Kiri

HAJNALKA V., Földes The drawings featured in this calendar were created for an exhibition at the 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health held in Budapest. We wish all of you to be inspired by these work of arts and to realize your vision for a healthier planet in 2024! 2024  ÁKOS P. Szekszárd JANUARY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  JÁZMIN M, Balmazújváros FEBRUARY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29  ELIZA LAETITIA J., Budapest MARCH SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  BOGLÁRKA B., Székesfehérvár APRIL SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30  SOPHIA H., Diósd MAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  JULIANNA K., Bagaméri JUNE SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30  DONIA A., Szekszárd JULY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  LUCA G., Sándorfalva AUGUST SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  GERGŐ G., Sásd SEPTEMBER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30  LUCA B., Földes OCTOBER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  SZOFI M., Szekszárd NOVEMBER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30  BARBARA GYÖNGYI S., Földes DECEMBER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  The 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health held on 5-7 July 2023 in Budapest gathered high-level decision makers and experts from the WHO European Region and beyond to shape the future of environmental and health policies in the region under the vision: ‘Accelerating action for healthier people, a thriving planet, and a sustainable future’. At this occasion, WHO Country Office for Hungary launched a drawing competition for 7-11 year old children to call for their wisdom and to help us visualize the vision of the conference. Over 1200 art works were submitted from all over Hungary, 150 of them were exhibited at the Conference. This calendar features some of these beautiful drawings, including the three winning ones. We would like to warmly thank the teachers, the parents and most importantly the young artists who sent their drawings. Accelerating action for healthier people, a thriving planet, a sustainable future DECLARATION OF THE SEVENTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH Budapest Declaration © World Health Organization 2023. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo). D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H DECLARATION OF THE SEVENTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH We the ministers and representatives with the environmental and climate crises of Member States in the European has exacerbated existing environment Region of the World Health Organization and health pressures and inequalities (WHO), responsible for health and the between and within countries. It also environment, have come together at highlighted the interdependencies the Seventh Ministerial Conference on between the health of humans, animals, Environment and Health, generously plants, and ecosystems at large, and the hosted by the Government of Hungary need to enhance the understanding and in Budapest from 5 to 7 July 2023, to evidence on the interlinkages between accelerate our collective commitment for drivers of biodiversity loss, ecosystems healthier people, a thriving planet and a degradation, climate change and the sustainable future.1 emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and highlighting the urgent Alarmed by the substantial and need to reduce pressures on biodiversity persistent burden of ill health due to and decrease environmental degradation environmental risk factors in the WHO to reduce risks to health; European Region, accounting for at least 1.4 million premature deaths per Concerned about the increasing threat to year, 569,000 of which are attributable mental health and well-being, including to ambient air pollution, and 154,000 to eco-anxiety among young people, household air pollution, and concerned brought by the converging climate and that environmental risks contribute to environmental crises but aware of the one-fourth of all non-communicable health protecting and promoting co- diseases globally, including cancer, and benefits brought about by policies that cardiovascular, respiratory and mental enable a positive relation to nature, and diseases, as well as to infectious diseases; green and blue spaces; Concerned that the “triple crisis” brought Highlighting the importance of by the intertwining of climate change, integrating the environmental and environmental pollution and biodiversity climate change dimensions within health loss is causing unprecedented and systems for the provision of quality of care rapidly unfolding impacts on our lives, and towards attaining universal health threatening eco-systems, human and coverage; animal health and well-being across generations in our Region; Underlining that peace is a precondition for sustainable development and Recognizing that the convergence of the recognizing the right to a clean, healthy coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and sustainable environment;2 1 The Russian Federation disassociates from this Declaration. 2 as adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 76/300 of 28 July 2022. PAGE 1 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H Mindful that the on-going energy crisis to a clean, healthy and sustainable requires a further acceleration of an environment, and of the urgent need equitable and just transition to clean and to achieve the objectives of existing sustainable energy sources, concerned international commitments relevant that countries may roll back climate to health, environment, climate and commitments to address the energy biodiversity, as well as of the relevant crisis contrary to the Paris Agreement, re- Resolutions of the World Health emphasizing the urgent need for a rapid Assembly and the WHO Regional and sustained and sustainable reduction Committee for Europe, including the in greenhouse gas emissions, along with European Programme of Work 2020- providing energy security for all countries, 2025, “United Action for Better Health”; regions and individuals, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized; Acknowledging the role played by Member States of the WHO European Emphasizing that, in an interdependent Region and taking note of the European world, successfully tackling complex, Union (EU) policies and legislation multidimensional challenges requires relevant to environment and health, urgent, inclusive, intersectoral and including the European Green Deal, transformative action for a healthy, the EU Global Health Strategy, the EU green and sustainable recovery from Research and Innovation Framework the COVID-19 pandemic, as advocated Programmes Horizon 2020 and Horizon by the One Health and Planetary Health Europe, the EU Regulation on serious approaches; cross-border health threats, the EU Beating Cancer Plan, and the EU Care Recognizing the importance of planning Strategy, in supporting national policy and investing in health promoting and developments across a large number of equitable environments for sustainable European countries; development, including both the natural and the built environments, as well as Commending the role played by the essential service provision, to achieve European Environment and Health resilient and healthy communities; Process (EHP) and its Ministerial Conferences and Declarations as a Acknowledging the pivotal role of local unique catalyst for setting the policy and subnational levels of government agenda, an enabler of intersectoral in promoting innovation, improving action to address priority environment preparedness, decreasing inequalities, and health challenges in the European including gender inequalities, and Region, and an accelerator in achieving strengthening resilience; the environment and health related Sustainable Development Goals, at the Mindful of the UN General Assembly’s halfway mark of the Agenda 2030. Resolution 76/300 on the human right PAGE 2 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H We make the following commitments: 1. We will accelerate the just transition addressing both established and towards resilient, healthy, equitable emerging environmental risk and sustainable societies, taking into factors; account the lessons learned from the • integrate nature and biodiversity in COVID-19 pandemic. In so doing, we environment and health policies, will apply a dual track approach: and in the implementation of the One Health approach; • on the one hand, we will • provide universal and equitable increase efforts in prevention, access to essential services, such as preparedness, and early detection safe drinking water, sanitation and of and response to emergencies hygiene, energy and food supplies, to protect all people, especially waste management, wastewater vulnerable populations. These management, and healthy and actions aim to enhance health sustainable transport systems; systems’ resilience and capacity to • promote a safe, clean and healthy withstand and respond to disasters built environment across all and crises; settings. • on the other hand, we will increase efforts to address the 3. For this purpose, we commit to: environmental determinants of health. • strengthening interlinkages between environment and health, 2. We will prioritize action on the including through: transformative health challenges related to the governance for environment and triple crisis of climate change, health; a workforce with integrated environmental pollution, and and up-to-date competencies on biodiversity loss, including by environment and health; research strengthening the engagement of and innovation; the health sector in these agendas • adopting whole-of-government and recognizing the centrality of and whole-of-society approaches, these factors in the global health while paying particular attention agenda. In particular, we will: to vulnerable populations and indigenous communities. • enhance health sector action to tackle the impacts of 4. To enable such transition, we climate change, including by commit to use the “Roadmap for making health systems more healthier people, a thriving planet environmentally sustainable, and a sustainable future 2023- decarbonizing them and making 2030” as an integral part of this them climate-resilient; Declaration, leveraging the set • step up action to reduce the health of “accelerators” identified in the impacts of pollution, through Roadmap to facilitate the transition PAGE 3 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H towards resilient, healthy, equitable 6. We will continue to measure and sustainable communities. and report on progress towards the implementation of our 5. We reaffirm the commitments commitments using national taken in the 2017 Ostrava reporting on the achievement Declaration, “Better Health, Better of the Sustainable Development Environment, Sustainable Choices”, Goals and other relevant reporting and the continued relevance frameworks. of the priority areas identified therein, adding the links between 7. We will support and promote nature, biodiversity, and health as the activities of the European a new priority for action. We will Environment and Health Task Force continue to develop and improve (EHTF) and its Bureau, as drivers for the implementation of National implementing the commitments Portfolios for action on environment taken in this and previous and health. Declarations, especially the Ostrava Declaration. Acting through joint action and partnerships: 8. We commit to intensify efforts strengthen the means and further to come together with relevant develop tools for communication, partners and stakeholders to awareness-raising and promotion strengthen the implementation of of literacy about the links between our commitments. We establish health, environment and climate the “EHP Partnerships” as a new, change. Our aim is to enhance voluntary and flexible mechanism access to information on and public to accelerate uptake of new participation in environment and approaches, promote peer-to-peer health related decision-making. support, share knowledge and experiences, provide a platform 10. We will support ratification and/ for communities of practice or advance the implementation of and increase opportunities for multilateral agreements relevant “twinning” (see Annex II, Terms of for this agenda, as appropriate, Reference for the EHP Partnerships). such as the Protocol on Water and Health, the Convention on Long- 9. We will continue to promote the Range Transboundary Air Pollution, effective, inclusive, and action- including its Gothenburg Protocol, oriented engagement of civil and the relevant international society, academia, the private Conventions on hazardous sector, local communities and chemicals, their mixtures, waste, as other stakeholders in the decision- well as the Convention on Biological making process at all levels. We will PAGE 4 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H Diversity and its Kunming-Montreal 14. We will support and empower Global Biodiversity Framework. the European Environment and Health and Youth Coalition (EEHYC) 11. We welcome the resolution 5/14 and other international youth entitled “End plastic pollution – organizations at international, Towards an international legally regional, national, and local levels, to binding instrument”, adopted make their action more relevant in by the fifth session of the United policymaking and implementation. Nations Environment Assembly. 15. We will convene the next 12. We welcome the commitments of Environment and Health Ministerial the Vienna Declaration “Building Conference by 2030. forward better by transforming to new, clean, safe, healthy and 16. We will make every effort to inclusive mobility and transport” mobilize the necessary resources and will further support the nationally and internationally, and Transport Health and Environment call upon the governing bodies of Pan European Programme (THE WHO and UNECE for their support, PEP) and THE PEP implementation in close collaboration with UNEP in mechanisms. particular, and with other relevant UN and international organizations 13. We will further leverage the WHO in the region. Healthy Cities Network and the Regions for Health Network to 17. We express our gratitude to the develop demonstration projects government of Hungary for hosting and facilitate the exchange of this Conference and we wish to knowledge and experiences. thank both the government and the people of Hungary for their warm hospitality. Signed in Budapest, Hungary on 6 July 2023 Péter Takács Anikó Raisz Hans Henri P. Kluge State Secretary for Health State Secretary for Regional Director on behalf of Sándor Pintér Environment and Circular WHO Regional Office for Minister of Interior Economy Europe Hungary on behalf of Csaba Lantos Minister of Energy Hungary PAGE 5 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H ANNEX 1 ROADMAP FOR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, A THRIVING PLANET AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 2023-2030 This Roadmap is an integral part of the The Roadmap also highlights the Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial continuing need to improve the universal Conference on Environment and Health.3 provision of essential health-determining services, such as water, sanitation and It describes a set of actions for Member hygiene, management of waste and States’ consideration that facilitate the wastewater and healthy and sustainable implementation of the commitments mobility and transport, in an equitable, of this Declaration and accelerate sustainable and resilient manner. A progress to prevent and reduce the proper planning of the built environment health consequences posed by climate is recognized as a potential enabler for change, environmental pollution, and action towards this end, which will be biodiversity loss, as well as to strengthen paramount to the achievement of the governance, human resources, financing Sustainable Development Goals in the and knowledge for health and the WHO European Region. environment. 3 The commitments in paragraphs 68 and 77 of this Roadmap may not apply to countries that are not party to the legal instruments mentioned therein. PAGE 6 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H A. Prioritizing action to tackle the most pressing health challenges related to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss Climate change Why urgent action is needed Between 1991 and 2021 temperatures in the WHO European Region have warmed at an average rate of about 0.5 °C per decade. This is more than twice the global average and it makes the Region the fastest-warming region globally. This demonstrates the urgent need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to act on the consequences of climate change on human health and well- being. Climate change compromises health systems and causes communicable and non-communicable diseases, including mental illnesses, that result from extreme weather events (e.g., heat waves, floods, drought spells, wildfires) and slow-onset developments (e.g., water scarcity, loss of permafrost). Indirect impacts include the spread of vector-, food- and water-borne diseases, allergies, compromised food and water security, diminished well-being, and reduced labour productivity, especially in vulnerable populations. Our commitment: We will enhance our Nations Framework Convention on efforts to tackle the health and well- Climate Change; being impacts of climate change through adaptation and mitigation action by the 3. developing, updating, and health and health-determining sectors, implementing Health National by: Adaptation Plans (H-NAPs), either as stand-alone documents or 1. making health systems and integrated as part of National facilities climate-resilient and Adaptation Plans (NAPs); environmentally sustainable, and by striving for decarbonizing service 4. developing and updating heat- delivery in alignment with the health action plans to effectively COP26 Health Programme; prevent, prepare for and respond to heat-related health risks, while 2. establishing health-centred targets adapting urban planning to address in national planning, in particular the impacts of urban heat island in the Nationally Determined effects, taking into account the Contributions (NDCs) under the competencies of different levels of Paris Agreement under the United governance; PAGE 7 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H 5. establishing and updating informed health early-warning and regulatory requirements to ensure surveillance systems for extreme the climate resilience of water and weather events and climate- sanitation services, and, where sensitive disease outbreaks; appropriate, promoting the reuse of wastewater, while ensuring that 7. strengthening the climate-literacy it is safe for health and protects the of health professionals to empower environment; them to respond to climate health impacts and engage meaningfully 6. strengthening natural disaster risk on climate change policy reduction policies and climate- development in the health sector. We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: 8. promoting healthy mitigation platforms, such as the European measures such as renewable energy Climate and Health Observatory; provision, active mobility, improved waste management and healthy 12. relying on WHO’s guidance on and sustainable diets; heat-health action planning and for climate resilient and 9. joining the Alliance for environmentally sustainable health Transformative Action on Climate care facilities, among others, Change and Health (ATACH) and and building and intensifying forming a regional community collaboration with a wide range of of practice of European countries different actors and stakeholders that takes into account sub- across all levels of governance; regional specificities and prevailing vulnerabilities to climate change; 13. leveraging the EHP Partnership on Health Sector Climate Action, 10. leveraging the Health in Climate aiming to provide a regional Change (HIC) working group, community of practice to support established under the EHTF, as a countries’ efforts to develop platform for sharing experiences climate-resilient, low-carbon and and innovations, promoting environmentally sustainable health tools, communicating evidence, systems in line with the COP26 showcasing good practices in Health Programme and the ATACH climate change and health, and initiative. fostering partnerships among countries and stakeholders; 11. making use and contributing to the work of existing initiatives and PAGE 8 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H Environmental Pollution Why urgent action is needed Pollution of air, water and soil, exposure to hazardous chemicals, noise, and other physical risk factors (such as UV or radon) are responsible for a major burden of disease, which still need to be fully estimated. Exposure to different types of pollution poses a multitude of health risks to people throughout the life course, contributes to the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases, and can lead to both acute episodes and long-term adverse effects. These health impacts include cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, endocrine, immunologic and metabolic disorders, and cancer. Exposure to pollution can also impair children’s development and affect mental health. In addition to urgent actions needed to address a wide range of pollutants, for which the health evidence is well- established and advancing, new and emerging issues, such as electromagnetic radiation, require attention and response and addressing multiple exposures to pollutants. Our commitment: We will continue mitigating climate change, and and enhance our efforts to reduce the delivering multiple health benefits; substantial burden of diseases caused by different types of pollution and work 16. improving indoor air quality to to reduce exposure and prevent adverse protect health, with particular health impacts of pollution in the future, focus on children and other by: vulnerable groups, for example by considering ventilation systems 14. updating policies and taking in schools, chemicals in building action, including revisions and and furniture materials, household gradual setting of stricter air quality fuel combustion and energetically standards, taking into account retrofitted housing; available technology and economic conditions, to achieve reduction 17. developing and implementing of exposure to air pollution and policies and actions to reduce its health impacts, together with exposure to environmental noise, measures that improve air quality, in and exploring the health and well- particular source control; being benefits of interventions that target both air quality and 15. supporting the transition to environmental noise; generation of and equitable access to renewable energy, recognizing its 18. developing and implementing crucial role in reducing air pollution, preventive regulation of chemicals, PAGE 9 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H their mixtures and waste at the 22. reducing water pollution, including national and regional level as well as through minimizing the amount of in the context of international and untreated or insufficiently treated regional Conventions, and ensuring wastewater and biosolids released a greater involvement of the health into the environment, and ensuring sector in sound chemicals and their safe reuse, where applicable; waste management; 23. addressing the environmental 19. enhancing efforts to reduce dimension of antimicrobial emissions and releases of chemicals resistance (AMR) by supporting to the environment, in particular, measures to minimize releases of persistent and so called ‘forever’ antimicrobials, residues, resistant chemicals, pharmaceuticals, microorganisms and genes pesticides, endocrine disrupting into the environment, as well as chemicals, etc., through legislative by addressing environmental and other measures to reduce aspects into AMR national action exposure and the risks of adverse plans, including through the health effects; operationalization of the One Health Approach; 20. promoting the establishment and use of human biomonitoring as an 24. strengthening and maintaining effective instrument to help guide core public health capacities for policies and actions to prevent surveillance of environment and health impacts caused by chemicals health threats, and establishing through exposure reduction; environmental surveillance of disease agents in wastewater, for 21. ensuring access to poison centres the effective response to outbreaks equipped with essential capabilities, and incidents, and informed public in particular to prevent and respond health action. to poisonings and contribute to sound chemicals management; We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: 25. using the WHO guidelines on air 26. leveraging the existing platforms, quality, on water quality, on safe use like the Joint Task Force on Health of wastewater, on environmental Aspects of Air Pollution under the noise, and on the establishment UNECE Convention on Long-range of poison centres, as evidence Transboundary Air Pollution, and informed reference for national tools to strengthen capacities and standard setting or actions/ systems to monitor air pollutants interventions; and to assess the health impacts of air pollution; PAGE 10 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H 27. promoting the creation of an supporting the establishment of a international toxicovigilance science-policy panel to contribute network and to share experiences further to the sound management and to facilitate targeting the risks of chemicals and waste and prevent associated with new practices pollution, as outlined in Resolution and products as well as long used UNEP/EA.5/Res.8 adopted by the substances; Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2022; 28. supporting the adoption of a new framework for the sound 30. leveraging the EHP Partnership management of chemicals and on Human Biomonitoring, as waste at the 5th Meeting of an innovative mechanism to the International Conference advance monitoring of exposure on Chemicals Management to chemicals and their mixtures, to (ICCM 5) and contributing to share data and to contribute to risk the implementation of the assessments on chemicals; recommendations of the ICCM meetings in the European Region; 31. aligning efforts with the (forthcoming) regional AMR 29. promoting the active engagement roadmap for the WHO European of WHO in the ad hoc open- Region for 2023-2030. ended working group tasked with Biodiversity loss and land degradation Why urgent action is needed Rapidly accumulating evidence shows how changes in the global environment result in profound and negative impacts on nature and biodiversity. The interconnections between the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, livestock, plants and ecosystems are now recognised along with the critical role played by biodiversity loss, land degradation, climate change and the environment as driving forces in this human-animal-environment health interface. Depletion of natural resources has an enormous impact on human health. At the same time, nature and biodiversity provide basic conditions to human health and protect it through essential ecosystem services, such as exposure to quality green and blue spaces for promoting mental and physical health, clean water, air and soil, and healthy food. Maintaining the integrity of natural ecosystems is critical in preventing zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, and pandemics. PAGE 11 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H Our commitment: We will integrate from vector borne and zoonotic nature and biodiversity in health policies diseases; and adopt the One Health approach interlinking policies and actions related 33. promoting and strengthening the to health of humans, animals, and integration of the environmental ecosystems, while taking into account dimension in the operationalisation benefits and risk associated with human of the One Health approach; interaction with nature, by: 34. monitoring biological particles 32. conserving, protecting, restoring, and invasive species to better and sustainably using and inform environment and health managing natural ecosystems to professionals and the public, protect human health, including especially susceptible people, on the level of risk. We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: 35. integrating nature, biodiversity and development” while ensuring the health in our National Portfolios for protection of human health; action on environment and health; 38. making use of the 2024 European 36. leveraging the 2022 Kunming- High-Level Conference on One Montreal global biodiversity Health to exchange experiences framework of the Convention on and good practices, stimulate Biological Diversity, including the collaboration and coordination integration of the One Health among all relevant sectors and approach in National Biodiversity stakeholders, and operationalize the Strategies and Action Plans Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan (NBSAPs); of Action (2022-2026). 37. leveraging the UNEA-5 Resolution ”Nature-based solutions for supporting sustainable PAGE 12 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H B. Delivering essential services and a safe built environment for healthy and resilient communities Why urgent action is needed Provision of essential public services and safe built environments are central in preventing disease and promoting health and well-being. They are critical to enhance the resilience of human settlements to environment and health threats and for a healthy and green recovery from the pandemic. Essential public services in communities include the provision of safe, equitable and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services, the safe management of waste and wastewater, and healthy and sustainable transport services. They must be sustained, improved and adequately resourced. Sustainable and healthy design, planning and management of built environments promote public health and healthy lifestyles. There is a need to work across different levels of government, maximising the potential of each respective level. Water, sanitation and hygiene climate-resilient management of the sanitation service chain; Our commitment: We will ensure universal and equitable access to safe 41. implementing national strategies drinking water, sanitation and hygiene on universal hand hygiene, in services for all in all settings and promote particular in community settings, continuous investment in maintaining and promoting effective behaviour such services, by: change actions; 39. updating policies to adopt a risk- 42. ensuring quality of care through based approach for the safe and improved water, sanitation and climate-resilient management of hygiene in health care facilities; the drinking-water supply chain from catchment to consumer; 43. establishing policies that promote menstrual health and access to 40. updating policies to adopt a risk- affordable means for menstrual based approach for the safe and hygiene. PAGE 13 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: 44. leveraging the Protocol on Water Waste and contaminated sites and Health as a regional policy instrument supporting the Our commitment: We will set up implementation of commitments at strategies and frameworks for safe the national level, also capitalizing management of waste and for the on the Protocol’s technical tools and identification and remediation of resources; contaminated sites, to move towards an effective and safe implementation of 45. mainstreaming the the circular economy approach in line recommendations of the WHO with the Basel-Rotterdam-Stockholm guidelines for drinking-water quality Conventions, by: and on sanitation and health, including through building capacity 48. ensuring the safe collection, for the implementation of water and treatment and disposal of waste sanitation safety plans (WSPs and and promoting reduction of waste, SSPs) as public health benchmarks while addressing in particular illegal in consistently ensuring safe water and uncontrolled waste disposal; and sanitation services; 49. developing appropriate systems 46. capitalizing on the WHO/UNICEF to safely manage health care Hand Hygiene for All initiative and waste to prevent infectious and promoting implementation at the non-infectious risks for human national level through its principles health and the environment, and and tools; strengthening the related national regulations and standards; 47. strengthening implementation of the 2019 WHA resolution on 50. further developing and water, sanitation and hygiene in implementing safe processes for health care facilities, including cleaning contaminated sites and menstrual health services, making redeveloping such sites for safe use of relevant WHO guidance and human use. recommendations. PAGE 14 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: 51. enforcing standards and monitoring 53. developing and implementing of emissions, discharges and waste national and international policies from economic activities; and strategies to promote healthy, safe, climate-friendly and active 52. implementing the WHO guidance mobility, including a switch to zero- on safe management of wastes emission transport systems and from health-care activities. mobility management; Transport and mobility 54. creating favourable conditions and planning safe infrastructures for Our commitment: We will promote walking and cycling suitable for all healthy, safe, climate-friendly and populations to use; inclusive mobility and transport for all, while reducing inequalities, including in 55. promoting clean, reliable, accessible, and between cities and rural areas, by: affordable and high-quality public transport services. We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: 56. promoting initiatives towards 61. leveraging the extended THE PEP/ sustainable transport and mobility; EHP Partnership on Healthy Active Mobility, aiming at strengthening 57. leveraging and strengthening THE the health focus and the PEP activities and its Partnerships, involvement of the health sector in and implementing the Vienna this endeavour. Declaration, adopted at the Fifth High-level Meeting on Transport, Planning of built environments Health and Environment; Our commitment: We will work in close 58. striving to reduce land-take by partnership with cities and regions to motorised road transport and support green, healthy, resilient and parking infrastructure; equitable settings to the benefit of all citizens, working across different levels 59. directing investments, fiscal of governments to maximise policy incentives and green finance coherence and synergies among the initiatives towards sustainable different levels, by: transport and mobility; 62. implementing nature-based 60. promoting and supporting solutions and circular economy partnerships on healthy and approaches, promoting sustainable sustainable mobility; PAGE 15 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H investments for spatial planning 64. reducing environmental pollution and climate friendly infrastructure; including noise exposure; 63. reducing soil sealing in urban, 65. promoting the decarbonisation of suburban and rural areas, and urban processes; counteracting urban sprawl; 66. increasing green and blue spaces. We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: 67. making use of existing WHO tools Sustainable Development Agenda, and approaches, such as health the New Urban Agenda, the impact assessments; Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework); 68. integrating further the assessment of environmental, including 70. further developing the work on health, effects, in decision-making policy coordination at different and planning procedures by levels of decision-making done by leveraging the Protocol on Strategic the Working Group on Collaboration Environmental Assessments of Local and Subnational under the Espoo Convention on Authorities (CoLSA), possibly within Environmental Impact Assessment the framework of a new EHP in a Transboundary Context; Partnership. 69. implementing urban-related measures from international commitments (such as the PAGE 16 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H C. Strengthening governance, intersectoral collaboration, human resources and knowledge for health and environment Why urgent action is needed Recovering from Covid-19 and tackling the triple crisis challenges call for a transformative change. It further calls for a whole-of-society approach, including effective collaboration across government sectors at the national, subnational and local levels. Environment and health leaders and professionals need adequate mandates, knowledge and tools to address the environmental and climate threats to health and promote the societal benefits of healthy environments. Research and innovation must be translated into action at increasing speed. Our commitment: We will strengthen challenges associated with the triple the interlinkages between environment crisis; and health, including by: 73. promoting research and innovation 71. promoting a transformative to address environment and governance for environment health challenges, including by and health, by strengthening identifying emerging issues with mechanisms and tools for the potential to harm human intersectoral collaboration; health, such as plastic pollution, and other knowledge gaps, promoting 72. preparing the environment and research to address them, and on health workforce to be able to tackle translating science into policies and actions. We will accelerate progress by considering the following actions: Governance: evidence-based guidance and tools available through a web portal; 74. organizing and supporting national multisectoral policy dialogues, 75. convening an executive officers exchanges of experiences among meeting on Governance and countries and in-country action, Capacities for Environment and with the aim to facilitate the Health by the end of 2024, to foster implementation of commitments the identification of good practices in this Declaration, and to make in governance mechanisms and intersectoral collaboration and to PAGE 17 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H exchange information on enablers for environment and health and and barriers to sustainable and produce recommendations by equitable development at the the end of 2025 to be considered national level; by Member States for developing their own environment and health 76. creating an environment and health professional profile; leaders’ course on governance for policy makers and senior 80. advocating to create, review, update practitioners, to strengthen and prioritize youth education, education and foster practical training programmes and curricula exchange to advance environmental for environment and health and health governance; in collaboration with relevant ministries and national partners; 77. promoting awareness raising, effective and inclusive access to 81. promoting the establishment of information, public participation learning programmes integrating in decision-making and access to environmental aspects in justice on environmental matters the curricula of health care that impact health, especially professionals; considering the health of children and young people, in accordance 82. leveraging programmes and with the Aarhus Convention; projects carried out across the WHO European Region and by 78. leveraging relevant sub-regional the European Union, addressing platforms, such as the WHO shortages of professionals and skills, Western Balkans and Central Asia education and training, as well Roadmaps for health and well- as innovative research initiatives being, the Small Countries Initiative on established and emerging and the Arctic Council to promote environment and health risks; exchanges of experiences among countries sharing similar sub- Research and innovation: regional priorities and needs; 83. leveraging opportunities for Competencies: sharing scientific information and knowledge on the interlinkages 79. leveraging the WHO Bonn School between the degradation of on Environment and Health to ecosystems, climate change and coordinate an initiative to review biodiversity loss, and the emergence the existing professional profiles and spread of infectious diseases. PAGE 18 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H ANNEX 2 TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE EHP PARTNERSHIPS I. Introduction Addressing the existing and emerging environment and health challenges requires additional, strong joint action, and concrete mechanisms to improve coordination and cooperation, while recognizing that different countries have different environment and health priorities, which reflect country-specific political, economic, social, cultural and natural conditions. To this aim, the seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health is launching a new agile thematic action-oriented mechanism – the “EHP Partnerships” − to facilitate the implementation of the commitments taken in this Declaration. II. Scope and purpose of the EHP Partnership The EHP Partnership will serve the The Partnerships can bring together following purposes: countries and other partners in their efforts to implement the Budapest 1. to support the implementation of Declaration. The activities under the the EHP commitments at national Partnerships could include projects, and international level, by fostering capacity building, trainings, events, collaboration and exchange of dissemination and uptake of relevant knowledge among partners WHO norms and standards, as well interested in addressing together as of tools and methods for assessing specific environment and health the health effects of environmental challenges; risk factors and monitor progress in addressing them, identification of good 2. to strengthen ownership among practices and documentation of case potential partners, who would be studies. closely involved in the work to be carried out under the umbrella of In the framework of the Partnerships, the Partnership; countries and stakeholders interested in addressing specific challenges 3. to facilitate the mobilization of would work together, providing each human and financial resources other with technical support, sharing for the implementation of knowledge and experiences, including on concrete activities at the national, institutional strengthening. subnational and local level. PAGE 19 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H The EHP Partnerships would entail the d. exploring the feasibility of project- following main functions: related subregional cooperation including the joint use of technical a. implementing and disseminating facilities and expertise; guidance, methods, tools and training packages for integrated e. developing supportive material, approaches in health and promoting research and environment policy making; dissemination of results; b. fostering capacity building and f. providing international advocacy training and the exchange of know- and cooperation; how and expertise, possibly with a focus on the needs of low and g. supporting information sharing and middle-income countries; increased visibility of the EHP. c. providing technical assistance at the The EHP Partnerships should aim at national and subnational level for establishing synergies with on-going the development, implementation similar activities within the EHP or other and evaluation of integrated policy frameworks, bringing added value to approaches and the application of common objectives. developed guidance, methods and tools; III. The EHP Partnerships governance Each Partnership will have a lead country/s and/or organisation/s from the EHP members. The Partnership can include representatives of other EHP members, as well as other intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, private sector, academic and professional associations, and research institutions, of relevance to the EHP4. All partners commit to actively participating in partnership activities in accordance with their respective needs and capacities. The EHP Partnerships are established by a decision of the EHTF. Leading countries and/or organizations will compile the EHP Partnership Form provided below and will submit it to the Secretariat for approval by the EHTF. If proposals of new Partnerships are submitted during the intersessional period between the annual EHTF meetings, they can be approved through on-line EHTF consultations. The EHTF can also entrust its Bureau to approve them on its behalf. 4 Participation of non-state actors may be subject to an assessment in line with the WHO Framework for Engagement with Non-State Actors. PAGE 20 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H New partners could join a Partnership at • prepare agendas, technical any stage. In such case, the lead country/ documents, meeting reports and organization should submit a revised publications; Partnership Form to the EHP Secretariat, • report regularly to the EHTF; which in turn will inform the EHTF for its • present the work of the Partnership approval. in relevant intergovernmental events; The Partnerships operate under the • support fund raising activities. EHTF, and their activities are to be agreed by the EHTF. Financing of the Partnerships activities, including organization of meetings, The lead country/s and/or organisation/s funding of participants attending will regularly report to the EHTF on meetings and events, translation and progress achieved. interpretation costs, are entirely of a voluntary nature, and tailored to Lead country/s and/or organisation/s will specific circumstances and availability of have full authority to manage the work resources. of the Partnership, in particular, they are expected to: The WHO Secretariat will support the Partnerships by providing input to their • establish and maintain scope and programme of work, with contacts with Partnerships’ the objective of ensuring alignment members, including Member and synergy with relevant WHO States, intergovernmental, policies, priorities and initiatives. WHO non-governmental and other will make available relevant guidance, organizations; methodologies and tools, and could • identify and engage relevant also consider contributing by relevant experts, who would support its expertise and technical support. work; • organize Partnership’s meetings These Terms of Reference can be revised and follow-up activities; anytime through a decision by the EHTF. PAGE 21 D E C L A R A T I O N O F T H E S E V E N T H M I N I S T E R I A L C O N F E R E N C E O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D H E A LT H EHP Partnership Form 1. Name of the Partnership 2. Leading country and/or organization 3. Partners 4. Objectives 5. Description (max 200 words) 6. Expected outcomes 7. Any additional optional information/document PAGE 22 The WHO Regional Office for Europe The WHO Regional Office for Europe The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations created in 1948 with the primary responsibility for international health matters and public health. The WHO Regional Office for Europe is one of six regional offices throughout the world, each with its own programme geared to the particular health conditions of the countries it serves. Member States Albania Lithuania Andorra Luxembourg Armenia Malta Austria Monaco Azerbaijan Montenegro Belarus Netherlands (Kingdom of the) Belgium North Macedonia Bosnia and Herzegovina Norway Bulgaria Poland Croatia Portugal Cyprus Republic of Moldova Czechia Romania Denmark Russian Federation Estonia San Marino Finland Serbia France Slovakia Georgia Slovenia Germany Spain Greece Sweden Hungary Switzerland Iceland Tajikistan Ireland Türkiye Israel Turkmenistan Italy Ukraine Kazakhstan United Kingdom Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Latvia WHO European Centre for Environment and Health Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1 D-53113 Bonn, Germany Tel.: +49 228 815 0400 Fax: +49 228 815 0440 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.who.int/europe