27
Julia Nowacki E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Francesca Racioppi E-mail:
[email protected]
Head of Office
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Dovile Rimke
Consultant E-mail:
[email protected]
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Didora Sekler E-mail:
[email protected]
Public Health Officer
WHO Country Office, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Nino Sharashidze
Programme Manager, Multisectoral E-mail:
[email protected]
Partnerships for Environment and Health
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Wendy Williams E-mail:
[email protected]
Programme Assistant
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Marisol Yglesias E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
Irina Zastenskaya E-mail:
[email protected]
Technical Officer
WHO Regional Office for Europe
European Centre for Environment and Health
Bonn, Germany
page 28
Annex 2. Provisional programme
10:00–10:10 Session 1 – Opening, adoption of the agenda
The Bureau is invited to adopt the agenda and the programme of the meeting.
Relevant documents:
EURO/EHTFB13/1 List of documents
EURO/EHTFB13/2 Scope and purpose
EURO/EHTFB13/3 Provisional agenda
EURO/EHTFB13/4 Provisional programme
10:10–11:00 Session 2 – On the road to implementing the Budapest commitments:
progress, opportunities and lessons learned
Participants will be provided with examples of the implementation of the Budapest commitments by
Member States, stakeholders, and EHP Secretariat in an interview format.
Relevant documents:
EURO/EHTFB13/6 Programme of work for the EHTF for 2024–2025
EURO/EHTFB13/7 Draft report of the fourteenth meeting of the EHTF (Utrecht, 26–27 June 2024)
EURO/EHTFB13/8 EHP Newsletter, April–June 2024
11:00–11:15 Break
11:15–12:00 Session 3 – EHP Partnerships: key updates and developments
EHTF Bureau will be updated on the recent developments of the EHP Partnerships by the lead countries,
organizations and EHP Secretariat.
Relevant document:
EURO/EHTFB13/9 Promotional leaflets on the EHP Partnerships
12:00–12:20 Session 4 – Ideastorm: Opportunities to accelerate the implementation
of the Programme of Work for the EHTF in 2025
This session focuses on generating actionable insights to support the EHTF in advancing the
implementation of its Programme of Work by strengthening governance, partnerships, optimizing
resources and enhancing knowledge and tools for the Budapest commitments implementation.
12:20–12:35 Session 5 – Preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the EHTF
In this session aimed at preparing for the next EHTF meeting, the EHTF Bureau will discuss provisional
proposals for the host country, agenda and sessions’ structure.
12:35–12:50 Session 6 – Strengthening governance, intersectoral collaboration, and
knowledge for health and environment
Meeting participants will be informed on the main outcomes of the Executive Officers Meeting on
Governance and Capacities for Environment and Health (2−4 December 2024, Bonn, Germany).
12:50–12:55 Session 7 – Update on the forthcoming Bureau elections according to the
EHTF Rules of Procedure
In this session, the EHP Secretariat will provide information about the upcoming elections for the
EHTF Bureau's next term.
Relevant document:
EURO/EHTFB13/10 EHTF Rules of Procedure
12:55–13:00 Session 8 – Any other business, summary of decisions, next steps and
closure of meeting
page 29
Annex 3. Materials shared in the chat
The materials, shared by meeting participants, have been extracted from the chat and are listed below.
Publications
Personal-level actions to reduce air pollution exposure in the WHO
European Region
This report summarizes evidence and information and formulates practical
advice on personal-level actions to reduce exposure to ambient air pollution.
It covers personal actions such as reducing the amount of time spent in
polluted outdoor environments, adjusting the location and timing of physical
activity, using air cleaners, wearing face coverings, and mobility options
(transport, active transportation, routes, driving style and vehicle settings).
Disability weights for noise-related health states in the WHO European
Region
The “European noise disability weights measurement study”, on which this
report is based, aimed to derive disability weights for several environmental
and non-environmental noise related health states using standardized and
comparable methods. A nationally representative sample survey was
administered in the general populations of four countries – Hungary, Italy,
Netherlands (Kingdom of the) and Sweden.
The Equitable Access Score-card 2.0 Shaping water and sanitation policies
to achieve the human rights to water and sanitation
The Equitable Access Score-card 2.0, featured in this publication, is an
analytical tool designed to help governments and other stakeholders
establish a baseline measure of the equity of access to water and sanitation,
identify related priorities, evaluate progress through a process of self-
assessment, and discuss further actions to be taken. The publication contains
recommendations on planning the self-assessment and concrete examples
of the benefits of using the Score-card 2.0 in different settings.
Strengthening climate resilience in the drinking-water and sanitation
sector through the Protocol on Water and Health
This report aims to support climate work under the Protocol on Water and
Health, providing strategic insight into its potential role in addressing the
climate crisis, including through supporting development of targets and
action plans at the national and subnational levels. This report explores key
considerations for water and sanitation providers and regulators in
addressing resilience and net zero, outlines actionable options and climate-
related links, and identifies future opportunities under the Protocol.
page 30
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
The tenth revised edition of the GHS includes updates on the classification
procedure for desensitized explosives; the adoption of non-animal testing
methods for classifying health hazards, particularly skin corrosion/irritation,
serious eye damage/irritation, and respiratory or skin sensitization;
enhanced precautionary statements to improve user comprehension while
supporting practical labeling; and a review of annexes 9 and 10 to align
classification strategies, guidance, and tools for metals and metal
compounds with long-term aquatic toxicity provisions.
Adaptation guide on the One Health approach for the WHO European
Region
This guide underscores the critical need for collaborative efforts and
innovative, people-centred and evidence-informed approaches to address
complex health challenges comprehensively and effectively. These actions
should not only address immediate concerns but also aim to bring about
long-lasting, fundamental and positive transformations in how health
challenges are understood, managed and prevented.
Key takeaway messages from the Eighth Bonn Dialogue on Environment
and Health
The key takeaways from the Dialogue on Safe Active Mobility provide policy-
makers and stakeholders with valuable insights to further promote active
mobility across the European Region. They aim to accelerate the
implementation of agreements, strategies, and plans for cycling and walking.
Manifesto for the post of Regional Director of the European Region of the
World Health Organization 2025-2030
This publication presents a vision statement shaped by the questions raised
during and after my hearing at the virtual forum with the Regional Evaluation
Group and all WHO European Member States on 19 June 2024, as part of the
Regional Director nomination process.
Sustainable tourism mobility: Inspiration for the countries of the pan-
European Region
This document provides practical insights and recommendations for fostering
sustainable mobility behavior in response to contemporary challenges. Unlike
existing manuals or toolboxes, this guidance targets responsible national
authorities from the tourism and transport sectors.
page 31
“The Heartbeat of the City” – A UN-Habitat call for action to shape
healthier urban futures
The document, presented at the World Urban Forum (4–8 November 2024,
Cairo, Egypt) outlines a transformative vision for healthier, more inclusive
cities by prioritizing housing as a human right, integrating nature and
biodiversity into urban planning, fostering community well-being through
people-centered design, and championing data-driven health policies.
Policy documents
Pan-European Master Plan on Walking
This document introduces the first-ever pan-European Master Plan on
Walking, adopted by the THE PEP Steering Committee during its 22nd session
(28–30 October 2024). Rooted in the Vienna Declaration, the Master Plan
emphasizes walking as a priority in mobility policies due to its wide-ranging
benefits for health, the environment, local economies, and social
inclusiveness
Pan-European Strategy on Transport, Health and Environment
The strategy, adopted at the 22nd session of the Steering Committee of the
THE PEP, lays out a road map for the transformation of transport systems by
2050, promoting sustainable urban mobility, cleaner technologies and
climate resilience.
Decision adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity
By this decision, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention of the
Biodiversity, adopted the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health,
available in annex I of this decision, as a voluntary plan for supporting the
implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
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