Focal points across the Pacific will gather during the Pacific IHR National Focal Point Meeting to engage in Pacific-driven problem-solving for the unique circumstances of the Pacific regarding core capacities under the International Health Regulations (2005), or IHR. Participants include Pacific leaders in IHR, One Health and emergency preparedness and response.
Since the last meeting in 2024, significant progress has been made to improve IHR core capacities in the Pacific, with the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu completing Joint External Evaluations, and Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu developing National Action for Health Security plans in 2025. This was a direct outcome from the eighth meeting in 2024, which focused on renewed engagement with the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF).
What to expect
This meeting will continue to build on ongoing IHR initiatives and meetings in the Pacific to strengthen IHR core capacities. The meeting provides an opportunity to discuss progress, share experiences and best practices, and identify solutions to challenges in implementing the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation in small island developing states.
Meeting objectives
- to update Pacific island countries and areas (PICs) on developments in the global health architecture, including IHR amendments and the Pandemic Agreement;
- to discuss progress on implementation of the IHR MEF and share experiences and best practices on implementation, including National Action Plan for Health Safety development and implementation; and
- to develop recommendations on the implementation of multisectoral plans and activities using a One Health approach.