Public Health Diplomacy
European Initiative
In an era of geopolitical instability and rapidly evolving health threats, Public Health Diplomacy can be an essential mechanism for fostering coordination, collaboration, cooperation and communication to protect public health. Public health cannot remain at the margins; it must be present where decisions are negotiated so that evidence, fairness, and human rights shape outcomes. Public Health Diplomacy strengthens trust, building relationships through inclusive politically astute communication, and cross-sector collaboration.
In 2025, two regional public health schools’ networks: the Association of Schools of Public Health in European Region (ASPHER) and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) collaboratively led high-level dialogues on Public Health Diplomacy at European Health Forum Gastein and Young Forum Gastein.
EHFG 2025 session
The sessions were informed by a background Policy Brief and findings providing actionable ways forward were summarised in an outcome statement. Following the Session, the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) and the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) – Europe Network joined with EHFG, ASPHER and ASPPH, committing to build capacity in Public Heath Diplomacy in Europe.
This represents a unique effort to consolidate capacity of public health schools and training centres, national networks, and institutes to create meaningful networking on Public Health Diplomacy and to strengthen the public health workforce professionalisation to advance the field.
This page reports on relevant activities aligning relevant efforts to build capacity in Public Health Diplomacy, thereby ensuring public health holds its place at the centre of decision-making.
