Event highlights
WHO/Europe joined the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Standing Working Group on Ageing (SWGA) on 12 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, to present the ongoing development of the WHO European Strategy on Ageing is Living: Promoting a Lifetime of Health and Well-being (2026–2030).
The Strategy outlines a regional vision for transforming health and social systems to meet the rights and needs of older people, aligned with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) and grounded in multisectoral collaboration and equity.
A shared platform for regional dialogue
The SWGA brings together representatives and focal points from 56 UNECE Member States, including all 53 countries of the WHO European Region as well as Canada, the United States of America and Liechtenstein. The group supports policy coordination and regional monitoring of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and fosters cooperation across social affairs, labour, health and other sectors.
Aligning priorities, advancing action
WHO/Europe’s engagement underscored the urgent need to strengthen the health sector’s role in ageing policy, and the power of working together across ministries and institutions to ensure that ageing is not only about more years of life, but also about better years of life.
“Healthy ageing is not the responsibility of the health sector alone – it calls us to work together across countries, sectors and civil society, aligning priorities and driving joint action that promotes dignity, inclusion and well-being at every age,” expressed Yongjie Yon, Technical Officer at WHO/Europe.
Looking ahead, WHO/Europe is exploring the establishment of a network of national focal points on healthy ageing, primarily from ministries of health, to support implementation of the new Strategy. This would also help strengthen the Region’s participation in forums such as the SWGA, bridging perspectives across sectors and institutions for lasting impact.