The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is convening its 48th Plenary Meeting
Sofia, Bulgaria — June 18, 2025 — The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is convening its 48th Plenary Meeting on June 17–18, 2025, at the Astoria Grand Hotel in Sofia, centered around the theme “Health Promotion and Disease Prevention – Acting Together for Better Health for All.”
Organized under the Bulgarian Presidency of SEEHN and hosted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria, the event brings together national health leaders, international partners, and key stakeholders dedicated to enhancing public health cooperation across the region.
The meeting was officially opened by Assoc. Prof. Silvi Kirilov, M.D., Minister of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria; Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Acting Head of the SEEHN Secretariat; Dr. Svetlana Nicolaescu, Chair of the SEEHN Executive Committee, H.E. Christina De Bruin – UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria and Mr. Guillaume Simonian, a.i. WHO CO Bulgaria – online.
Minister Kirilov warmly greeted the particpants and outlined the importance of multilateral cooperation in the field of public health:
”The global and regional health challenges in the field of public health today require, above all, working in partnership, sharing good practices and mutual experience, the goal of which should not only be to provide optimal quality of treatment to patients, but also to actively protect and sustainably strengthen their health.”
In her opening address, Dr. Tatiana Paduraru highlighted the critical importance of collaboration in health:
“At a time when public health challenges are increasingly interconnected, acting together is not just a strategic choice — it is an imperative. This meeting is a platform to forge innovative pathways for collaboration and reaffirm our shared commitment to inclusive health for all.”
Dr. Svetlana Nicolaescu echoed this sentiment, stating:
“Prevention is a long-term investment — one that transcends sectors and borders. As our societies face growing health demands, we must act with foresight and unity.”
Day 1 of the meeting featured the inaugural Dr. Alexandre Berlin Prize Ceremony, celebrating exceptional contributions to health development in the region. The first award was presented to Dr. Maria Ruseva, recognized for her instrumental role in the founding and vision of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network.
Key Highlights and Outcomes:
- Strong emphasis on regional collaboration to advance health promotion, disease prevention, and youth well-being through joint policies, information and good practices sharing, and coordinated campaigns.
- Comprehensive overview of Bulgaria’s SEEHN Presidency (2024–2025), with recognition of major strides in digital health, NCDs, nursing and midwifery leadership, and health diplomacy.
- Strategic transition to the incoming Israeli Presidency (2025–2026), marked by continuity planning and reaffirmed commitment to regional solidarity in health.
- In-depth sessions on public health communication, vaccination strategies, nutrition policies, and digital innovation, highlighting the need for multisectoral investment in prevention.
- Opportunities for partnership building and knowledge exchange identified across all sessions, laying the groundwork for future joint actions.
Demonstrating strong regional solidarity, participants from across the Network attended both in person and online, with special acknowledgment of the Israeli delegation for their virtual participation amidst ongoing travel restrictions.
Day 2 will be dedicated to closed-door governance discussions, covering key areas such as financial reporting, elections for the SEEHN Secretariat, and strategic planning.
These sessions will be followed by presentations from SEEHN’s Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs), which will explore critical themes including maternal and newborn health (Romania), digital transformation (Bulgaria), nursing and midwifery leadership (Romania), and health workforce migration (Moldova).
The meeting will conclude with a cultural tour hosted by the Bulgarian Presidency, along with a strong reaffirmation of cross-border collaboration as a foundation for building sustainable and resilient health systems across South-Eastern Europe.
