COVID-19 and other recent health emergencies have underscored the importance of strong regional cooperation, demonstrating that even well-prepared countries cannot manage future crises alone. To strengthen preparedness, countries and areas in the Western Pacific are working to enhance regional tools, interoperable systems, and cross-border coordination.
Through the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF), 38 countries and areas have a unified platform to align preparedness efforts, exchange expertise, and support collective action. From 25–27 November 2025, more than 200 representatives from governments and partner agencies participated in the APHSAF Stakeholders Meeting to agree on priority actions for the coming year.
The meeting opened with a focus on operational readiness, where participants examined the changing health security landscape and shared experiences with implementing the International Health Regulations amendments. Leaders highlighted the importance of translating political commitment into practical action. WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala emphasized that strengthening shared operational assets will enable the region to respond faster and more effectively to the next crisis. Former WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan praised the region’s efforts, noting that mutual support and collaboration are essential for building stronger health security systems.
A new regional operational readiness mapping tool was introduced to help countries identify existing assets for rapid response, such as the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources system and the Global Outbreak and Response Network. This tool will guide Member States, partners, and WHO in mapping capabilities, determining regional priorities, and recommending investment opportunities for 2026.
By identifying and reinforcing shared resources, the Western Pacific region is moving beyond strategy into a robust, interconnected security architecture capable of detecting, preparing for, and responding to future health threats. The region’s strong willingness to pool expertise, strengthen supply chains, harness manufacturing and research strengths, and share surge capacity demonstrates its exceptional potential for collective operational readiness and resilience.
