Event highlights
At the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe – the highest decision-making body of the 53 Member States in the Region – countries sent a clear message: healthy ageing is a shared priority and action must be taken now to make health and care systems fit for the future.
In a dedicated technical session, WHO/Europe presented the progress on the development of the forthcoming WHO European Strategy on Ageing is Living: Promoting a Lifetime of Health and Well-being (2026–2030). The strategy sets out a bold vision, structured around 4 action areas: strengthening prevention, transforming care systems, enabling environments and challenging ageism – all underpinned by equity and human rights.
Member States voiced strong support for the strategic direction and reaffirmed the need for urgent, coordinated and multisectoral action across health and care. Interventions from countries highlighted common priorities:
- making long-term care a cornerstone of resilient health systems
- scaling up community-based and integrated care models
- promoting prevention, mental health and social inclusion in older age
- creating age-friendly environments that support autonomy and participation
- strengthening data, monitoring and accountability for equity and impact.
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, opened the session with a clear reminder of what healthy ageing means in practice: “Ageing is not about decline – it is about living. Healthy ageing means ensuring that older persons are respected, included and supported to contribute meaningfully to families and communities. Dignity never retires and our commitment to older generations must not, either.”
Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director of the Division of Health Systems, underscored the practical orientation of the strategy: “This is not a theoretical exercise. We are co-developing concrete, adaptable actions with Member States – a blueprint that can be owned and implemented to deliver meaningful change.”
This strong endorsement by Member States confirms the momentum for placing healthy ageing high on the political and health agenda in Europe. The strategy builds on broad engagement with civil society, academic experts and subnational authorities to ensure that proposed actions reflect real needs and real systems.
The next step involves formal consultations with Member States, which will take place in early 2026. The final strategy will be submitted for adoption at the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.