Organised by the European Health Forum Gastein

It feels like Europe is lurching from one crisis to another: against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and debates about how to build forward better with a green recovery, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has precipitated a new range of wicked and complex challenges, from humanitarian and refugee crises to economic shocks and a cost-of-living crisis borne from soaring energy, food and fuel prices.

Some of these crises were predicted and unsurprising – the impact of the climate crisis was already being felt, with parts of Europe experiencing abnormally high temperatures, wildfires and severe flooding in recent years. A pandemic had been on the cards for a while, with experts warning one was “overdue”, although no-one predicted the sheer global scale or impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Other events have escalated beyond imagination – such as Russia´s invasion of Ukraine. With paradigms shaken, lives upended and a geopolitical realignment threatening the international rules-based order as we know it, this plenary will reflect on the complex challenges faced by Europe, how they will impact and reshape the European Union, and what they mean for the future of health and well-being across the continent.