Belgian physician re-appointed regional director of WHO Europe
Belgian physician Hans Kluge has been appointed by the member states of the European Region of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as regional director for Europe for a second five-year term. The term will begin in February 2025, after his formal election by the WHO executive board, the WHO announced on Wednesday.
During the 74th meeting of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen, Dr Kluge expressed his gratitude. "It has been the honour of my life to serve as WHO regional director for Europe, and I am truly grateful and humbled for the overwhelming support for my appointment," he said.
In the coming years, the organisation will look to "build on the many successes of the past five years, including our work on pandemic preparedness and health systems strengthening, mental health, digital health and vaccination", he said.
WHO Europe will expand its priorities to include strengthening national health security, addressing the health impacts of the climate crisis, taking action against antimicrobial resistance and promoting healthy ageing in rapidly changing demography.
"It has been the honour of my life to serve as WHO regional director for Europe"
There will also be a renewed focus on women, girls and young people, including addressing the harmful impact on sexual and reproductive health.
The meeting also saw the presentation of WHO Europe’s new regional strategy and action plan for preparedness, response and resilience to health emergencies for the next five years.
“We have an opportunity to take the lessons from Covid-19 and other health emergencies and apply them in a strategic, ambitious, yet practical way to ensure we are better prepared for whatever happens,” Kluge said.
Dr Hans Kluge © PHOTO KAREN MINASYAN / AFP
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