Berlin, Public health leaders from across the globe gathered in Berlin for the prestigious World Health Summit (WHS) in 2023, affirming the city’s pivotal role as a global hub for public health. This convergence underscored Germany’s unwavering dedication to multilateralism and global health initiatives.
A significant highlight of WHS 2023 was the World Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, nestled within Berlin. This hub has seamlessly integrated itself into the city’s public health networks and the broader German ecosystem, extending the global convening influence of the World Health Organization.
Throughout the Summit, a resounding message emerged: while a global public health ecosystem is imperative, it must align with nation-specific assessment, prioritization, and resource allocation within national systems.
The WHS provided a platform to advocate for Collaborative Surveillance, an essential component of the World Health Organization’s framework aimed at fortifying the global architecture for health emergency prevention, readiness, response, and resilience. Embracing a collaborative surveillance approach that transcends disciplines, sectors, and international borders enables us, in conjunction with our Member States, to construct robust, resilient, and all-encompassing national public health systems.
However, realizing the vision of “collaborative surveillance” necessitates a well-trained workforce. On October 18, the WHO Hub officially introduced the Global Field Epidemiology Partnership (GFEP), co-hosted with TEPHINET and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC). GFEP will unite a diverse range of partners to strengthen cohesion among field epidemiology entities, supporting the critical delivery of public health intelligence, outbreak investigation, and global health security services.
In addition to these developments, WHS 2023 marked the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) and its enduring impact on global public health. The WHO has been a steadfast advocate for health promotion, global safety, and the protection of vulnerable populations for an impressive 75 years.
Chikwe Ihekweazu,
Assistant Director General at the World Health Organization (WHO) and leader of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, expressed his honor in serving an organization dedicated to these noble pursuits.
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