WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION Date: 23 January 2025
ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE Ms Helen Sõber
BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA
Adviser
ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО European Union Affairs and International Co-
Head office:
operation Department
UN City, Marmorvej 51, Ministry of Social Affairs
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Suur-Ameerika 1
Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01
Email:
[email protected] 10122 Tallinn
Website: https://www.who.int/europe Estonia
Dear Ms Sõber,
Meeting on the transformative potential of genomics and precision medicine
UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark
29 April 2025
I have the honour and pleasure of announcing the upcoming meeting on the transformative potential
of genomics and precision medicine, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. It will take
place on 29 April 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
This meeting aims to bring together key stakeholders in the health sector to explore the significant
opportunities genomics offers for improving health systems. It also aims to facilitate discussion on
strengthening public health infrastructure, enhancing genomic literacy, and providing training for
health-care professionals to develop advanced molecular diagnostics and targeted treatment pathways.
The overall objectives are to foster equitable access to precision medicine and to ensure that
innovations in this field are accessible and affordable to all who need them.
Please appoint up to two experts to attend this meeting, at which initiatives and strategies for
collaboration and innovation will be discussed. Your expertise and insight would greatly contribute to
the success of this hybrid event, and we look forward to the possibility of your participation.
Please confirm the nominated delegates’ attendance, either in-person or online to
[email protected] at the latest by 7 March 2025. Kindly note that WHO is unfortunately not in a
position to cover any travel and accommodation expenses. The working language for the meeting will
be English with simultaneous Russian interpretation available virtually, and the provisional
programme will be shared in due course. The responsible technical focal point for the meeting is Dr
Tarang Sharma, Technical Officer, Access to Medicines and Health Products, Division of Country
Health Policies and Systems (
[email protected]).
UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email:
[email protected]
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe
Denmark
The event will take place on 29 April 2025 from 08:30 to 17:30. We look forward to receiving your
kind feedback and to welcoming the designated nominees to Copenhagen.
Sincerely yours,
Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat
Director
Division of Country Health Policies and Systems
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Encls:
• Scope and purpose
• Information circular
Copy for information to:
Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of
Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia
H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of
the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin
du Petit-Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland
H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia,
Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia
–2–
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
Genomics and precision medicines meeting
UN City, Copenhagen Denmark
29 April 2025
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
Dear meeting participant,
Welcome to Copenhagen and to the genomics and precision medicines meeting.
We are pleased to provide you with the following information regarding the practical arrangements
for the above-mentioned meeting.
1. Meeting date
Tuesday 29 April 2025
2. Site of the meeting
Address: UN City, Marmorvej 51
Copenhagen, Denmark
Main Meeting room: Auditorium 1-3
Telephone: (+45) 45 33 50 00
Website: https://www.who.int/europe
3. Arriving at UN City
Please arrive at UN City on Tuesday, 29 April between 08:30 – 09.20 am. The meeting will start at
09.30 am.
In order to access the building, you will need to go through a security check similar to that in an
airport. There will be two persons from WHO secretariat to meet you at security. Please bring a valid
ID (passport or an ID card) to go through security. Please allow additional time to pass the
security checks.
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Registration will take place at the main reception area once you enter the building. You will receive a
badge which we kindly ask you to wear while being at UN City and attending the event, for security
reasons.
4. Recommended hotels
We kindly ask participants to make their own bookings.
Please see below a list of suggested hotels located nearby the meeting venue.
Adina Apartment Hotel https://www.adinahotels.com/
Contact:
[email protected]
Address: Amerika Plads 7, 2100 Copenhagen Ø +45 39 69 10 00 (0.9 Km from UN City)
Charlottehaven Apartments https://www.charlottehaven.com/
Contact:
[email protected]
Address: Hjørringgade 12C, 2100 Copenhagen Ø (0.9 Km from UN City)
Fairfield by Marriott Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn | Marriott Bonvoy
Contact:
[email protected]
Address: Tallinngade 10, Copenhagen, 2150, Denmark (1.2 Km from UN City)
Comwell Copenhagen Portside Moderne byhotel i det pulserende Nordhavn (comwell.com)
Contact:
[email protected]
Address: Alexandriagade 1, 2150 Nordhavn (1.5 km from UN City)
Stay Apartments – Nordhavn https://www.staycopenhagen.dk/
Contact:
[email protected]
Address: Fortkaj 5 2150 Nordhavn (1.3 km from UN City)
Should you wish to stay closer to the city center, we can also recommend:
Hotel Wakeup Copenhagen- https://www.wakeupcopenhagen.com/
Address: Borgergade 9, 1300 Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel Phoenix - Phoenix Copenhagen | Officiel hjemmeside | 4-stjernet Hotel
Address: Bredgade 37, 1260 Copenhagen, Denmark
5. Language
The meeting will be conducted in English with simultaneous Russian interpretation available
virtually.
6. Meeting hours and meals
The meeting will start at 09:30 CET on 29 April, with registration taking place from 08:30 CET. Tea
and coffee will be available throughout registration. Lunch will be provided during the meeting
together with breaks for refreshments. The meeting will end at 17:30 CET on 29 April.
Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. Please email
[email protected] with
[email protected] in copy.
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7. Meeting materials
Accompanying documentation will be shared electronically prior to the meeting.
8. Photo consent
By attending this meeting, you give your consent to the following statement regarding the WHO
meetings participants’ photo policy:
“I acknowledge that WHO and/or its representatives may take photographs and/or video footage of
all or part of the event in which participants may be depicted. I agree that WHO may reproduce any
of these photographs and/or video footage on any of its websites and/or other materials or authorize
third parties to do the same.”
In case you ask for your image to not be used, please inform us by email asap. Otherwise, your
consent is considered granted.
9. Banks/exchange facilities
Opening hours of banks are usually 10:00 to 16.00 hours. Exchange facilities are available at the
airport and at some hotels. A cash machine can be found in the reception area of UN city.
10. Guest Wi-FI
Visitors can have access to the “UN-City-Guest” wireless network.
11. Transport from the airport to the venue
Using public transportation, the approximate travel time from Copenhagen Airport to the UN City is
approx. 45 minutes.
By metro: Take the M2 metro line (direction: Vanløse) from the airport. The metro operates
throughout the day and night, departing every 4-6 minutes. Get off at Kongens Nytorv station and
take M4 metro line (direction: Orientkaj). Get off at Nordhavn metro station (3 Stops) and walk from
there (10 min).
By taxi: A taxi ride from Copenhagen Airport to UN City covers approximately 15 km and takes
about 25 minutes. The estimated cost is approx. $70
We hope we have covered all the administrative points you need to know in connection with the
meeting. Should you have any queries, however, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
[email protected] or in case of emergency, please contact Katerina Panagiotaki, Programme
Assistant at +45 93876702.
3
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
Genomics and Precision medicine 1/2
UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark 15 January 2025
29 April 2025 Original: English
Scope and purpose
Background
Genomics and precision medicine offers great potential for increasing the efficiency of health systems –
from clinical prevention, through early detection and screening, to targeted treatment for specific
subgroups, avoidance of treating non-responders, rehabilitation, and palliative care. However,
implementing it requires a transformation of health services and significant resources; but investing now
will lead to savings later. Leveraging the work initiated by the WHO/Europe Access to Novel Medicines
Platform and aligned with the new Regional Strategy on “Harnessing innovation for public health in the
WHO European Region 2025–2030” and the “Framework for resilient and sustainable health systems in
the WHO European Region 2025–2030”, the proposed European Programme of Work (EPW) 2.0 will
prioritize smart investment in and support equitable access to genomics and precision medicine in the
WHO European Region.
This new area of work for WHO/ Europe aims to support the equitable access to genomics and precision
medicine in our Region through strengthening public health infrastructure and investing in genomic
literacy and training for healthcare professionals to develop reliable, advanced molecular
diagnostics and targeted treatment pathways, with particular focus on rare diseases and cancer. We
hope this paves a new pathway for support to countries in appropriate investment in genomics, that
could bring about much needed change and transformation creating sustainable and efficient health
systems in Europe that are future proof, where innovations are available, accessible to and affordable by
all that need them.
Meeting objectives
On 29 April 2025, Access to Medicines and Health Products, WHO Regional Office for Europe, will host
the first expert meeting on genomics and precision medicine for the WHO European Region. The aim of
this meeting is to set the direction and strategy for genomics and precision medicine in our Region for
the next five years (2025-2030) by:
• identifying needs and priorities from across the Member States in our diverse Region, and where
WHO Europe’s support is most sought, valued and needed;
• receiving input and guidance from experts on the key next steps we should take together along
with all relevant stakeholders;
• facilitating peer learning through development of potential sub-regional hubs that create
communities of mutual support that enable the development of sustainable and future-proof
health systems, and
Scope and purpose
page 2
• providing a forum to share the progress on the work till date and an opportunity to shape and co-
create the development of these initiatives.
Format
This one-day event will facilitate knowledge sharing, strategic discussion, and collaborative planning on
genomics and precision medicine in the WHO European Region. The format includes a mix of
presentations, moderated discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions to encourage active participation
and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and the steps needed for bringing
equitable access to our Region.
Participants
This event will bring together all nominated focal points from the 53 Member States of our Region with
academic and international experts, civil society and patient organizations actively working in this
discipline to bring about transformation. It will also include delegates from the European Commission
and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, to ensure we are working in
collaboration for building trust and equitable access in our Region.
Saatja: "eurogenomics" <
[email protected]>
Saaja: "Helen Sõber"
Teema: Invitation to the genomics and precision medicine meeting, 29 April 2025, Copenhagen
Kuupäev: 2025-01-27 09:16
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Please see the attached invitation for the genomics and precision medicine
meeting on 29 April 2025. One or more attachments may be included in this
email.
Kind regards,
WHO Europe Genomics Secretariat
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark