WHO Regional Office for Europe
WHO's regional office serving 53 countries across Europe, safeguarding the health of nearly one billion people.
WHO Regional Office for Europe – About WHO/EuropeThe WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) is one of WHO's six regional offices worldwide, responsible for the European Region comprising 53 countries stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. It serves as the directing and coordinating authority for public health within the United Nations system across this region, with its main office headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, supported by three technical centres and country offices in 30 Member States.
WHO/Europe's core mission is to inspire and support Member States in improving the health of their populations at all ages. Its work spans universal health coverage, health emergency preparedness, and promotion of healthier lives—priorities set out in the first European Programme of Work (EPW, 2020–2025). In October 2025, the region adopted the Second European Programme of Work (EPW2, 2026–2030), focusing on health security, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, healthy ageing, climate change, and health system transformation.
Led by Regional Director Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, the office collaborates with a broad range of public health stakeholders regionally and globally to develop and implement efficient health policies and strengthen health systems. EPW2 aligns WHO's global priorities from the 14th General Programme of Work (2025–2028) with the European regional context and accelerates action toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Given WHO/Europe's mandate to address health system transformation, noncommunicable diseases, and climate-health linkages across nearly one billion people, innovations in public health delivery, digital health, or health policy are directly relevant to its strategic agenda.