La OPS y la Comisión Europea firman acuerdo para fortalecer la preparación y respuesta ante amenazas sanitarias transfronterizas – OPS/OMS

Santa Marta, Colombia, November 7, 2025 (PAHO) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (heraof the European Commission signed an administrative agreement to strengthen cooperation in prevention, preparedness and response to serious cross-border threats to public health.

The agreement, signed by Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, and Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director General of HERA, was attended by the European Commission for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, supervisor of HERA within the European Commission. The document establishes a framework for collaboration on medical countermeasures, including vaccines, diagnostics, treatments and other essential health technologies.

The signing took place within the framework of the European Union–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU–CELAC) Summit, held in Colombia, which reflects the shared commitment of both regions to joint action in preparation and response to health emergencies. The signing of the agreement during the Summit gave it greater relevance, highlighting the strategic importance of bi-regional cooperation to achieve health security and strengthen preparedness and collective response capacity, a priority for both regions.

The cooperation will focus on:

• The exchange of information on medical countermeasures priorities, availability and acquisition practices.
• Strengthening laboratory capabilities. through a “One Health” approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health.
• The acquisition of medical countermeasures.including cooperation on innovative purchasing mechanisms, models and contracts, as well as the exchange of experiences on capacity reserve strategies.
• Methodologies for preparation and strategic storage that support coordinated responses during health emergencies.

“The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that effective preparation requires close international cooperation,” said Dr. Barbosa. “This agreement will contribute to strengthening the exchange of information, technology and knowledge between our regions, improving our collective capacity to detect and respond to future health emergencies,” he added.

For its part, the Lahbib Commission stated: «Stronger cooperation is the best defense against the next health crisis. This agreement between HERA and PAHO shows what collaboration means in practice: sharing experiences, building resilience and ensuring that no region faces an emergency alone. It is a clear sign of our joint commitment to protecting lives through solidarity and preparedness.»

The agreement contemplates joint technical activities, including training, preparation drills and participation in regional and international health forums. It will be valid for five years from the date of its signature.