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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 Eleventh meeting of the European Environment and EURO/EHTFB11/7 Health Task Force (EHTF) Bureau Budapest, Hungary (hybrid) 21 February 2023 28 February−1 March 2023 Original: English Draft Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health This document presents a proposal for a draft Declaration of the seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, which will be held on 5−7 July 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. The document has been prepared based on the discussions at the twelfth meeting of the EHTF, held in Bonn (hybrid) on 23-24 November 2022, and on the comments received thereafter. All the comments are reported in document EURO/EHTFB11/6: “Annotated table of comments received on the draft Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health.” The EHTF Bureau is invited to review this draft proposal at its eleventh meeting (28 February – 1 March 2023).  Accelerating action for healthier people, a thriving planet, a sustainable future Seventh Ministerial Conference EURO/Budapest2023/XX on Environment and Health Budapest, Hungary 20 February 2023 5−7 July 2023 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH DECLARATION OF THE SEVENTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH Preamble We the ministers and representatives of Member States in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) responsible for health and the environment have come together at the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, generously hosted by the Government of Hungary in Budapest from 5 to 7 July 2023, to accelerate our collective commitment for healthier people, a thriving planet and a sustainable future. Alarmed that, notwithstanding the progress achieved and the improved scientific understanding of the impact of the environment on human health and well-being, persisting environmental risk factors still account for at least 1.4 million premature deaths per year in the European Region. Exposure to ambient and indoor air pollution alone is estimated to cause some 569,000 deaths per year, and to account for approximately a quarter of deaths from stroke and heart disease, 40% of deaths from respiratory diseases and one third of deaths from lung cancer. Concerned that the “triple crisis” brought by the intertwining of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss is causing unprecedented and rapidly unfolding impacts on our lives, threatening human health and well-being, animal health, food systems of our Region; Aware/Mindful that the on-going energy crisis requires a further acceleration of an equitable transition to clean and sustainable energy sources, leaving no-one behind; Mindful of the UN General Assembly’s Resolution 76/300 on access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right, and working towards its fulfilment including by reducing and preventing inequalities in environmental risk exposure and in environmental benefits within our countries; Recognizing that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its convergence with environmental and climate crises exacerbated existing environment and health inequalities between and within countries and highlighted that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and ecosystems at large are closely interdependent, as well as that there is a need to enhance the understanding and evidence on the interlinkages between biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation and the emergence and spread of infectious diseases; European Environment and Health Process (EHP) Secretariat WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION • REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE WHO European Centre for Environment and Health Emphasizing that, in an interconnected, interdependent world, successfully tackling complex, multidimensional challenges requires urgent, inclusive, intersectoral and transformative action for a healthy and sustainable recovery, integrating all sectors, as advocated by the One Health approach; Recognizing the importance of investing in health promoting environments for sustainable development, including both the natural and the built environment, and both outdoor and indoor, to achieve resilient and healthy communities; Acknowledging the pivotal role of local and subnational levels of government in promoting innovation, improving preparedness and strengthening resilience; Stressing the urgent need for intensified action to achieve the objectives of existing international commitments relevant to health, environment and climate, as well as of relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly and the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, including the European Programme of Work 2020-2025, “United Action for Better Health”; Acknowledging the role of the European Green Deal, the EU Global Health Strategy and the EU Regulation in addressing global health threats associated to the impacts of climate change and pollution in the European Union as well as in the pan-European Region and globally; Commending the role played by the European Environment and Health Process as a unique catalyst for setting the policy agenda, an enabler of intersectoral action to address priority environment and health challenges in the European Region, and an accelerator in achieving the environment and health related Sustainable Development Goals, at the halfway mark of the Agenda 2030; Our commitments 1. We commit to accelerating the transition towards resilient, healthy, equitable and sustainable communities, taking into account the lessons learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, by prioritizing action on the most pressing health challenges related to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss and land degradation. For this purpose, we also commit to strengthen governance, human resources and knowledge for health and the environment. 2. In so doing, we will apply a dual track approach., We will step up investments in prevention, preparedness and early detection and response for emergencies to protect all, and enhance the resilience of health systems and their capacity to respond to disasters and crises. At the same time, we will continue to prevent and address the health effects of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss and land degradation. To this end, we will ensure universal and equitable access to essential services, such as energy, water, sanitation and hygiene, waste management, as well as healthy and sustainable transport., We will act through the built environment for a healthy and just transition to a more resilient and sustainable world. 3. To enable such acceleration, we commit to implement the “Roadmap for healthier people, a thriving planet and a sustainable future 2023-2030” as an integral part of this Declaration. 4. We reaffirm the commitments taken in the 2017 Ostrava Declaration, “Better Health, Better Environment, Sustainable Choices”, including to develop and implement national portfolios for action on environment and health, as well as the continued relevance of the priorities identified therein. Promoting partnerships for joint action 5. We commit to intensify efforts to come together with relevant partners and stakeholders to strengthen implementation of our commitments. Therefore, we establish the “EHP Partnerships”, as a new, flexible implementation mechanism to accelerate the uptake of new approaches, promote peer-to-peer support, share knowledge and experiences, provide a platform for communities of practice and increase opportunities for twinning (see Annex II, Terms of Reference for the EHP Partnerships). 6. We will support and promote the activities of the EHTF and of its Bureau, as drivers for implementing the commitments taken in this Declaration. 7. [To accelerate and document progress, inspire action and showcase good practices and achievements, we will develop and launch the Campaign for Resilience and Building Forward Better for Health and the Environment in 2024.] 8. We will continue to promote the effective engagement of civil society, academia, the private sector, local communities and all other relevant stakeholders in the decision-making process at all levels. We will strengthen the means and further develop tools for communication, awareness raising and literacy, to increase access to information on and public participation in environment and health decision-making. 9. To better tailor action to national priorities, we will strengthen the engagement with relevant subregional platforms, such as the WHO Western Balkans and Central Asia Roadmaps for health and well-being, the Small Countries Initiative as well as other subregional mechanisms. 10. We will leverage multilateral agreements and platforms, such as the Protocol on Water and Health, the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme and the Convention on Long- Range Transboundary Air Pollution to accelerate the implementation of the commitments taken by this Declaration. 11. We will support and empower international youth organizations such as the European Environment and Health and Youth Coalition (EEHYC), as well as youth organizations at the national and local levels, to make their action more relevant in policymaking and implementation. 12. We will convene a meeting in 2027 to assess progress achieved against the time-bound commitments we have taken through the Roadmap; we will convene the next Environment and Health Ministerial Conference [by 2030]. 13. We commit to support these commitments, including by making every effort to mobilize the necessary resources nationally and internationally, and call upon the governing bodies of WHO and UNECE to also support these efforts. 14. We express our gratitude to the government of Hungary for hosting this Conference and we wish to thank both the government and the people of Hungary for their warm hospitality. Signed in Budapest, Hungary on 7 July 2023  ANNEX 1 ROADMAP FOR HEALTHIER PEOPLE, A THRIVING PLANET AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 2023-2030 This Roadmap is an integral part of the Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. It describes a set of concrete actions and commitments that are meant to support accelerated progress to prevent and address the health effects posed by climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss and land degradation, as well as to strengthening governance, human resources and knowledge for health and the environment. The Roadmap also recognizes the role of the built environment as an enabler for action, as well as the need to continue the pursuit of important dimensions of the environment and health agenda, including the universal and equitable provision of essential, resilient, environmentally sustainable health-determining services, such as energy, water, sanitation and hygiene, waste and wastewater management and healthy and sustainable transport as paramount to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO European Region. A. Prioritizing action to tackle the most pressing health challenges related to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss and land degradation Climate change We are alarmed that over the period 1991–2021 temperatures in Europe have warmed at an average rate of about 0.5 °C per decade, more than twice the global average, making this the fastest-warming region1, and recognize the urgent need to act on climate change impacts to human health. 1. We will take urgent actions to strengthen and implement effective mitigation and adaptation policies that directly address human health, bringing a wealth of co-benefits to health and society. 2. We commit to building, developing and maintaining climate resilient, low-carbon and environmentally sustainable health systems. We will set and communicate national targets in line with the COP26 Health Programme’s commitments, which evolved into the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH). [We commit to joining the Alliance by 2026.] We further commit to leverage the community of practice of the countries that have signed up to the COP26 Health Programme. In so doing, we will consider sub-regional specificities while focussing on the countries with the greatest vulnerability to climate change. 3. We commit to developing and updating Health National Adaptation Plans (H-NAPs), either as stand-alone documents or integrated as part of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), by 2026. 4. We commit to intensify action to prevent the health impacts of extreme heat by ensuring that health systems are prepared for periods of extreme heat, adapting urban planning to address the impacts of urban heat islands, and developing heat health action plans that set out regulatory requirements and local measures to prevent the impacts of heat. 1 World Meteorological Organization State of the Climate in Europe report for 2021 5. We will leverage the Health in Climate Change (HIC) working group, in the framework of the European Environmental and Health Task Force (EHTF), as a platform for sharing experiences and innovations, promoting tools, communicating evidence and showcasing good practices in climate change and health, and fostering partnerships among countries and stakeholders. 6. We will liaise with and make use of the results becoming available from recent large-scale research and innovation-related actions and policy initiatives launched in Europe, such as the European Climate and Health Observatory. 7. We will update regulatory requirements and intensify action towards ensuring the climate resilience of water and sanitation services for all, and ensure the safe reuse of wastewater. 8. We will convene a High-Level Conference on climate, health and water scarcity in 2024, to review existing practices and formulate policy recommendations. 9. We commit to strengthen natural disaster risk reduction policies and early-warning surveillance and preparedness systems for extreme weather events and climate-sensitive disease outbreaks. 10. We will advocate the health argument of climate change mitigation and adaptation across all policies, including by using tools that quantify the health, economic and social gains. Pollution We recognize the urgent need to intensify efforts to reduce the burden of the non-communicable diseases caused by pollution of water, soil and air and exposure to hazardous chemicals. 11. We commit to using the WHO global air quality guidelines to guide our policies and actions, including revising and setting stricter air quality standards. 12. We are committed to scrutinize indoor air quality, with particular focus on ventilation systems in schools, building materials, and air quality in energetically retrofitted housing. 13. We remain committed to supporting the transition to equitable access to sustainable renewable energy, recognizing its crucial role in reducing air pollution, mitigating climate change, and delivering the resulting multiple health benefits. 14. We commit to strengthening our capacities and systems to monitor and assess the health effects of air pollution, taking advantage of the existing platforms, like the Joint Task Force on Health Aspects of Air Pollution under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, and tools. 15. We recognize that chemicals in our environment and our daily lives cause a multitude of health risks, ranging from acute emergencies to long-term effects such as cancer, impaired reproduction and development, endocrine disruption, or negative impacts on the immune system. The fast introduction of new chemicals, products and technologies poses a challenge, as does the complexity involved in the risk assessment of chemicals and their mixtures. We support adequate regulation and international Conventions and the greater involvement of the health sector in sound chemicals and hazardous waste management frameworks. 16. We welcome the Resolution on the establishment of a Science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution, adopted by the Fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, and we call upon WHO to play an active role in that process. 17. We support the Fifth Meeting of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), 25-29 September 2023, and its ambition towards a new framework for the sound management of chemicals and waste, and we will contribute to the implementation of the ICCM5 recommendations. 18. We recognize the need to address the release of antimicrobials in the environment, which can lead to accelerating the development of resistant micro-organisms and corresponding health risks for people and animals. 19. We commit to pursuing a dual-track approach, stepping up our capacities to address long-term risks posed by chemicals to health and environment, as well as acute events and emergencies, applying a precautionary principle with the aim to strengthen environment and health policies to minimize both. 20. We commit to promoting, establishing and/or upgrading national poison centres in line with relevant WHO Guidelines by 2030. We promote the creation of an international toxicovigilance network to share and promote experiences on toxicology and be able to target the risks associated with new practices and products. 21. We promote the establishment and use of human biomonitoring as an effective instrument to help guide policies and actions to prevent health impacts caused by chemicals through exposure reduction. We welcome the establishment of a Partnership on Human Biomonitoring, as an innovative regional mechanism to monitor exposure to chemicals and their mixtures, to share data and to contribute to risk assessments on chemicals. We will liaise with major research and innovations initiatives such as the European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) and take stock of the developments in the area of human biomonitoring. 22. We will develop appropriate systems to safely manage health care waste to prevent infectious and non-infectious risks for human health and the environmental pollution. We commit to adopting the core principles of the WHO guidelines on safe management of wastes from health-care activities in strengthening national regulations and standards and their enforcement in practice. Biodiversity loss and land degradation Rapidly accumulating science-based evidence has shown the interconnections between the environment and the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, livestock and plants. The natural environment provides many benefits to health through essential ecosystem services, for example exposure to quality green and blue spaces for mental and physical health, clean water and air, healthy food. Its integrity is threatened by unsustainable land-use and over-exploitation of natural resources, leading to increased frequency of epidemics, zoonoses and vector-borne diseases, enhanced vulnerability to pandemics and loss of biodiversity. In addition, the impact of climate change on the distribution of species, including disease vectors, enhances the risks posed by certain pathogens and allergies in the European region. 23. There is a growing need to utilize nature-based solutions to address the triple crisis, as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human health and well-being, ecosystem resilience and biodiversity benefits. 24. We welcome the decision by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/DEC/15/29) that integrates health and biodiversity in a manner that highlights the interconnectedness between human health and health of nature. 25. We will include nature, biodiversity and health in our National Portfolios for action on for environment and health. We will stimulate collaboration between the ministries working on health, nature and biodiversity, and with all stakeholders who have an impact on nature and biodiversity, including those responsible for industry, infrastructure, agriculture and forestry, preferably through collaborative programmes. 26. We will promote and strengthen the integration of the environmental dimension in “One Health”, assessing and strengthening capacities to operationalize One Health, including with respect to climate change, zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, and appraising the adequacy of monitoring and surveillance systems to guide risk assessment, prevention, preparedness, early detection and response. 27. We will develop a regional operational plan of action on “One Health”, promote the integration of biodiversity parameters and monitoring within the “One Health approach”, exchange experiences and good practises, and strengthen collaboration and coordination, in particular with the CBD, by making use of the already planned High-Level Conference on One Health in early 2024. In so doing, we will be inspired by the One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-2026) launched by the One Health Quadripartite which provides a set of activities that aim to strengthen collaboration, communication, capacity building, and coordination across all sectors responsible for addressing health concerns at the human-animal-plant-environment interface;2 28. We underline the impact of [pollen and fungal spores]/[biological particles] on health, and the increasing risk of invasive species, mainly due to agricultural practices, biodiversity loss and climate change. We commit to reinforce ambient air quality monitoring to better inform susceptible people on the level of risk. We will develop, using a One Health approach, the fight against invasive species dangerous for health and biodiversity. 29. We will continue investing towards the enhancement of research and scientific information on the interlinkages between the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity loss and the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. B. Providing essential services and acting through the built environment for a healthy and just transition in a more resilient world We recognize that the built environment is both part of the problem and part of the solution. We will strive for rethinking and reshaping the built environment to increase human settlements’ resilience to environment and health threats, including climate change and pollution, especially by addressing the urban heat island phenomenon and the indoor environment, regenerating/ refurbishing previously developed land and brownfields, preserving green fields and green belts around urban areas, and promoting nature-based solutions, with respect to equity issues. 30. We recognize the central role of safe water, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH) as the first line of defence in preventing the spread of infectious disease and strengthening resilience against 2 The Quadripartite consists of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE).  future pandemics and shocks. We will therefore ensure universal and equitable access to safe WASH services for all in all settings – in communities, health care facilities, schools and workplaces – and adequate hand hygiene provisions in public places. In doing so, we commit to adopt risk-based approaches, such as water and sanitation safety plans in accordance with the WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality and on sanitation and health. We will promote continuous investment in establishing and maintaining safe WASH services, which also bring clear benefits for a healthy and green recovery from the pandemic. 31. We will ensure the safe management of wastewater along the entire sanitation service chain from collection of human waste to treatment to disposal and/or reuse of wastewater. We commit to reduce the amount of untreated or insufficiently treated wastewater released into the environment. 32. We commit to strengthen and maintain core public health capacities for surveillance of environment and health threats and for the effective response to outbreaks and incidents. We will establish and maintain systems for environmental surveillance of disease agents in wastewater. 33. We will work in close partnership with cities and regions to support green, equitable and sustainable investments, including developing healthy and sustainable transport and urban planning, reduced soil sealing in urban areas, more green and blue spaces, nature-based solutions and circular economy approaches, to the benefit of all citizens. To accelerate action, we will make use of existing planning tools such as environmental assessment and support the integration of health assessment in planning procedures. We will further leverage the WHO Healthy Cities Network and the Regions for Health Network to develop demonstration projects and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences. 34. We will develop national policies and strategies to promote active mobility and we will create safe infrastructures to stimulate a healthier and more liveable environment, while reducing inequalities, in and between cities and rural areas, implementing the Vienna Declaration on “Building forward better by transforming to new, clean, safe, healthy and inclusive mobility and transport”. 35. We appreciate the work done by the working group on Collaboration of Local and Subnational Authorities (CoLSA), instituted at the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, to advance cooperation between different levels of decision-making in environment and health. [To make its work more agile and open to a broader group of interested stakeholders, we agree to turn the CoLSA working group into an EHP Partnership.] C. Strengthening governance, intersectoral collaboration, human resources and knowledge for health and environment We recognize the need for a transformative change that enhances 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. 36. We request WHO to support national multisectoral policy dialogues, exchanges of experiences among countries and in-country action, with the aim to facilitate the implementation of commitments in this Declaration, and to make evidence-based guidance and tools available through a web portal. 37. We commit to strengthening mechanisms and tools for intersectoral collaboration with the aim of mainstreaming environment and health into the overall political agenda and boosting environmental health expertise at all levels of our governments. We commit ourselves to taking significant health effects into account in the assessment of proposals under the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessments as well as under the Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context. 38. We request WHO to convene a Senior/Executive officers meeting on Governance and Capacities for Environment and Health by the end of 2024, to foster the identification of good practices in intersectoral collaboration and the exchange of information on enablers and barriers to sustainable and equitable development at the national level and make funding for this available to WHO. 39. We pledge to promote effective and inclusive access to information and public participation in decision-making and access to justice on environmental matters that impact health. 40. We will advocate to reviewing, updating and prioritizing national education and training programmes for environment and health by 2027, and to periodically evaluating and revising the curricula, in collaboration with relevant ministries and national partners. 41. We will promote establishing learning programmes for environmental health as a priority area in education and training policies and programmes, in order to provide learners of all ages access to high-quality and inclusive education and training on health impacts of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. 42. We will encourage and support whole institution approaches to sustainability which encompass teaching and learning; developing visions, planning and governance; active involvement of students and staff; management of buildings and resources and partnerships with local and wider communities. 43. We will consider closer collaboration with programmes and projects carried out by the European Union, including addressing shortages of professionals and skills, education and training, as well as innovative research initiatives on established and emerging environment and health risks. 44. We will leverage the Bonn School on Environment and Health to coordinate an initiative to review the existing professional profiles for environment and health and produce recommendations for Member States’ consideration by the end of 2024. 45. We will critically assess our monitoring, surveillance and risk assessment frameworks for environment and health [by 2026] to identify scientific and other gaps, promote scientific research in addressing these gaps, ensure that they are adapted to the existing and emerging threats and needs, and enable the identification of inequalities and most affected population groups. We commit to developing shared early warning/integrated information systems, identifying and disseminating effective actions. 46. [We will convene an international conference and exhibition to showcase and demonstrate the real- life application to environment and health policymaking of new and emerging methods, tools and approaches, such as complex system analysis, behavioural and cultural science, artificial intelligence, digital approaches, big data, exposome, citizen science]. 47. [We welcome the initiative of countries in the Aral Sea basin to establish appropriate environment and health information systems and to work together to address the environment and health priorities of that subregion.]  ANNEX 2 TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE EHP PARTNERSHIPS I. Introduction The EHP has been addressing the key environment and health challenges of our time for over 30 years. During this period there have seen various achievements, which give grounds for optimism, however, many problems remain unsolved and new challenges have emerged. Addressing the existing and emerging challenges requires additional, strong joint action, as well as a recognition that different countries have different environment and health priorities, which reflect country-specific political, economic, social, cultural and natural conditions. At the seventh Ministerial Conference, environment and health ministers are expected to take decisions about how to move from policy to action, identifying concrete mechanisms to improve coordination and cooperation. To this aim, it is proposed that the seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health will launch a new agile thematic action-oriented mechanism – the EHP Partnership − to facilitate the implementation of the commitments on environment and health. II. Scope and purpose of the EHP Partnership The EHP Partnership would serve three main purposes: 1. to provide the EHP with an effective and flexible mechanism to support the implementation of its commitments at national and international level by fostering collaboration and exchange of knowledge among partners interested in addressing together specific environment and health challenges; 2. to strengthen ownership among potential partners, who would be closely involved in the work to be carried out under the umbrella of the Partnership; 3. to facilitate the mobilization of human and financial resources for the implementation of concrete activities at the national, sub-regional and regional level. The Partnerships can bring together countries and other partners in their efforts to implement the Budapest Declaration and the biannual programme of work for the EHTF. The activities under the Partnerships could include projects, capacity-building, trainings, events, dissemination and uptake of relevant WHO norms and standards, as well as of tools and methods for assessing the health effects of environmental risk factors and monitor progress in addressing them, identification of good practices and documentation of case-studies. In the framework of the Partnerships, stakeholders from countries interested in addressing specific challenges would collaborate with other like-minded countries, providing each other with technical support, sharing knowledge and experiences, including on institutional strengthening. The EHP Partnerships would entail the following main functions: a) Implementing and disseminating guidance, methods, tools and training packages for integrated approaches in health and environment policy making; b) Fostering capacity building and training and the exchange of know-how and expertise, possibly with a focus on the needs of low and middle-income countries;  c) Providing technical assistance at the national and sub-national level for the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated policy approaches and the application of developed guidance, methods and tools; d) Exploring the feasibility of project-related sub-regional cooperation including the joint use of technical facilities and expertise; e) Developing supportive material, promoting research and dissemination of results; f) Providing international advocacy and cooperation; g) Supporting information sharing and increased visibility of the EHP. EHP Partnerships will not duplicate existing structures or processes but aim at establishing optimal synergies and closing the gaps. III. The EHP Partnerships governance The EHP Partnerships are established by a decision of the EHTF and operate under the EHTF. To facilitate such a decision the interested partners, in collaboration with the Secretariat, will prepare a Partnership Description using a form provided below in the Annex and present it to the EHTF for approval. Based on practical experience and in view of the potential proposals of new Partnerships coming out during the intersessional period between the annual EHTF meetings, the EHTF could entrust the EHTF Bureau to approve them on its behalf. 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 EHP3. All partners commit to actively participating in partnership activities in accordance with their respective needs and capacities. New members could join the Partnership at any stage. In such case, the Partnership Description will be amended and the EHTF will be informed about it. The lead country/s and/or organisation/s will regularly report to the EHTF of progress achieved. Between the EHTF sessions, the lead country/s and/or organisation/s will have full authority to manage and steer the work of the Partnership, in particular, the lead country/s and/or organisation/s are expected to: • establish and maintain contacts with partnerships’ members, including Member States, intergovernmental, non-governmental and other organizations; • identify and engage relevant experts, who would support its work; • organize Partnership meetings and follow-up activities; • prepare agendas, technical documents, meeting reports and publications; • draft relevant background documents for the EHTF and its Bureau; • present the work of the Partnership in relevant intergovernmental events; • support fund raising activities. WHO secretariat will support the Partnerships by making available relevant guidance, methods, and tools. The WHO could also consider contributing by relevant expertise and technical support. 3 Participation of non-state actors may be subject to an assessment in line with the WHO Framework for Engagement with Non-state Actors. English, French, Russian and German are the working languages of the WHO/Europe. Translation and interpretation arrangements can be flexible and tailored to specific needs and availability of funding. The same applies to the funding of the participants attending meetings and events of the partnership in person. Annex: EHP Partnership Description Form 1. Name of the Partnership 2. Scope 3. Objectives 4. Leading country and/or organization 5. List of partners 6. Target groups 7. Relation to the EHTF programme of work and/or the objectives of the Budapest Declaration 8. Work plan and expected outcomes 9. Expected financial arrangements 10. Any additional optional information/document 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 Eleventh meeting of the European Environment and EURO/EHTFB11/8 Health Task Force (EHTF) Bureau Budapest, Hungary (hybrid) 21 February 2023 28 February‒1 March 2023 Original: English Draft provisional programme of the Ministerial Conference Accelerating action for healthier people, a thriving planet, a sustainable future Seventh Ministerial Conference EURO/Budapest2023/X on Environment and Health Budapest, Hungary XX 2022 5−7 July 2023 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Draft provisional programme Map of Conference venue  EURO/Budapest2023/4 page 2 Tuesday, 4 July 2023 Arrival in Budapest and hotel transfer from the airport 08:00–17:00 Registration 10:00-13:00 Possible technical site visits 14:00 Opening of exhibitions 15:00-17:00 Special session of the European Environment and Health Task Force Possible multi-stakeholder workshop/Youth segment 17:00-18:00 Networking lounge Wednesday, 5 July 2023 08:00–08:30 Transfers to the Conference venue 08:00-17:00 Registration 09:30–10:45 Side events 1 11:00-12:15 Side events 12:00-12:30 Press conference 12:30-13:30 Welcome lunch 13:30-15:00 Opening of the Seventh Ministerial Conference Video/performance Speakers: • President of Hungary • Minister of Interior, Hungary • WHO Regional Director for Europe • UNECE Executive Secretary (tbc) • UNEP Deputy Executive Director (tbc) A celebrity (tbc) 15:00-15:30 Coffee break In parallel: Family photograph 15:30-16:30 Presidential Panel (to be confirmed) • 1 Total number of slots available for side events to be confirmed based on the venue capabilities (interpretation in English and Russian tbc)  EURO/Budapest2023/4 page 3 16:30-18:00 Plenary Session 1 Tackling the “triple crisis” while building “forward” from the COVID-19 pandemic Short video Moderator • Keynote speaker • Panelists • 18:00-20:00 Transfers from Conference to hotels and to the reception venue 20:00 Evening reception hosted by Hungary Thursday, 6 July 2023 08:00–08:30 Transfers to the Conference venue 08:00–17:00 Registration 09:00–10:30 Plenary session 2 Tackling the “triple crisis”: strengthening health resilience to climate change Short video Moderator • Keynote speaker • Panelists • 10:30–11:00 Coffee break 11:00–12:30 Plenary session 3 Tackling the “triple crisis”: addressing the health effects of environmental pollution Short video Moderator • Keynote speaker • Panelists • 12:30–14:30 Lunch break  EURO/Budapest2023/4 page 4 Ministerial lunch for Heads of Delegations 13:00-14:15 Side events 14:30–16:00 Plenary session 4 Tackling the “triple crisis”: understanding the links between health, nature and biodiversity Short video Moderator • Keynote speaker • Panelists • 16:00–16:30 Coffee break 16:30-18:00 Plenary session 5 Providing essential services and acting through the built environment for a healthy and just transition Moderator • Setting the scene • Panelists • 18:00-20:00 Transfers from Conference to hotels and to the reception venue 20:00 Evening reception hosted by WHO Regional Office for Europe Friday, 7 July 2023 08:00–08:30 Transfers to the Conference venue 08:00–12:00 Registration 09:00–10:00 Plenary session 6 Strengthening governance, intersectoral collaboration, human resources and knowledge for health and environment Moderator • Keynote speaker • Panelists • 10:00–10:30 Coffee break  EURO/Budapest2023/4 page 5 10:30–12:00 Plenary session 7 Promoting partnerships for joint action Launch of the EHP Partnerships Moderator • Keynote speaker • Panelists • 12:00-13:30 Closing of the Seventh Ministerial Conference: • Adoption of the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health 13:30–14:30 Farewell lunch 15:00-19:00 Possible technical site visits/excursions 15:00-19:00 Transfers from Conference venue to hotels and airport Online consultations on the engagement of Small Countries Initiative in the 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health 03 April 2023 10:00 -11:30 am CET Join Zoom Meeting JOIN ZOOM MEETING HTTPS://WHO.ZOOM.US/J/91366045548 MEETING ID: 913 6604 5548 PASSCODE: SCI-EH23! Scope and purpose The Small Countries Initiative (SCI), established in 2013, is a platform through which 11 Member States in the WHO European Region with 2 million inhabitants or fewer work together to address common public health issues. The participating countries are Andorra, Cyprus, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and Slovenia. In 2022, the Roadmap towards better health in small countries in the WHO European Region, 2022–2025 was endorsed at the Eighth High-level Meeting of the SCI in Bečići, Montenegro. The roadmap emphasises intensified action on climate change, the environment and health, in cooperation with existing mechanisms. Towards the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health The European Environment and Health Process (EHP) provides a unique intersectoral policy platform that brings together relevant sectors to address and shape policies and actions on environment and health. This high-level platform supports the implementation of effective evidence-based policies and advances actions that promote the health, well-being, and environment in the WHO European Region. The Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health will take place in Budapest on 5-7 July 2023 and will be the highest forum for ministries of health and environment from across the WHO European Region to agree on innovative policies that will ensure the long-term health and well-being of our people and the environments in which they live. In preparation for the Budapest Conference, we are organizing a meeting with SCI and EHP Focal Points to update, engage and understand country needs with regard to environment and health. Specific input into the Conference Declaration will be solicited from small countries in an effort to reflect their unique environment and health vulnerabilities and challenges. Provisional programme Page 2 The aims of the meeting are to: ₋ present to the SCI the Environment and Health Process and the upcoming Environment and Health Ministerial Conference; ₋ better understand the small countries’ environment and health vulnerabilities and challenges; ₋ get country input into the Budapest Declaration and discuss follow-up ₋ discuss opportunities and interest to participate in the conference at the political level Expected outcomes: ₋ SCI focal points informed about the Budapest Conference and encouraged to liaise with their country counterparts in charge of environment and health policies; ₋ An understanding of small countries’ environment and health vulnerabilities and challenges; ₋ Small countries’ specific input into the Conference Declaration and follow up defined. Provisional programme 10:00 - 10:10 Opening / Welcome and scope of the Francesca Racioppi, meeting Head of Office, European Centre for (10 mins) Environment and Health (ECEH), Bonn Bettina Menne, Coordinator, Healthy Settings, WHO EURO 10:10 - 10:30 Presentation of the process leading up to Massimo Cozzone, ECEH, WHO EURO the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Nino Sharashidze, ECEH, WHO EURO (20 mins) Environment and Health, the Budapest Declaration and the EHP Partnership 10:30 – 11:15 Feedback from the small countries on: Bettina Menne, Coordinator, Healthy - Key EH vulnerabilities and Settings challenges Leda Nemer, WHO EURO - Engagement into the EHP conference and EHP partnerships Countries a. Andorra, b. Cyprus, c. Estonia, d. Iceland, e. Latvia, f. Luxembourg, g. Malta, h. Monaco, i. Montenegro, j. San Marino and k. Slovenia 11:15-11:30 Next Steps & Closure Francesca Racioppi, Head of Office, European Centre for Environment and Health (ECEH) Bonn Bettina Menne, Coordinator, Healthy Settings, WHO EURO