The EHTF is the leading international body for implementation and monitoring of the European Environment and Health Process (EHP). It serves as an instrument for Member States to provide policy direction in the field of environment and health within the WHO European Region.

EHTF members include leading officials from all Member States in the Region, nominated from the health and environment sectors at the national level as focal points for the EHP, as well as representatives of WHO and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations recognized as EHP stakeholders.

The EHTF meets annually in the period between Ministerial Conferences on Environment and Health.

Mandate

The EHTF is responsible for:

• developing and supporting the implementation of its biannual work programme;
• facilitating collaboration and partnerships among sectors, partners and stakeholders;
• providing fora for the exchange of technical expertise and knowledge;
• integrating scientific evidence in the development of environment and health policies;
• considering emerging environment and health issues and advising on policy directions to address them;
• promoting collaboration with the governing bodies and secretariats of relevant multilateral environment and health agreements and policy platforms;
• establishing working groups and other bodies;
• establishing the EHP Partnerships and providing overall guidance and support;
• identifying financial resources for implementation;
• reporting annually on the progress and achievements of EHP to the WHO Regional Committee for Europe and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Environmental Policy;
• facilitating participation of youth organizations in decision-making related to environment and health; and
• preparing the Ministerial Conferences on Environment and Health.