WHO RC75 - EU Statement - Item 8 A strategy for child and adolescent health and well-being in the WHO European Region, 2026–2030

Honourable chair,

Distinguished Regional Director,

Excellencies,

Dear colleagues,

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union and its 27 Member States.

Today, our region faces persistent and emerging child and adolescent health challenges, such as: stagnating child and adolescent mortality, slow progress in reducing adolescent birth rates, declining immunization coverage, increased developmental risks, high prevalence of overweight and obesity, harmful substance use and increasing mental health issues among young people. These challenges can notably be addressed by improving quality and access to child and adolescent-friendly health care, supporting breastfeeding and healthy diets, promoting physical activity, and implementing effective tobacco, nicotine and alcohol control policies.

The EU is convinced that investing in the health and well-being of children and adolescents is not only essential to fulfil their rights, but also one of the most effective ways to build resilient, equitable and prosperous societies. Early, sustained and evidence-based actions prevent long-term health burdens, improve educational outcomes, safeguard human capital and reduce inequalities caused or affected by social determinants. Early behavioral approaches are key in preventing chronic non-communicable diseases in later life.

The EU and its Member States highlight four strategic priorities:

• Investing strategically in the health and well-being of children and adolescents for positive and lasting outcomes, with a special focus on the most vulnerable to poor mental and physical health and well-being due to their socioeconomic and situational circumstances.

• Strengthening health systems by providing accessible, comprehensive and equitable high-quality health care, and preventive services from the prenatal and neonatal period to adolescence.

• Considering regulations, as appropriate and in line with national contexts, to protect children and adolescents from the harmful effects of commercial goods and services, and counter disinformation through access to comprehensive and validated scientific information, including on sexual and reproductive health and vaccine safety.

• Fostering multisectoral mobilization through health-promoting schools, and educational settings, parental and caregiver support, fostering inclusive communities, social protection and healthy environments, including healthy food environments and safe spaces for sports and leisure, to promote physical activity and increase inclusion.

WHO Europe plays a central role in supporting, guiding and coordinating these efforts. We welcome the new Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being (2026–2030), developed jointly with UNICEF, and commend the Regional Office for driving this agenda. Implementation of this Strategy is in line with EPW2 and will ensure consistency and maximize impact. We commend UNICEF and WHO for having developed a joint Strategy and recognize this as a concrete step toward more coherent engagement across the UN system. In this spirit, we emphasize the importance of partnering with UNFPA to further strengthen the coherence and impact of UN support for child and adolescent health.

As accountability is key, the EU and its Member States strongly support a robust monitoring framework, to be agreed by Member States, ensuring transparency, in order to assess the ongoing effectiveness of the implemented measures.

The EU and its Member States stand ready to work with all partners, including with the participation of children and young people themselves, and draw on this Strategy to deliver tangible results for healthier generations and a stronger future for our region.

Thank you.