WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge visits Finland to discuss health crises and economy of wellbeing

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, will visit Finland on Friday 6 May. He will meet with Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Aki Lindén. 

The topics to be discussed during the visit include the effects of the war in Ukraine on health and health cooperation in Europe, preparedness for and response to health crises, resilience, the economy of wellbeing, digital health and innovations. 

Kluge and Lindén will also learn about the work done by the City of Espoo to promote wellbeing and health, and they will visit the Iso Omena Service Centre, which offers a range of public services from healthcare to employment services.  

“Finland and the WHO Regional Office for Europe have a strong, long-standing partnership, with shared priorities, most notably on tackling non-communicable diseases and their risk factors through health promotion, and building an economy of well-being,” says Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. 

“It is my great pleasure to be here in Finland to discuss with Minister Lindén and his team how we can further deepen our collaboration, and address the extensive health challenges of our time including health security, emergency preparedness and response,” he adds. 

“We also have to look beyond crises and on recovery, with people's wellbeing at the core of policy and practice. The economy can generate health and wellbeing for all. Together with the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Finland is contributing to the development of the economy of wellbeing approach in the Europe,” says Minister Lindén.

Same themes on the agenda also in the upcoming WHO meetings 

The WHO Regional Office for Europe will organise a special session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe on 10–11 May 2022. The session will discuss Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and its effects on health and regional and international health cooperation. The 75th WHO World Health Assembly will take place in Geneva on 22–28 May 2022. The Finnish delegation to the Assembly will be led by Minister Lindén. 

Read more about Finland’s role in the World Health Organization (WHO):

• World Health Organization WHO 

Inquiries:

Kaisa Lähdepuro, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295163419, [email protected]