The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed that cooperation and strong links between
international institutions have a key role in successful management of the outbreak worldwide.
Not only WHO, but also regional organizations such as the EU or the African Union joined
global efforts aimed at ensuring equity regarding fair distribution of vaccines and PPE (Personal
Protective Equipment) among underserved populations. Within the EU many complex
initiatives were introduced in order to support Member States against challenges posed by the
pandemic. Bearing in mind global activities of WHO and regional engagement of the EU, the
role of the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO EURO) is somewhat vague. While both
the EU and WHO EURO join forces in Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and
COVAX initiatives it seems that in the majority of their activities are led independently from
each other. Deriving from Stephen Walker’s interpretation of role theory, I argue that while the
European Commission and WHO Headquarters’ roles regarding management of the Covid-19
pandemic in Europe are clearly defined, the WHO EURO balances between two options: being
a ‘transmission belt’ between the EU and WHO on the one hand and ‘innovative health partner’
as defined by Daniel Low Beer on the other. After careful analysis of WHO EURO’s potential
in terms of financial resources, communication capabilities and links with other international
organizations I argue that the first option would be more beneficial for WHO, whereas the latter
would strengthen EU in future health emergencies.
