COVID-19 and other recent health emergencies have reinforced the need for stronger regional cooperation and brought home a vital lesson: even the best prepared country cannot act alone.
To be ready for the next emergency, countries and areas must also strengthen regional tools, interoperable systems, and coordination across borders.
Under the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF), the 38 countries and areas in the Western Pacific have a platform to align efforts, share expertise, and support collective preparedness and response.
From 25-27 November 2025, over 200 representatives from countries, areas and partner agencies across the Western Pacific Region attended the APHSAF Stakeholders Meeting to align on annual priority actions.
The first day of the meeting focused on strengthening ‘Operational Readiness.’ Participants discussed the evolving health security landscape, shared their experiences with implementing the IHR amendments, and heard global examples of catalyzing regional operational readiness for public health emergencies.
In his opening remarks at the APHSAF Stakeholders Meeting 2025, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, shared his appreciation for the strong political commitment demonstrated by Member States to strengthen regional operational readiness: “It is important to take practical steps to strengthen our shared operational assets and tools. This means that the Region can respond faster and more effectively when the next crisis comes.”
In a similar vein, Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General Emeritus of WHO, who oversaw countries implement the 2005 revision of the International Health Regulations, commended Member States’ endorsement of a regional plan for operational readiness: “I want to congratulate this Region for leading by example. This is how we build on our collective gains—by extending mutual support across diverse country contexts and ensuring that no nation stands alone. The Western Pacific Region has the experience and the capacity to lead the world in this new era of health security.”
A new mapping tool for operational readiness
Day One of the APHSAF Stakeholders Meeting also introduced a regional operational readiness mapping tool designed to identify existing regional assets for rapid response — including the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) and the Global Outbreak and Response Network (GOARN).
Member States, partners and WHO will use the tool to map existing regional assets for operation readiness, evaluate and prioritize key opportunities, and share these recommend priorities for investment with Stakeholders in 2026 for further action.
The Path Forward: From Strategy to Security
By proactively identifying and strengthening shared assets for operational readiness, the Western Pacific region is not just planning to mitigate the next health crisis—it is building an interconnected security architecture designed to detect, prepare, respond and be more resilient to future shocks. Under APHSAF, the region's approach offers a powerful blueprint for regional solidarity.
The Western Pacific Region’s demonstrated willingness to pool expertise, assets, and surge capacity during a health emergency, remains its strongest advantages.
With its diversity of economies, supply chain networks, manufacturing hubs, research and development expertise, and public health systems, this Region holds exceptional potential for collective readiness.