On 25–26 November 2026, members of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) will gather in Maynooth, Ireland, for their 16th meeting. The event will be hosted by the Government of Ireland in the context of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Overall scope
Three years after the adoption of the Budapest Declaration and at the midpoint of its Roadmap to 2030, countries and partners will assess how far the Region has come, where progress needs to accelerate and what should come next.
Participants will also consider the links between climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss, resilience and environmental and human security, as well as how misinformation, disinformation and rapid technological change – including digital transformation and artificial intelligence – are shaping responses to these challenges.
Combining plenary discussions with interactive formats, the meeting will:
- take stock of progress in implementing the Budapest commitments, highlighting achievements, identifying remaining gaps and determining where action needs to accelerate;
- look ahead to emerging priorities, considering the scientific, policy and societal developments likely to shape the environment and health agenda in the years ahead;
- consider recent developments in climate and health, including WHO/Europe’s Heat–health action plans guidance and the Call to Action of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health;
- set the direction for the next phase of work by adopting the EHTF Programme of Work for 2026–2027 and identifying priorities for future Bonn Dialogues on Environment and Health;
- facilitate the exchange of experience and perspectives among countries, stakeholders, academia and young people, including through a dedicated session at Maynooth University to bring science and policy into closer dialogue and through practical examples from across the Region;
- present the new WHO environmental health competency framework to support a skilled and resilient workforce;
- strengthen the European Environment and Health Process (EHP) Partnerships by reviewing progress, setting future priorities and widening participation; and
- begin looking ahead to the next Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health.
Background
The EHTF is the leading international body for implementing and monitoring the EHP, the first intergovernmental initiative addressing the most significant environmental threats to human health in the WHO European Region. It provides strategic guidance to support countries in aligning policies and actions on environment and health across the Region.
The EHTF is composed of senior officials from all Member States in the Region and representatives of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations recognized as EHP stakeholders.
The EHTF meets annually in the period between Ministerial Conferences on Environment and Health.