We were represented at this event by Professor Paul Kelly, Head of the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control and Helen Grinbergs, First Assistant Secretary, Australian Centre for Disease Control Establishment Taskforce.
The conference gathered public health leaders from around the world to address crucial gaps in governance structures. Cohosts were the:
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore
- Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research of the World Health Organization (WHO)
- WHO Health Emergencies Programme.
We discussed how regulatory, financial and accountability structures impact the performance of national public health agencies (NPHAs). This event was a valuable opportunity for Australia's interim CDC to share insights and experiences. It was also an opportunity to learn about others’ experiences as we continue work to establish an Australian CDC.
We were also joined by delegates from other nations, such as:
- Singapore
- Fiji
- Germany
- Rwanda
- Japan
- the Republic of Korea
- Brazil.
Together, we shared strategies to effectively address COVID-19 and previous public health emergencies. By participating in this global event, we contributed to ongoing efforts to improve public health governance worldwide.
The conference highlighted the importance of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration among NPHAs. This reaffirms Australia's commitment to strengthening global health outcomes.