Side Event - Seventy-ninth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia: Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) to enable high-level engagement for investment and inter-country solidarity for health security

The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO) organized a side event during the Seventy-ninth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia (RC79) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media of Sri Lanka, WHO country offices of Sri Lanka and Thailand, and WHO Head Quarters. The event brought together representatives of Member States, WHO and partner organizations to discuss how UHPR can strengthen engagement of political leadership to mobilize investment and advance regional cooperation for health security.

Special remaks delivered by Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media Sri Lanka

The session opened with remarks delivered on behalf of Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, followed by special remarks from Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Sri Lanka, and Dr Kittisak Aksornwong, Director General of Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. Speakers underscored that health threats do not respect national borders and that, while countries have made important progress in assessing emergency preparedness capacities, translating assessment findings into sustained political commitment, investment and interventions remains a challenge. They highlighted the UHPR as a Member State-led mechanism that promotes high-level political engagement, multisectoral collaboration and collective action to strengthen preparedness, resilience and regional solidarity.

Dr Stella Chungong, Director, Health Emergency Preparedness, WHO Headquarters, highlighted global progress in UHPR implementation, noting that nine countries have completed the process and demonstrating its role in translating preparedness priorities into stronger governance, financing and action.

Panel Discussion Session

A panel discussion moderated by Dr Reuben Samuel, Programme Area Manager, Country Preparedness and International Health Regulations, WHO-SEARO, brought together high level representatives from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to share country experiences and explore how the UHPR can translate preparedness assessments into enhanced investment and action with high level engagement of policy makers. A central theme emerging from the discussion was the added value of UHPR beyond technical assessments. Drawing on Thailand's experience as the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to complete a UHPR and participate in the first global peer review, Dr Phanthanee Thitichai, Medical Physician - Senior Professional Level, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease control, Ministry of Public Health, highlighted how the process helped identify broader challenges, including urban preparedness, private-sector engagement and multisectoral data integration for emergency risk management. Panelists emphasized that peer review creates opportunities for countries to discuss implementation, financing and accountability, while promoting practical learning and mutual support.

Dr S. M. Arnold, National UHPR Focal Point, and Deputy Director General of Public Health Services I, outlined preparations for Sri Lanka's UHPR, noting that the process was Cabinet approved and supported by multisectoral governance structures involving stakeholders beyond the health sector. Dr Sébastien Français, National UHPR Focal Point, Luxembourg, Head, Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit, Ministry of Health and Social Security, highlighted the value of UHPR as a voluntary peer-review mechanism that strengthens national ownership, dialogue across government and solidarity between countries. From a resilience perspective, Er. Ramraj Narasimhan, Senior Director, CDRI, emphasized the importance of engaging sectors such as power, water, transport and telecommunications alongside health authorities to strengthen resilient health infrastructure and ensure continuity of essential services during emergencies. During the discussion, Ms Katyna Argueta, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, highlighted the UHPR's potential to translate preparedness priorities into sustainable investments.

Participants also discussed the potential for a South-East Asia regional peer review approach to strengthen cooperation, peer learning and implementation of preparedness priorities. The event concluded with remarks from Dr Flavio Brandão, Hon. Vice Minister of Health, Timor-Leste, and Dr Rajesh Pandav, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka. Reflecting on experiences shared by Thailand, Sri Lanka and other countries during the discussion, Dr Brandão noted that Timor-Leste would give due consideration to conducting a UHPR in the future. Dr Pandav emphasized that the success of UHPR should be measured not by the completion of a national report, but by whether agreed preparedness priorities are converted into funded plans, implemented and monitored over time and sustained across political cycles.