The #tobacco and #nicotine industry deliberately targets children and adolescents through influencer marketing, sponsorship of music festivals and other events, and the promotion of sweet flavours. #Youth are at risk. Stop making nicotine appealing. #TobaccoExposed #WNTD2026

Earthquakes strike without warning, but preparedness saves lives. 📆 On 1–2 July 2026, WHO/Europe and the Government of Türkiye🇹🇷 will convene a Ministerial Conference in Istanbul to strengthen #HealthSecurity and ensure health systems are prepared for disasters. #Preparedness

In Berlin, I had a valuable exchange with Prof. Hendrik Streeck, Member of the German Bundestag and Federal Government Commissioner on Addiction and Drug Issues. We discussed how @WHO can keep rebuilding trust and demonstrating relevance in a changing world: through technical excellence, political neutrality and stronger engagement beyond traditional circles. This also matters for national health policy – including how we protect young people from the surge in nicotine use, driven by new tobacco products that lure teenagers into addiction through flavours, digital marketing, easy availability and low prices. Grateful for Prof. Streeck’s perspective as a leading virologist now serving in politics, and for our shared interest in WHO as a unifying force in a fragmented global health architecture.

When #nicotine products resemble sweets, gadgets or lifestyle accessories, that is not accidental design; it is a strategy to attract and retain users. #TobaccoExposed #WNTD2026 @myESMO @EuroRespSoc @PartnershipFree @rivm @tobaccofreekids @enspbrussels @CNPT_E @Le_Cnct @AshOrgUK

This is what heat-health action can look like in everyday life. After launching WHO’s new Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance in Berlin, I saw this public drinking water fountain - a simple but important measure that helps people stay safe during hot days. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, practical actions matter: easier access to drinking water, shaded spaces and cooling centres. Heat is a silent killer. But with the right planning, cities can protect people and save lives. The Guidance is available here: who.int/europe/publications/…

The new Guidance helps authorities anticipate, prepare for and respond to extreme heat – from early warning systems and risk communication to cooling spaces, support for older people and those most at risk, and better preparedness in health and care services. Our ambition is bold: zero heat-related deaths. We have the knowledge. We have the roadmap. Together, we can achieve it. Grateful to Germany for hosting today’s launch and for its continued support to the WHO European Centre for Environment, Climate Change and Health in Bonn, which led this important work. I also thank 🇪🇺 Commissioner Hoekstra and his Directorate-General for Climate Action for providing funding for this vital work. The Guidance is available here: who.int/europe/publications/… 2/2

Today in Berlin, we launched WHO’s new Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance – a practical roadmap to help countries, regions and cities protect people from extreme heat. I was pleased to launch it together with 🇩🇪Federal Environment Minister @schneidercar and Berlin Senator Dr Ina Czyborra, as well as 🇪🇺 Commissioner @WBHoekstra and @UN Assistant Secretary-General @SelwinHart, who joined us online. Europe is warming faster than any other continent. More than 200,000 people across the Region have died from heat in just the past 4 years. We can prevent these deaths with the right systems in place. The Guidance is available here: who.int/europe/publications/… 1/2

With the Football World Cup beginning in Canada, Mexico and the United States, I have issued a statement to reassure fans that the Ebola risk remains low. There are no Ebola cases in the host countries or in the European Region, and there is no reason to change travel plans. Enjoy the tournament, stay informed, and seek medical care if you feel unwell after recent travel to affected areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda. We must also reject stigma. The spread of Ebola is not determined by nationality or ethnicity. Stigma can stop people from seeking care and make outbreaks harder to control. Read my full statement: who.int/europe/news/item/11-… @WHO | @WHO_Europe | @IhorPerehinets | @FIFAcom | @FIFAWorldCup | @fifamedia

Today, we brought together leaders of medical specialty associations from the European Region to explore how we can work together in new and more impactful ways. The potential is enormous. Specialty associations bring deep clinical expertise, trusted professional networks and a direct understanding of patients’ needs and health system realities. @WHO brings a public health mandate, a whole-of-health-system perspective, close work with governments and the convening power to connect partners. By combining these strengths, we can better support countries and improve health outcomes across the Region. The meeting culminated in the signing of a joint statement proposing closer collaboration with associations in addressing the health workforce crisis, strengthening prevention and health promotion, using digital tools and AI responsibly, preparing health systems for future threats, and advancing climate action for health. This is the kind of partnership at the heart of our Second European Programme of Work: working differently, with stronger alliances, to deliver greater impact for people. @UEMSEurope | @EASLnews | @EPHA_EU | @EuroRespSoc | @escardio | @ESEndocrinology | @IDFEuropeBXL | @FIGOHQ | @EBCOG_EU | @WoncaEurope | @WHO_Europe

Tomorrow, 11 June at 08:00 CEST, WHO/Europe Regional Director @hans_kluge together with @_BMUKN will be launching the new WHO Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance: systematic, evidence-based guidance to protect health from extreme heat. More info & register: bit.ly/4ewzKd0

Innovation in medicines without access cannot fulfil its promise. Access without innovation cannot meet future needs. We need both. This was my key message today as I welcomed partners to the Access to Novel Medicines Platform (NMP) Stakeholder Meeting at UN City in Copenhagen. Endorsed by all WHO/Europe Member States, the NMP has become a unique space for trust, solidarity and practical cooperation. This progress has been possible because Member States and partners have invested leadership, expertise and trust. But looking ahead, we need sustained support. If we believe that collaborative approaches are part of the solution to access challenges, then we must be prepared to continue investing in them. My sincere thanks to all those contributing to the Platform, and especially to the Austrian National Public Health Institute, GÖG, for its generous support to the Platform and its Secretariat. One concrete outcome of this work is a new WHO/Europe policy framework on managed entry agreements. It can help countries navigate difficult decisions on high-cost medicines while keeping access, transparency and sustainability in focus: bit.ly/4vcrh4w

I welcome Pope Leo XIV’s powerful call in Barcelona for public health systems to give greater attention to mental health and violence against women. Indeed, no society can call itself healthy if people are left without support for mental distress or protection from violence. Across the WHO European Region, 1 in 6 people live with a mental health condition, and over 120,000 people die by suicide each year - more than 300 every day. Nearly 1 in 3 women and girls aged 15 and older will experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. This is why mental health and the health sector response to violence against women and girls are central to WHO/Europe’s new European Programme of Work - #EPW2. Through this work, WHO/Europe will support countries to act earlier - preventing mental distress where possible, improving access to care when people need it, and ensuring that violence against women and girls is met with protection, support and compassion. @Pontifex | @VaticanNews | @HolySeePress | @EWTNVatican | @Synod_va | @vaticanlibrary | @PontAcadLife | @HolySeeGeneva france24.com/en/europe/20260…

#Nicotine pouches are engineered for addiction. ➡️ Flavoured and attractive, designed to hook young people WHO is calling on everyone to act. Read WHO’s Global Nicotine Pouch Report. 👉 bit.ly/4ddQw07 #WorldNoTobaccoDay 🚭 #TobaccoExposed #WNTD2026

Countries must act decisively to prevent uptake of #nicotine and #tobacco products, and counter nicotine addiction through stronger regulation. Reducing the appeal of these products is essential to protecting current and future generations. #WNTD2026 #TobaccoExposed

A stronger health response to violence against women and girls means equipping health workers with the tools, training and evidence they need to respond consistently and compassionately.   Today, I had an encouraging exchange on how to advance this work with Professor Frank Louwen, President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and Dr Sambit Mukhopadhyay, President of the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) and FIGO Trustee for Europe.   We discussed how WHO/Europe, FIGO and EBCOG can work together to move from guidance to implementation – supporting countries through practical tools, training, field testing and stronger evidence.   This collaboration is closely aligned with my Special Initiative to strengthen the health sector response to violence against women and girls across the WHO European Region.   By aligning WHO’s normative guidance with FIGO and EBCOG’s clinical and professional networks, we can reach health workers at scale and strengthen integrated, survivor-centred care.

Had a valuable exchange with Jonas Egebart, Director General of the Danish Health Authority, on the global health architecture and our efforts to reshape @WHO_Europe - making it stronger, more agile, politically neutral & indispensable partner for all Member States. I thanked Denmark for its continued support to @WHO and for being the main European donor for noncommunicable disease prevention and control, and for hosting our Regional Office in Copenhagen — where our normative work remains a vital strength. We also discussed Denmark’s health reform, including the shift towards stronger local, primary, digital and home-based care, and I commended 🇩🇰for supporting other countries in these areas. Childhood obesity was another important part of our exchange - one of the most difficult public health challenges of our time. We agreed that prevention must start early - in schools, families and communities - with healthier environments that make healthier choices easier.

>85 MLN adults in our Region live with #diabetes. Health systems need to adapt by strengthening prevention, improving early detection and ensuring that people can access quality care close to home, says @hans_kluge. bit.ly/4agXT4O #PHC #NCDs #PHC4UHC

Strong primary health care is the foundation of effective #diabetes management. Early detection, regular follow-up and quality care can prevent complications, reduce hospitalizations and improve prevention and control of #NCDs. bit.ly/4agXT4O #PHC #PHC4UHC

No one should travel long distances or face financial hardship to receive #diabetes care. Learn more about the new initiative in #Kyrgyzstan, #Tajikistan and #Uzbekistan: bit.ly/4agXT4O #PHC #PHC4UHC

❤️ #Diabetes care is a litmus test for health system performance. When diabetes is effectively managed in primary health care, health systems are better equipped to tackle other #NCDs and other chronic conditions. bit.ly/4agXT4O #PHC #NCDs #HealthSystems #PHC4UHC