Indonesia to lead global fight against pandemic zoonoses

DENPASAR, BALI — With the emergence of many diseases amid climate change around the globe, Indonesia has taken initiative to lead other countries in preventing pandemic zoonoses through the zoonotic disease action package (ZDAP) scheme.

During her welcome speech at the fifth Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Ministerial Meeting opening ceremony in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Wednesday, Health Minister Nila F. Moeloek said Indonesia had built a collective awareness along with other GHSA members to prevent global health threats for the past five years.

In the previous framework, GHSA members cooperated to advocate other countries to implement the International Health Regulation (IHR). According to Nila, the previous framework was proven to be a success.

“We managed to increase other countries’ awareness regarding the importance of IHR. Moreover, we also gained a lot of new members during the last framework period,” Nila said, adding that the number of GHSA members had increased from 29 countries in 2014 to 65 in 2018.

The fifth GHSA will evaluate its previous framework and launch the 2024 GHSA framework. In the newest framework, Indonesia will be a permanent member of the GHSA steering group, and leader of ZDAP along with Senegal and Vietnam.

The GHSA is being attended by more than 600 participants, consisting of high-level officials and members of international organizations from 43 different countries. The ministerial-level meeting is currently being conducted at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center.