A well-supported and empowered health workforce is the foundation of health security — in every country, large or small. And small countries are showing meaningful ways to tackle workforce shortages, including through cooperation and innovation. Honoured to sign, together with 🇱🇻Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri, the outcome statement of the 12th High-level Meeting of the Small Countries Initiative in Riga. My sincere thanks to Latvia for hosting, and to all Small Countries Initiative Member States for co-creating a statement that speaks not only to small countries, but to the whole WHO European Region. The statement calls for action that keeps health and care workers at the centre: planning better, supporting their mental health and well-being, using digital tools responsibly, and managing mobility in a way that strengthens health systems. WHO/Europe will continue supporting small countries as agile innovators in building resilient, sustainable health systems.