Pakistan is set to make history by hosting the Global Health Security Summit later this year, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by Federal Secretary Health Iftikhar Shallwani, which marked the commencement of preparations for this significant global event.
The meeting was attended by health officials, prominent public health experts, and representatives from partner agencies. Pakistan’s Prime Minister has granted approval for the summit, which is expected to bring together approximately 500 participants, including about 70 country delegates.
As the current chair of the Global Health Security Agenda, Pakistan sees this conference as an opportunity to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the global effort to protect people from pandemics, Secretary Health Shallwani emphasized. He pointed out Pakistan’s resilience and success in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and stressed that the country can offer valuable insights and experiences to the global community in the fight against pandemics.
Pakistan has faced recent challenges such as devastating floods and the subsequent spread of diseases, underscoring the urgent need to bolster disease response and surveillance systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that the spread of infectious diseases anywhere in the world poses a threat to the entire global community, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility.
During the meeting, thematic areas for discussion at the summit were agreed upon, which will include various panel discussions. Secretary Health Shallwani also established several committees to ensure the successful organization of this significant event. The summit will culminate in the issuance of the Islamabad Declaration, reflecting the global commitment to jointly combat the spread of diseases and enhance preparedness through a stronger and more resilient healthcare infrastructure.
