Invitation

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark

Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 5 February 2025 Ms Helen Sõber Adviser European Union Affairs and International Co- operation Department Ministry of Social Affairs Suur-Ameerika 1 10122 Tallinn Estonia

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Dear Ms Sõber, Virtual meeting on the transformative potential of genomics and precision medicine

29 April 2025 I have the honour and pleasure of announcing the upcoming virtual meeting on the transformative potential of genomics and precision medicine, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. It will take place via Zoom on 29 April 2025 from 09:30am – 14:30pm CET. This meeting aims to bring together key stakeholders in the health sector to explore the significant opportunities genomics offers for improving health systems. It also aims to facilitate discussion on strengthening public health infrastructure, enhancing genomic literacy, and providing training for health-care professionals to develop advanced molecular diagnostics and targeted treatment pathways. The overall objectives are to foster equitable access to precision medicine and to ensure that innovations in this field are accessible and affordable to all who need them. Please appoint up to two experts to attend this meeting, at which initiatives and strategies for collaboration and innovation will be discussed. We invite advance registration of participants, who will join online, using this link: https://who.zoom.us/meeting/register/7JimaeiCRkahycZh5bSx2w Kindly also confirm the nominated delegates’ online attendance, to [email protected] at the latest by 15 March 2025. The working language for the meeting will be English with simultaneous Russian interpretation available virtually, and the provisional programme will be shared in due course. The responsible technical focal point for the meeting is Dr Tarang Sharma, Technical Officer, Access to Medicines and Health Products, Division of Country Health Policies and Systems ([email protected]).

– 2 –

We look forward to receiving your kind feedback. Sincerely yours,

Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat Director Division of Country Health Policies and Systems WHO Regional Office for Europe Encls:

• Scope and purpose Copy for information to: Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia, Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE

ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Genomics and Precision medicine Virtual consultation 29 April 2025

1/2 05 February 2025 Original: English

Scope and purpose

Background Genomics and precision medicine offers great potential for increasing the efficiency of health systems – from clinical prevention, through early detection and screening, to targeted treatment for specific subgroups, avoidance of treating non-responders, rehabilitation, and palliative care. However, implementing it requires a transformation of health services and significant resources; but investing now will lead to savings later. Leveraging the work initiated by the WHO/Europe Access to Novel Medicines Platform and aligned with the new Regional Strategy on “Harnessing innovation for public health in the WHO European Region 2025–2030” and the “Framework for resilient and sustainable health systems in the WHO European Region 2025–2030”, the proposed European Programme of Work (EPW) 2.0 will prioritize smart investment in and support equitable access to genomics and precision medicine in the WHO European Region.

This new area of work for WHO/ Europe aims to support the equitable access to genomics and precision medicine in our Region through strengthening public health infrastructure and investing in genomic literacy and training for healthcare professionals to develop reliable, advanced molecular diagnostics and targeted treatment pathways, with particular focus on rare diseases and cancer. We hope this paves a new pathway for support to countries in appropriate investment in genomics, that could bring about much needed change and transformation creating sustainable and efficient health systems in Europe that are future proof, where innovations are available, accessible to and affordable by all that need them.

Consultation objectives On 29 April 2025, Access to Medicines and Health Products, WHO Regional Office for Europe, will host the first expert consultation on genomics and precision medicine for the WHO European Region. The aim of this meeting is to set the direction and strategy for genomics and precision medicine in our Region for the next five years (2025-2030) by:

• identifying needs and priorities from across the Member States in our diverse Region, and where WHO Europe’s support is most sought, valued and needed;

• receiving input and guidance from experts on the key next steps we should take together along with all relevant stakeholders;

• facilitating peer learning through development of potential sub-regional hubs that create communities of mutual support that enable the development of sustainable and future-proof health systems, and

Scope and purpose page 2

• providing a forum to share the progress on the work till date and an opportunity to shape and co- create the development of these initiatives.

Format This virtual event will facilitate knowledge sharing, strategic discussion, and collaborative planning on genomics and precision medicine in the WHO European Region. The format includes a mix of presentations, moderated discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions to encourage active participation and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and the steps needed for bringing equitable access to our Region.

Participants This virtual event will bring together all nominated focal points from the 53 Member States of our Region with academic and international experts, civil society and patient organizations actively working in this discipline to bring about transformation. It will also include delegates from the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, to ensure we are working in collaboration for building trust and equitable access in our Region.

UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark

Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ

Date: 5 February 2025 Ms Helen Sõber Adviser European Union Affairs and International Co- operation Department Ministry of Social Affairs Suur-Ameerika 1 10122 Tallinn Estonia

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE

REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Head office:

UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.who.int/europe

Dear Ms Sõber, Virtual meeting on the transformative potential of genomics and precision medicine

29 April 2025 I have the honour and pleasure of announcing the upcoming virtual meeting on the transformative potential of genomics and precision medicine, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. It will take place via Zoom on 29 April 2025 from 09:30am – 14:30pm CET. This meeting aims to bring together key stakeholders in the health sector to explore the significant opportunities genomics offers for improving health systems. It also aims to facilitate discussion on strengthening public health infrastructure, enhancing genomic literacy, and providing training for health-care professionals to develop advanced molecular diagnostics and targeted treatment pathways. The overall objectives are to foster equitable access to precision medicine and to ensure that innovations in this field are accessible and affordable to all who need them. Please appoint up to two experts to attend this meeting, at which initiatives and strategies for collaboration and innovation will be discussed. We invite advance registration of participants, who will join online, using this link: https://who.zoom.us/meeting/register/7JimaeiCRkahycZh5bSx2w Kindly also confirm the nominated delegates’ online attendance, to [email protected] at the latest by 15 March 2025. The working language for the meeting will be English with simultaneous Russian interpretation available virtually, and the provisional programme will be shared in due course. The responsible technical focal point for the meeting is Dr Tarang Sharma, Technical Officer, Access to Medicines and Health Products, Division of Country Health Policies and Systems ([email protected]).

– 2 –

We look forward to receiving your kind feedback. Sincerely yours,

Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat Director Division of Country Health Policies and Systems WHO Regional Office for Europe Encls:

• Scope and purpose Copy for information to: Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia, Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE

WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE

ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО

Genomics and Precision medicine Virtual consultation 29 April 2025

1/2 05 February 2025 Original: English

Scope and purpose

Background Genomics and precision medicine offers great potential for increasing the efficiency of health systems – from clinical prevention, through early detection and screening, to targeted treatment for specific subgroups, avoidance of treating non-responders, rehabilitation, and palliative care. However, implementing it requires a transformation of health services and significant resources; but investing now will lead to savings later. Leveraging the work initiated by the WHO/Europe Access to Novel Medicines Platform and aligned with the new Regional Strategy on “Harnessing innovation for public health in the WHO European Region 2025–2030” and the “Framework for resilient and sustainable health systems in the WHO European Region 2025–2030”, the proposed European Programme of Work (EPW) 2.0 will prioritize smart investment in and support equitable access to genomics and precision medicine in the WHO European Region.

This new area of work for WHO/ Europe aims to support the equitable access to genomics and precision medicine in our Region through strengthening public health infrastructure and investing in genomic literacy and training for healthcare professionals to develop reliable, advanced molecular diagnostics and targeted treatment pathways, with particular focus on rare diseases and cancer. We hope this paves a new pathway for support to countries in appropriate investment in genomics, that could bring about much needed change and transformation creating sustainable and efficient health systems in Europe that are future proof, where innovations are available, accessible to and affordable by all that need them.

Consultation objectives On 29 April 2025, Access to Medicines and Health Products, WHO Regional Office for Europe, will host the first expert consultation on genomics and precision medicine for the WHO European Region. The aim of this meeting is to set the direction and strategy for genomics and precision medicine in our Region for the next five years (2025-2030) by:

• identifying needs and priorities from across the Member States in our diverse Region, and where WHO Europe’s support is most sought, valued and needed;

• receiving input and guidance from experts on the key next steps we should take together along with all relevant stakeholders;

• facilitating peer learning through development of potential sub-regional hubs that create communities of mutual support that enable the development of sustainable and future-proof health systems, and

Scope and purpose page 2

• providing a forum to share the progress on the work till date and an opportunity to shape and co- create the development of these initiatives.

Format This virtual event will facilitate knowledge sharing, strategic discussion, and collaborative planning on genomics and precision medicine in the WHO European Region. The format includes a mix of presentations, moderated discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions to encourage active participation and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and the steps needed for bringing equitable access to our Region.

Participants This virtual event will bring together all nominated focal points from the 53 Member States of our Region with academic and international experts, civil society and patient organizations actively working in this discipline to bring about transformation. It will also include delegates from the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, to ensure we are working in collaboration for building trust and equitable access in our Region.