Center for Health Security hosts multilateral biosecurity dialogue meeting in Thailand
Center News
May 29, 2019 – The Center recently co-hosted the 2019 meeting of the Strategic Multilateral Dialogue on Biosecurity with the Thailand Ministry of Public Health Department of Disease Control in Phuket, Thailand. The three-day convening began on April 28 and brought together current and former senior government officials, policymakers, and other biosecurity experts from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. Participants discussed the current national biosecurity priorities in each country and emerging biological threats in the region. Additionally, participants commented on the evolving regional and global geopolitical situation and its potential implications for biosecurity in Southeast Asia and the United States.
From left to right: Tom Inglesby, MD, Director; Dr. Preecha Prempree, Deputy Director, Department of Disease Control, Thailand Ministry of Public Health; Anita Cicero, JD, Deputy Director
Additional speakers represented the World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme, Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit, and the US Department of Defense Indo-Pacific Command.
This dialogue addresses the broad scope of biosecurity threats in Southeast Asia and the US, including naturally occurring infectious diseases, particularly novel and emerging or re-emerging pathogens with pandemic potential; the deliberate or accidental misuse of biological materials; misinformation during public health emergencies, and rapidly advancing biotechnology, including dual-use research and capabilities.
The participants have developed trusted relationships over 5 years of dialogue meetings, facilitating honest and transparent discussions about biosecurity capabilities, risks, and outstanding challenges in the region.
A full report and recommendations from the Dialogue, is forthcoming.
About the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security:
The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security works to protect people from epidemics and disasters and build resilient communities through innovative scholarship, engagement, and research that strengthens the organizations, systems, policies, and programs essential to preventing and responding to public health crises. The Center is part of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is located in Baltimore, MD.