Public health diplomacy in an era of complexity, uncertainty, and unpredictability: perspectives from a YFG-ASPHER workshop.

In an era marked by geopolitical instability and rapidly evolving health threats, public health diplomacy (PHD) can be an essential mechanism for fostering the coordination, collaboration, cooperation, and communication needed to protect public health. PHD helps strengthen trust-building relationships through inclusive communication and cross-sector collaboration. This article synthesizes insights generated during a Young Forum Gastein (YFG) workshop held at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2025, hosted by the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). Workshop discussions explored how public health diplomacy is being conceptualized by early-career health professionals working across Europe, positioning youth as critical contributors to inclusive, equitable PHD processes. The outcomes of the workshop provide a way forward for strengthening public health diplomacy and identifying the essential skills that are critical to advancing this field.