Global and regional health security is about protecting people from health threats, whether they stem from acute disease outbreaks; natural and human-made hazards, including conflicts; epidemic- or pandemic-prone diseases; or other risks and vulnerabilities that can cross borders and disrupt societies. There is an international legally binding instrument for countries to build their core capacities to promptly and effectively prepare for and respond to such threats – the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), which have been undergoing amendments.

Under the IHR, National (or equivalent) Focal Points (NFPs) are responsible for the implementation of health measures taken in countries, territories and areas to “prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease”. To strengthen IHR NFP daily operations, including communication and coordination capacities, this meeting will bring together IHR NFPs from selected WHO Member States in the European Region, as well as public health authorities and partners, to engage in a peer-to-peer exchange of experiences and best practices.

The meeting will include presentations, interactive discussion sessions and working groups. It aims to:

• provide updates on recent IHR developments;
• introduce the European National IHR Focal Points Knowledge Network to encourage peer-to-peer learning and provide updated information to attendees about different IHR-related tools for their continuous learning;
• provide an overview of WHO daily operations, including how WHO interacts with IHR NFPs and partners in relation to event detection and management; and
• provide a platform for IHR NFPs and partners to find mutual areas of interest for further collaboration.