International cooperation in global health security

Improving Global Health Security

HERA plays a pivotal role in strengthening the international health security framework by partnering with global stakeholders. We aim to ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures and bolster preparedness for future health crises. Our initiatives focus on:

• Addressing Supply Chain Bottlenecks: Enhancing production capacity to meet global demand.
• Supporting Vulnerable Nations: Assisting low- and middle-income countries in developing their health infrastructure.
• Enhancing Surveillance: Strengthening global intelligence and data gathering to preemptively address health threats.
• Facilitating Rapid Access to Countermeasures: Ensuring that medical countermeasures are available during health emergencies.

To support these initiatives, an EU4Health budget of EUR 13 million has been provisionally allocated to advance pandemic preparedness at global, regional, and national levels.

International Partnerships

HERA is actively engaged with a range of authorities and organizations, including:

• International Agencies: Collaborating with bodies such as the WHO and other key players in health security.
• National Authorities: Developing partnerships with health authorities in various countries to enhance global cooperation.

In our multilateral relationships, HERA represents EU interests at global health security initiatives, advocating for increased funding and support for pandemic preparedness and response.

Strengthening Multilateral Relations

HERA is a central player in international negotiations on health preparedness, conducting vital work alongside organizations like the WHO and African Union. Our initiatives include:

• Enhancing Vaccine Accessibility: Supporting the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in low- and middle-income countries through the Team Europe approach.
• Capacity Building in Africa: Collaborating with the Africa CDC to develop medical countermeasures and enhance public health capabilities.
• The SECURE Initiative: Promoting sustainable access to essential antibiotics and monitoring threats from resistant pathogens.

By committing EUR 6 million to genomic sequencing initiatives, we aim to enhance outbreak detection capabilities in Africa, backed by a One Health approach.

Fostering Strong Bilateral Relations

In addition to multilateral efforts, HERA engages in active collaboration with key nations such as the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and India. Formal agreements promote improved coordination on health emergencies. Our work also extends to EU candidate and neighboring countries, focusing on supply security and local production capacities.

HERA remains dedicated to building a robust global health security framework through international cooperation, ensuring a more resilient community prepared to face future health challenges.