WONCA Europe showcased its deep influence on regional health policy by co-signing an unprecedented six critical joint statements at the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC75), that took place in Copenhagen, Denmark – October 28-30, 2025
WONCA Europe was officially represented by Dr. José M. Bueno-Ortiz, Executive Board Member-at-Large, ensuring the principles of robust primary care, equity, and sustainability were integrated across the region's future health strategy.
🏛️ About the RC75 Assembly: Uniting for the Second European Programme of Work (EPW2)
The 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC75) brought together health ministers and high-level delegates from all 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, alongside partner organizations and civil society, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The central, landmark decision of the assembly was the unanimous adoption of the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2). The RC75 provided the critical forum for non-State actors, including WONCA Europe, to directly inform the implementation strategies for the EPW2, ensuring that the voice of General Practice is central to policy-making at the highest level.
📜 WONCA Europe's Six Critical Joint Statements at RC75
WONCA Europe's extensive advocacy spanned the entire life course and included specific policy demands for major health drivers under the EPW2 framework. The order has been maintained with the General EPW2 statement placed first:
|
# |
Agenda Item / EPW2 Priority |
Statement Focus |
Key Primary Care Message & Demand |
Select Co-Signatories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Second European Programme of Work (EPW2) |
Joint Statement on the European Programme of Work 2 (General Support) |
We welcomed the EPW2's focus on security, solidarity, sustainability, and trust, supporting the inclusion of Primary Health Care for the Future as a special initiative, and calling for structural support for civil society engagement. |
EPHA, EUPHA, EFN, EFPC, EuroHealthNet, and others. |
|
2 |
EPW2 - Alcohol |
Joint Statement on Alcohol Policy and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) |
Called to extend the Framework to 2030 and implement WHO-recommended, evidence-based population measures (e.g., minimum unit pricing, marketing bans, and taxation) to curb alcohol's role as a leading risk factor for preventable NCDs. Reaffirmed the call to prioritise alcohol policies within the cancer/NCD agenda, and strengthen monitoring and accountability. |
European Cancer Organisation (ECO), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), CPME, EFAD, and others. |
|
3 |
A Healthy Start for a Healthy Life: Child and Adolescent Health Strategy |
Joint Statement on Child & Adolescent Health: Social Inequalities and Health Promoting Schools |
Advocating for placing social inequalities in health at the core of the new strategy and calling to scale up the Health Promoting Schools model—a process where primary care has a key community role. |
EuroHealthNet, European Respiratory Society (ERS), EFAD, and others. |
|
4 |
A Healthy Start for a Healthy Life: Child and Adolescent Health Strategy |
Joint Statement on Child & Adolescent Health: Youth Participation, Mental Health, and Climate Impact |
Urging action to integrate comprehensive mental health, climate-resilient health services, and preventive care into primary health care packages; and ensure meaningful youth participation in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of all health policies. |
International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), EFPC, EFAD, and others. |
|
5 |
Harnessing innovation for public health in the WHO European Region 2025–2030 |
Joint Statement on Innovation & Digital Literacy |
We urged Member States to Train health professionals in digital and AI literacy to use these tools responsibly. Innovation must be ethical, human-centered, and sustainable, never substituting for personal, accessible care. |
IFMSA, EFAD, EFPC, and ENSA. |
|
6 |
Development of the "Ageing is Living" Strategy (2 Statements) |
Joint Statements on Ageing is Living: Promoting a Lifetime of Health and Well-being |
We demanded health and care systems be transformed with timely primary care, re-ablement, and rehabilitation at their foundation, investing in prevention throughout life, and actively tackling ageism and social exclusion. |
EuroHealthNet, AGE Platform Europe, EFN, EPHA, ERS, NCD Alliance, and others. |
📈 Advocacy Success: PHC is the Core Enabler of EPW2
These six areas of advocacy collectively underscore WONCA Europe’s central argument: Primary Health Care (PHC) is the indispensable foundation and core enabler for achieving the goals of the EPW2.
By co-signing these high-level statements, WONCA Europe, through the direct representation of Dr. Bueno-Ortiz, successfully ensured that the expertise of General Practitioners and Family Physicians will directly inform policy-making at the highest level of European health governance.
The video RC75: Address by and report of the WHO Regional Director for Europe provides the official address from the WHO Regional Director, Dr. Hans Kluge, reporting on the work that culminated in the decisions made at the RC75 session discussed in this news item.