UK joins hands with ASEAN to reduce impact of health threats in Southeast Asia

On July 4, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Kingdom officially launched the ASEAN-UK Health Security Programme (HSP). This five-year programme is a new initiative to strengthen Southeast Asia's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to health threats.

Delegates attend the launching ceremony of the ASEAN-UK Health Security Partnership Programme (HSP) on July 4 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Source: British Embassy in Vietnam)

The UK-funded HSP will provide financial support to projects in the ASEAN region to improve health systems, increase access to health care, and strengthen ASEAN's capacity to respond to emerging threats, such as the health impacts of climate change.

HSP will also connect experts between organisations in ASEAN and elsewhere in the world , including the UK, to exchange knowledge and jointly develop innovative solutions.

The third component of the programme will work with four UN agencies (WHO, FAO, WOAH, UNEP) to support the ASEAN “One Health Action Plan”, which will help address threats such as antimicrobial resistance that require a coordinated approach.

“The HSP is a timely initiative that complements ASEAN’s collective efforts to strengthen pandemic response and build resilient healthcare systems. We appreciate the UK’s commitment to meaningful and long-term cooperation with ASEAN,” said Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

British Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us that no country is immune to global health threats. Through this programme, the UK is proud to work closely with ASEAN to build long-term resilience and ensure a safer and healthier future for people in the region and around the world.”

By focusing on issues such as pandemic preparedness, emerging diseases and health system resilience, the HSP will harness UK and ASEAN expertise to address common challenges and meet the needs of ASEAN countries.

The launch of the programme marks a significant milestone under the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action (2022–2026), reinforcing the UK’s role as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner and its ongoing support for ASEAN priorities in the area of ​​health cooperation.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/anh-bat-tay-asean-giam-thieu-tac-dong-cua-cac-moi-de-doa-suc-khoe-tai-dong-nam-a-320199.html