ECDC experts at WHO/EURO for annual programming meeting
ECDC’s director and experts from across the Agency attended the ECDC-WHO/Europe Programmes’ Coordination Annual Meeting in Copenhagen.
They discussed tackling shared health challenges and leveraging our strengths to fight for better public health in Europe.
Convened in-person for the first time since the pandemic and since ECDC’s strengthened mandate came into force, the two-day meeting gave ECDC and WHO/EURO the opportunity to share their visions and priorities for the next few years and identify areas where cooperation could be strengthened.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, ECDC’s director said:
In delivering to protect public health in Europe there is no alternative but working together. In doing so, ECDC and WHO/EURO can maximise our impact and tackle the health threats we face and build a safer, healthier and better prepared continent.
In advance of the official meeting, ECDC’s director had a bilateral meeting with Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe to discuss their shared priorities and establishing robust frameworks for future collaboration including a planned Memorandum of Understanding and co-publishing agreement.
ECDC experts joined their WHO/EURO colleagues to discuss improving data sharing and surveillance activities, system interoperability, country support missions, preparedness, prevention, social and behavioural science, infodemic management and communication.
Since its founding 20 years ago, ECDC has worked closely with WHO Euro in a wide variety of areas including communicable diseases surveillance, risk assessment, prevention and control and health emergencies.
