Strengthening health security planning through evidence and risk-based approaches

23 September 2025, 10:30–12:00 (CEST)

The national health security planning landscape is complex and often fragmented, lacking clear alignment between different planning processes and dedicated budgets. To increase efficiency and capitalize on investments made in preparedness and response planning, an integrated One Health approach is necessary, which involves all relevant sectors, stakeholders and different levels in the planning process. Furthermore, political commitment and dedicated funding are fundamental for health security planning. An evidence- and risk-based planning process for health security ideally includes both an all-hazards and a hazard-focused approach.

Balancing both approaches is often challenging but is nevertheless considered the most efficient method to ensure that Member States are prepared to respond to a variety of hazards. This is aligned with the Second European Programme of Work (EPW2) and Preparedness 2.0, WHO/Europe’s regional strategy and action plan for health emergency preparedness, response and resilience.

The objectives of this RC75 side event are to:

• present the current WHO European Region health security planning context and framework;
• share examples of good practice and priorities related to national health security planning; and
• launch a Member States’ consultation on the draft policy brief on health security planning.

This event is part of a series of side events to be held in the weeks preceding the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC75), engaging delegates, partners and health experts on developments, initiatives, tools and new reports relevant to health across the Region.

The event is being organized for Member State representatives, non-State actors, partners, academia and WHO collaborating centres.

Participation in the event is by invitation only.