With over 33 years of professional experience – including 28 years at the WHO Regional Office for Europe – my work has focused on advancing healthy settings, strengthening health systems, and promoting climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems. I have operated at regional, national, and international levels, bridging policy development, programme management, research, and emergency response.
Policy Leadership and Advisory
Coordinated the public health agenda of the Small Countries Initiative (12 countries with populations under 2 million) for four years, focusing on health system strengthening, health workforce development, information systems, climate change, and emergency preparedness.
Led the European UN Issue-Based Coalition on Health for five years, bringing together approximately 20 UN agencies to advance the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Managed international programmes for 19 years, overseeing large-scale projects on climate change adaptation in health systems and advancing carbon-neutral health systems.
Prepared high-level policy briefs on climate change, energy, and extreme weather for four Ministerial Conferences on Environment and Health and coordinated ministerial working groups.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Coordinated the national COVID-19 response in Albania for one year, managing containment and treatment strategies in collaboration with national authorities, international institutions, and diplomatic missions. Led the implementation of emergency policies and provided operational field support nationwide.
Secured international funding and developed technical guidance on heat-health action plans, flood risk management, and responses to climate-sensitive infectious diseases.
Research and Evidence
Analysed and reviewed national health policies in six countries to align with the Sustainable Development Goals and contributed to multi-agency Voluntary National Reviews.
Supervised multisectoral teams across multiple countries assessing health impacts of climate change and extreme weather and developing strategic adaptation responses.
Coordinating Lead Author of the Health Chapter of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report and contributing author of its Synthesis Report (IPCC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007). Editor of the Health and Migration chapter of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.
Designed, secured funding for, and managed five international research and public health projects on climate change and health.
Author of numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications in public health, environment, and climate change.
Training and Capacity Development
Designed and delivered large-scale training programmes for senior health officials from WHO Member States across a range of public health topics.
Coordinated and strengthened the Regions for Health Network (42 subnational authorities from 26 countries), transforming it into a platform for innovation, peer learning, and capacity development.
Education
Specialist in Hygiene and Public Health University of Perugia, Italy
