Heads of States and Governments, Ministers of health, representatives from 53 countries and international partner organizations across the WHO European Region met virtually for the 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC71), on 13–15 September 2021.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Ms Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Health and Social Protection of Albania and attended by Her Royal Highness, The Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Patron of WHO/Europe, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister of Slovenia H,E.Janez Janša,  Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation H.E. Valentina Matviyenko and Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. Turkic Council was represented by Deputy Secretary General Omer Kocaman. 
Participants delivered opening Statements and addresses at the opening of the 71st Session emphasizing the importance of solidarity among the Member States and determination to fight against the pandemic as well as strengthening primary health care. They stressed that concrete steps are needed to prepare for and protect the Region from future pandemics.
RC71 was also focused around delivering the WHO European Programme of Work 2020–2025 (EPW) – “United Action for Better Health in Europe”, which was adopted last year. As a result of the session, Member States endorsed the official launch of the EPW flagships, the European Immunization Agenda 2030 and the Mental Health Coalition as well as strengthen WHO politically, technically and financially, making WHO/Europe fit for purpose, and optimizing its impact at country level.
In his speech, Deputy Secretary General of the Turkic Council Dr. Ömer Kocaman briefed the participants on the activities of the Turkic Council in the fight against COVID-19, touched upon relations with WHO, and underlined that for implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Turkic Council and WHO in 2020, the Secretariat and WHO Istanbul Office together with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey are preparing a 3-phase project called “Strengthening Emergency Medical Care Systems in the Member States of the Turkic Council” that will take place in Azerbaijan and later in other member countries. 
He also emphasized the readiness of the Turkic Council to coordinate and support all the efforts not only in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic but also in the post-pandemic period in the other areas of the health sector.