Event highlights
Twenty-three WHO collaborating centres (CCs) designated in the Russian Federation met in Moscow to align technical priorities and accelerate progress towards a new phase of WHO’s work in the European Region. The meeting brought together the heads of the centres, representatives of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as WHO/Europe and WHO headquarters.
High-level commitment to cooperation
Opening the meeting, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, highlighted the strategic role of WHO CCs as a unique partnership mechanism. Emphasizing the strength of the network in the Russian Federation, he noted:
“This is not just a number – it represents a powerful network of expertise, knowledge and practical experience that significantly contributes to the implementation of WHO priorities at the national, regional and global levels.”
State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Dr Oleg Salagay underlined the country’s long-standing engagement with WHO and the important contribution of its research and medical institutions to advancing public health at home and abroad.
New horizons: Second European Programme of Work priorities and WHO transformation
The central focus of the meeting was the Second European Programme of Work (EPW2), which sets out WHO’s strategic priorities for the coming years. WHO experts presented priority areas in which CCs can play a more prominent role – from tackling noncommunicable diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles to advancing digital health and strengthening emergency preparedness.
Providing a global perspective, Dr Meg Doherty, Director at the Science for Health Department at WHO headquarters, briefed participants on the WHO transformation process and key takeaways from the recent Global Forum of WHO CCs held in Lyon, France, where attendees committed to expanding the footprint of WHO CCs to fill gaps in the delivery of WHO programmes of work and to better network across thematic areas, regions and countries, thus leveraging the collective expertise in science and research.
WHO CCs in the Russian Federation: 6 decades supporting global health
Russian institutions shared practical experience and lessons learned from international engagement. The history of this partnership goes back more than 60 years, when the first WHO CC in the Soviet Union was established in 1962 at the Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides in Moscow. The vaccine developed by the institute played a crucial role in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Today, the range of CCs in the country covers key WHO priorities: from combating infectious (tuberculosis, influenza, antibiotic resistance) and noncommunicable diseases to strengthening health-care systems, healthy ageing, mental health, palliative care and digital medicine.
The discussion closed with an exchange of views on how to strengthen horizontal ties between centres of various profiles and maximize the impact of the WHO CC network in the country and beyond.
The meeting reaffirmed the role of WHO CCs as a vital link between global knowledge and national action – and as key partners in implementing EPW2 and delivering measurable health gains.