On 13 September 2010 the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Commission adopted a joint declaration, enhancing policy dialogue and technical cooperation on public health.

The declaration was drafted at the annual meeting of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe which was attended by John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy. It provides the framework of cooperation for the next five years between the two organisations, and it outlines the development of joint systems for health surveillance, alerts and information, and stronger collaboration at country level.

Cooperation between these two organisations has been going since 2001. The issues vary, but include health security, health information, tobacco control, nutrition and obesity, cancer and other non-communicable diseases, environment and health and the strengthening of health systems. The newly-signed joint declaration extends this cooperation to e-Health, health research, innovation in health and education.

The joint declaration urges more cohesive effort to improve health security throughout the WHO European Region.

The need to address the threats of antimicrobial resistance, especially multidrug resistance was underlined. Another area for improved coordination is public health surveillance and strengthening of alert and response systems to allow quicker and more efficient responses to disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Action will also be undertaken to set up a single integrated information system covering the entire WHO European Region. The two organisations will also collaborate to help countries address the consequences of the financial and economic crisis and maximise the health returns of health and non-health investments. The declaration also points out that action must be taken to monitor health inequalities and identify way to minimise them.

More information