GHSA Ministerial Meeting

Bridging Cooperative Action for Global Health Security

1.1 The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exhibited, despite the considerable successes in preventing and controlling a wide variety of diseases and outbreaks, how infectious diseases continue to threaten the integrity of the fabric that binds health systems, economic systems, and social stability at the country, regional, and global levels. Emerging infectious diseases of this nature thrust national and international capacities into action. The pandemic has exposed some of the underlying vulnerabilities in global health security such as overburdened national health care systems confronting a disease without an approved treatment or vaccine, fear of inadequate supply of personal protective equipment to reach global demand, and incongruent internal and international coordination, which often resulted in confusion and panic among the general population. On the contrary, the response highlighted strong in-country multi-sectoral coordination efforts, cooperation between countries, and strong financial support from the highest levels of government. The importance of pandemic preparedness, rapid response, and proper coordinated government and private sector efforts cannot be understated. Diverse, multi-sectoral capacities are necessary to strengthen global health security and must be comprehensively engaged.

1.2 The Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) was launched in February 2014 in response to the global threat that infectious diseases constitute in our increasingly interconnected world. The GHSA consists of a group of 69 countries, international organizations, NGOs and private sector companies that have come together to advance a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats. It has provided a platform for multisector collaboration, stimulated global support and commitments, workforce development, laboratory system strengthening and networking, and provided a mechanism to guide countries’ capacities to prepare for and cope with potential outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. Under the GHSA, nations from all over the world make concrete commitments to elevate

1.3 However, gaps remain. Many countries across the world struggle to detect andrespond to outbreaks effectively. The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) is avoluntary, externally validated assessment of a country’s health security capacity. Over 110 countries have completed a JEE, and the results reinforce that critical gaps remain in many Action Package areas. Additionally, the GHSA Steering Group has expressed concern about the low engagement of inactive members, the challenges countries are facing in mobilizing funding and resources to build their capacities, the scope of the Action Packages, and the development of concrete tools and methods for countries to improve their Joint External Evaluation scores ofIHR Core Capacities.

1.4 The GHSA Steering Group developed the GHSA 2024 Framework to support health security stakeholders across the world for the development and implementation of the best possible policies and strategies to ensure the achievements of their health security goals and targets by 2024. Thailand is committed to implement the GHSA 2024 Framework as effectively as possible and ensure mutual benefits in achieving global health security by hosting the 6 th Global Health Security Agenda Ministerial Meeting during 18 – 20 November 2020.

The objectives aim to reaffirm the critical role that GHSA 2024 plays in catalyzing multi-sectoral action to reach global targets for health security by focusing on top priorities, challenges, needed changes and actions.

2.1 To foster coordination with relevant sectors including foreign affairs, security, finance, transportation, defense, and the private sector in realizing GHSA goals, specific roles and actions

2.2 To promote multi-disciplinary engagement across human, animal, and environmental health sectors

2.3 To share best practices, specific resources, and concrete actions for members aligning with the GHSA 2024 Framework

2.4 To foster greater financial preparedness to support capacity strengthening to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.

3.1 Side Meeting: October 15, 2020 to November 5, 2020 Technical meetings and side events aligning with objectives and the GHSA 2024

Framework Target

3.2 Day 0: November 18, 2020 Summary of side meetings

3.3 Day 1: November 19, 2020 Ministerial Meeting Main session

3.4 Day 2: November 20, 2020 Ministerial Meeting Endorsement of Bangkok Declaration Handover of the Chairmanship

Virtual Meeting hosted by Thailand

18-20 November 2020

Due to the current global COVID-19 situation and the corresponding international travel restriction policies, the 6th Ministerial Meeting will be held in a live-virtual format.

Thailand has made serious considerations to ensure that the objectives of the Ministerial Meeting can still be met via a virtual meeting. To accommodate and engage the attendees, a virtual platform will be offered for participants to access the meeting and interactive functions will be made available. Thailand will provide the virtual platform for organization of the side events.

Background

Thailand will host the 6th Ministerial Meeting under the theme, “Bridging Cooperative Action for Global Health Security” on November 18-20, 2020.

Objectives

Now, more than ever before, the world recognizes this moment as the most important time to highlight global health security and to secure GHSA commitments. The Ministerial Meeting seeks to strengthen multidisciplinary engagement and multisectoral coordination while emphasizing the importance of financial preparedness for health threats.

Activities

This is an opportune time to highlight progress made as well as outline actions that will allow countries to better prevent and manage health crises that the world has witnessed with COVID-19

Venues, Date, and Virtual Format

Due to the current global situation in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministerial Meeting will be held virtually.
Final agenda, official invitations and more details will be coming soon.

Points of contact

Side Meetings for the Ministerial Meeting will take place from October 15th to November 5th. If you are interested in organizing a side meeting, please see the attached form for more information and you can refer to [email protected] for further questions.

For more information about the Global Health Security Agenda, please visit https://ghsagenda.org/