The pan-European region, which includes the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region and Liechtenstein, is placing resilience at the heart of its water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) agenda in response to intensifying global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and evolving disease patterns. As the Protocol on Water and Health marks its 20th anniversary, it continues to serve as a vital international framework linking sustainable WASH management to the prevention and control of water-related diseases. The legally binding agreement brings together health, environment, and water sectors to achieve regional health and sustainability goals.
The seventh session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol is taking place in Budapest, hosted by the Hungarian Government and organized jointly by WHO/Europe and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The event’s high-level segment will center on building resilient systems for a healthier future, gathering ministers and senior officials to endorse a new three-year programme of work. This forward-looking plan will emphasize resilience and climate action to strengthen WASH systems and promote public health across the region.
The Protocol plays a key role in advancing the objectives set out in the 2023 Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health and the European Programme of Work, both of which highlight climate resilience, health security, and sustainable infrastructure. Over the past two decades, the Protocol has contributed significantly to improving access to safe water and sanitation, enhancing drinking-water quality, and promoting hygiene practices. It provides countries with evidence-based tools and practical guidance to accelerate progress in these critical areas.
Since coming into force in 2005, the Protocol has driven the adoption of WHO’s risk-based water safety planning in over 30 countries, helping address the growing threats posed by climate change and other risks. It has also guided assessments in more than 1,500 health-care facilities across 10 countries, leading to measurable improvements for millions. Recent research on Legionella under the Protocol is expected to strengthen prevention and control measures against this waterborne pathogen.
Leaders stress that continued investment in resilient WASH systems is essential to safeguard public health amid mounting global crises. As environmental pressures, health emergencies, and new threats intensify, resilience must remain central to policy and planning. Strengthening these systems is not only an investment in infrastructure but also in people—ensuring healthier, more secure, and more sustainable communities across the region.
