WHO/Europe Media Advisory

73^rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe and International Primary Health Care Conference

Ministers meet to set health agenda for Europe and Central Asia

Joint press conference by WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Republic of Kazakhstan

Tuesday, 24 October 2023, at 1800 ALMT / 1400 CEST / 1300 BST

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan are co-hosting two landmark events in the global health calendar:

• 23 October: international conference celebrating 45 years since the Alma-Ata Declaration and 5 years since the Astana Declaration on primary health care.
• 24-26 October: 73^rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe where ministers of health and health experts from the 53 countries in the Region will gather to set the health agenda for the years to come, on issues including preparing better for health emergencies, addressing the health and care workforce crisis, tackling the danger of antimicrobial resistance and strengthening protocols and practical approaches governing refugee and migrant health.

This year, WHO is marking its 75th anniversary, 45 years since the signing of the historic Alma-Ata Declaration on primary health care (PHC), and – for WHO/Europe – the mid-point of the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe”.

The joint press conference will be an opportunity to reflect on the current state of health and well-being across the Region, celebrate public health milestones over the past 75 years, and discuss what is needed to address current and future challenges.

PANELISTS:

• Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe
• Dr Azhar Giniyat, Minister of Health, Republic of Kazakhstan

LOCATION:

• Astana Congress Center, Sauran Street 44, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan

LANGUAGES:

• English, Kazakh and Russian (interpretation available, including on Zoom)

HOW TO ATTEND:

• Journalists present in Astana are encouraged to attend in person and should message the Ministry of Health to be accredited. Unaccredited journalists will be denied entry. Kindly contact Assel Artakshinova by emailing conference.pmsp@mail.kz, WhatsApp: +7 701 255 9479.

• Those unable to attend in person can join online via Zoom. When joining the Zoom meeting, please ensure you enter your name and media outlet in your profile. To ask a question, please write your question in the chat, alternatively click “raise hand”, and this will enter you into the pool for questions. Please make sure you have a microphone connected or active on your computer. 

CONNECTION DETAILS:

• https://who.zoom.us/j/99658339450
• Passcode: WHO2023!

PRESS CONTACTS: 

• Bhanu Bhatnagar (WHO Europe Regional Office), bbhatnagar@who.int            
• Aizhan Rymbayeva (WHO Kazakhstan Country Office), rymbayevaa@who.int            
• WHO/Europe Press Office, eupress@who.int