The European Commission has adopted the Global Health Resilience Initiative, which it says positions the EU as a ‘reliable and frontline actor in global health’.
The initiative aims to strengthening international preparedness for future health crises and improve resilience in health systems worldwide, by setting out a framework for how the bloc will support global prevention, preparedness and response to health threats. It also seeks to promote what it describes as greater health sovereignty among partner countries.
This builds on existing EU programmes including the European Health Union, the Preparedness Union Strategy and the EU Global Health Strategy, the Commission noted.
‘More cooperation’
“Global health is not immune to the fierce competition, coercive power politics, and information manipulation that influence international relations,” commented Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission. “The recent hantavirus outbreak, affecting citizens of multiple nationalities, reminds us why we need more international cooperation, not less.
“While some pull back from multilateral organisations that protect global health, the EU is stepping up with more support. From increased efforts to counter dangerous misinformation, to support for the development of vaccines and technologies, today the EU reaffirms its strong commitment to global health and international efforts to protect it.”
Priority areas
The initiative identifies five priority areas for future action. These include strengthening international coordination on health policy, supporting country-led health systems, improving preparedness for epidemics and pandemics, diversifying global supply chains for medical products, and countering health misinformation.
Implementation of the initiative’s nine flagship measures is expected to begin between 2026 and 2027.
“With the Global Health Resilience Initiative, we are reaffirming our role as a reliable global partner and stepping up our efforts,” added Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management. “We are strengthening epidemic and pandemic preparedness through better surveillance, enhanced development of medical countermeasures, and more effective global health financing.
“Working with partners, the initiative will help detect threats earlier, respond faster, and protect citizens when the next crisis hits.” Read more here.
