INTERPOL and World Health Organization have signed cooperation agreement aimed at tackling most pressing threats at intersection of public health and security. Agreement establishes framework to combine INTERPOL law enforcement expertise with WHO public health leadership for joint action to prevent, detect and respond to risks.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said crime and health increasingly interconnected, from falsified medical products to exploitation of vulnerable individuals putting lives at risk. Urquiza said criminal networks putting lives at risk, agreement strengthens ability to work with WHO to protect communities and ensure those threatening brought to justice.
Health And Security Interface
Agreement focuses on strengthening collaboration in exceptional situations requiring coordinated health and security action, including incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive materials. Organizations will also address unusual biological events, whether naturally occurring, accidental or deliberate, requiring joint health and security response for global protection and safety.
Organizations will also coordinate efforts around major international events and mass gatherings, helping countries better prepare for and respond to potential health threats.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health security is global security, deepening collaboration with INTERPOL reinforces collective ability to prevent harm.
Tedros said collaboration reinforces collective ability to respond to emergencies and protect people from threats undermining both health systems and public trust significantly.
Protecting The Most Vulnerable
Second area for cooperation is tackling trafficking of persons for purpose of organ removal, along with illegal trade in human organs, tissues and cells. Agreement also addresses growing threat of illicit production and trade in goods which directly impact public health, including falsified medical products and counterfeits.
Falsified medical products such as medicines, vaccines and medical devices pose serious risks, alongside counterfeit personal protective equipment threatening consumer safety and health systems. Unsafe or fraudulently labelled food and drink and illegally produced alcohol also included, cooperation will support implementation of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Through joint efforts, organizations will support countries in identifying these threats, protecting consumers and reinforcing international frameworks designed to keep people safe globally.
Stronger More Coordinated Action
Agreement reflects shared commitment to address challenges that transcend borders and sectors by strengthening collaboration at intersection of health and law enforcement effectively. By improving coordination between health and law enforcement, INTERPOL and WHO committed to enhancing global community ability to respond effectively to complex evolving threats.
This stronger coordinated action offers good news that health security and public safety increasingly recognized as interconnected priorities requiring joint prevention, detection, response and justice.
Q&A
Q: What did INTERPOL and WHO cooperation agreement establish to tackle threats at intersection of public health and security?
A: Agreement establishes framework combining INTERPOL law enforcement expertise with WHO public health leadership for joint action to prevent, detect, respond to risks endangering lives worldwide.
Q: What did INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza say about crime and health interconnection?
A: Urquiza said crime and health increasingly interconnected, from falsified medical products to exploitation of vulnerable individuals, criminal networks putting lives at risk requiring justice.
Q: What did WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus say about health security and global security?
A: Tedros said health security is global security, deepening collaboration with INTERPOL reinforces collective ability to prevent harm, respond to emergencies, protect people and trust.
FAQ
Q: What exceptional situations requiring coordinated health and security action does agreement focus on?
A: Agreement focuses on incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive materials and unusual biological events naturally occurring, accidental or deliberate, plus major international events.
Q: How will INTERPOL and WHO cooperation help protect most vulnerable from organ trafficking and illegal trade?
A: Cooperation tackles trafficking of persons for organ removal and illegal trade in human organs, tissues, cells, protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and harm.
Q: What illicit goods directly impacting public health does agreement address beyond organ trafficking?
A: Agreement addresses falsified medical products like medicines vaccines devices, counterfeit personal protective equipment, unsafe fraudulently labelled food drink, illegally produced alcohol, plus tobacco control.
Q: How will joint efforts support countries in identifying threats and protecting consumers?
A: Through joint efforts organizations will support countries identifying threats, protecting consumers, reinforcing international frameworks designed to keep people safe and ensure justice for criminal networks.
Q: Why is stronger coordinated action between health and law enforcement important for global community?
A: Stronger coordination enhances global community ability to respond effectively to complex evolving threats transcending borders and sectors, addressing challenges undermining health systems and public trust.
