Global Health Security Coordination Office Opens... "Korea to Play a Central Role"

The 'Global Health Security (GHS) Coordination Office,' which plays a pivotal role in strengthening global health security, will open in Korea on the 11th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 10th.

Since the launch of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) in 2014, Korea has continuously played a leading role as a GHSA frontrunner by hosting two ministerial-level meetings. Following the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea's crisis preparedness and response system gained international trust and received cooperation requests from multiple countries.

A KDCA official explained, "Korea's GHS Coordination Office received significant support due to expectations for Korea's expanded role in the international community," adding, "After two official installation declarations last year, we have now reached the point of holding the opening ceremony." The KDCA declared its intention to open the GHS Coordination Office in Korea during the May 2023 Korea-US summit and again at the GHSA ministerial meeting in November 2023 with the 'New Seoul Declaration.'

The KDCA stated, "Through the opening of the GHS Coordination Office, we will use this as an opportunity to widely promote Korea as a country that plays a leading role in comprehensive support for strengthening global health security."

The opening ceremony will begin with an opening address by KDCA Commissioner Ji Young-mi, followed by on-site congratulatory remarks from Global Strategy Advisory Chair Son Myung-se, and video messages from the U.S. Department of Health Deputy Secretary and the Thai Minister of Public Health. Afterwards, a global health security promotion session will be held to share domestic and international experiences and explore future directions for the advancement of global health security.

The GHS Coordination Office will serve as the executive secretariat supporting GHSA activities and facilitating opportunities for information exchange and communication between countries and international organizations. Additionally, it plans to promote various support activities such as introducing and providing expert training programs across different fields.

Commissioner Ji Young-mi of the KDCA stated, "Establishing the Coordination Office in Korea signifies global recognition of our country's infectious disease crisis response capabilities and, at the same time, reflects expectations for Korea to fulfill its responsibilities and actively contribute to the international community." She emphasized, "We promise to continue doing our utmost in all support and efforts necessary to protect humanity from health threats."

Jiyoungmi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency [Photo by Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.