20th Baltic Policy Dialogue: Why and How the Baltic Countries Should Invest in Long-Term Care, 5-6 May 2026
Press conference, 6 May 2026
5–6 May 2026 | Vilnius, Lithuania
This May, Vilnius will host a landmark moment for regional health policy: the 20th edition of the Baltic Policy Dialogue (BPD), a joint initiative of the governments of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Launched in 2004, shortly after the Baltic States' accession to the European Union, the BPD was founded on a shared desire to open new windows into health systems across the EU and to foster close cooperation among countries with common aspirations and challenges. Over two decades, it has grown into a trusted annual forum for peer exchange where senior health decision-makers exchange experiences, share best practices, and explore reform options in a neutral and evidence-based setting.
This year's dialogue focuses on long-term care — one of the most pressing policy challenges facing ageing societies across Europe — and will be hosted by the Lithuanian Ministry of Health.
Ministers attending include Marija Jakubauskienė (Lithuania), Karmen Joller (Estonia), and Hosam Abu Meri (Latvia), alongside WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge, and Ewout van Ginneken, Director the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
Press conference
A press conference will take place at 8:00 AM EEST on 6 May 2026. Those wishing to attend or follow proceedings are welcome to join via live stream.