Event highlights
Hungary has taken a major step in advancing the healthy ageing agenda across the WHO European Region with the official launch of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing at Semmelweis University.
At a high-level ceremony, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, presented the certificate of designation to Rector Dr Béla Merkely, in the presence of Minister of Culture and Innovation Dr Balázs Hankó, Deputy State Secretary Dr Judit Bidló, Regional Director Emeritus Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab (WHO/Europe) and former Regional Director ad interim Dr Piroska Östlin (WHO/Europe).
“Healthy ageing is not just a health issue – it is a measure of how our societies value dignity, inclusion and purpose at every stage of life,” said Dr Kluge. “With this new collaborating centre, Hungary is helping translate science into action and advance a new vision of health across the European Region.”
Supporting strategy development and regional engagement
The launch was held alongside a technical engagement with Hungarian experts and public health institutes, as part of WHO/Europe’s collaborative development of the “Ageing is Living” strategy for 2026–2030. Hungary, through the leadership of Professor Róza Ádány, plays a vital role on the strategy’s Advisory Committee. This designation builds on Hungary’s strong scientific and educational foundations in public health. The centre is set to deliver:
- data-driven action on age-related disease prevention and health promotion
- workforce training and education in ageing and public health
- primary care reform and community-based prevention models
- tools and guidance for strategy implementation across Member States.
Hungary is also a strategic partner in WHO/Europe’s collaboration with the Organization of Turkic States, supporting central Asian countries to prepare health and care systems for population ageing.
Minister Hankó emphasized the centre’s contribution to Hungary’s national prevention and innovation goals, while Dr Merkely underlined the university’s commitment to making healthy ageing accessible to as many people as possible.
“It is a great honour that our institute has been recognized by the World Health Organization. We are confident that through this collaboration, we can expand the reach of healthy ageing for all,” said Dr Merkely.
This newly designated collaborating centre reinforces Hungary’s regional leadership and WHO/Europe’s commitment to ensuring that all people can live longer and healthier lives.