Event highlights
6 December 2024
On 26–27 November 2024, health authorities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo* attended a meeting in Skopje, North Macedonia, to discuss the completion of Strategic Objective (SO) 1, “Strengthening and maintaining all-hazard preparedness and response capacities across the Western Balkans”, one of 3 SOs under the joint WHO-European Union (EU) initiative “Strengthening health systems resilience in the Western Balkans”, funded by the EU.
The meeting’s objective was to bring together national or equivalent policy-makers, International Health Regulation (2005) (IHR) focal points and senior public health professionals, as well as key partners, including the EU Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), European Medicines Agency (EMA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and Robert Koch Institute (RKI), to discuss and take stock of progress in supporting Western Balkan health systems amid multiple emergencies and to strategize on how best to traverse the road ahead.
Additional objectives included: identifying challenges and gaps; recognizing opportunities for improved preparedness and response capacities and better use of technical guidance and support; and providing recommendations for priority actions at both country/area and subregional levels.
Guided by WHO’s leadership
Led by the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Balkan Hub with support from WHO/Europe’s Health Emergency Programme and Resource Mobilization Unit, the initiative reflects WHO’s commitment to supporting countries in building resilient health systems.
“WHO has significantly strengthened emergency preparedness and response capacities across the Western Balkans and WHO European Region,” said Dr Gundo Weiler, Regional Emergency Director, a.i., at WHO/Europe. “Recently, Member States endorsed the Preparedness 2.0 strategy and action plan, our roadmap for building resilience against future health threats over the next 5 years.”
In his address for the event, Mr Arben Taravari, Minister of Health of North Macedonia, noted, “Health emergencies transcend borders. This initiative demonstrates how shared challenges can unite nations, institutions and sectors in pursuit of a common goal: safeguarding the health and well-being of all our communities.”
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, has emphasized a whole-of-society approach, ensuring that nations are better equipped to respond to emergencies and address future challenges.
Key achievements of SO1 include the following.
- Capacity-building workshops: empowering national stakeholders
Over 21 subregional workshops have been conducted, engaging more than 500 national stakeholders. These sessions focused on key areas such as strategic risk assessment, infodemic management and laboratory strengthening, building a robust network of public health professionals dedicated to resilience. - Risk assessments for readiness
WHO’s Strategic Tool for Assessing Risks (STAR) facilitated national and subnational risk assessments, identifying readiness gaps and ensuring a proactive approach to health threats. - Operationalizing Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs)
A major focus has been on enhancing the functionality of PHEOCs. North Macedonia’s strides in improving its PHEOC readiness exemplify the initiative’s impact, aligning with WHO’s objectives for integrated and rapid emergency response. - Cross-border collaboration on health threats
The initiative enhanced cooperation on transnational health risks, such as Kosovo’s strengthened capabilities to address cross-border threats. WHO’s emphasis on regional coordination has been vital in these efforts. - Advancing food safety
2 WHO reports on food safety and emergency information exchange have reinforced the importance of timely, reliable communication during crises, fostering trust and collaboration across the region (including the Western Balkans and other southeastern European countries).
A transition towards sustainable development
The initiative’s lasting impact is evident not only in immediate outcomes but also in its sustainable approach. The strengthened frameworks ensure that progress continues as the region shifts from emergency response to long-term development.
Dr Kluge’s vision of building forward better is realized through these efforts, laying a strong foundation for health systems that are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
Looking forward: a resilient future for the Western Balkans
“The successful completion of the component “Strengthening and maintaining all-hazard preparedness and response capacities across the Western Balkans region” shows that the combination of robust capacity-building and regular strategic risk assessments, together with coordination and information sharing among the Western Balkans partners and the United Nations, European Union and international organizations, create a culture of health emergency preparedness, paramount to face future threats and align the health sector with the EU aquis,” says Marco Emilio Chiapusio, Programme Manager, DG NEAR.
As demonstrated by North Macedonia’s efforts to seek further EU funding, the health security agenda in the Western Balkans is evolving, ensuring no country is left behind in addressing future health threats.
Conclusion: shaping a healthier, more resilient region
In his keynote address, Dr Weiler added that the initiative underscores the power of partnerships and solidarity, and that the Western Balkans now stands as a model for regional cooperation, where health security is a shared goal.
“Together, we are shaping a stronger, healthier future for the Western Balkans,” concluded Dr Weiler. “And together, we are building a more resilient and prepared Europe.”
Event notice
In the heart of the Western Balkans, health authorities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo* will come together 26–27 November 2024 in Skopje, North Macedonia, to bolster their preparedness for health emergencies. This collective effort will be driven by the joint WHO-European Union (EU) initiative to strengthen and maintain all-hazard preparedness and response capacities across the Western Balkans. This EU-funded initiative will aim to significantly improve the resilience of health systems in these countries.
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* All references to Kosovo should be understood within the context of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).