Public Health Agency of Canada visits ECDC for enhanced collaboration and to strengthen global health security

During the visit, ECDC and the Public Health Agency of Canada adopted a joint action plan marking their longstanding collaboration and outlining areas for collaboration of mutual interest within public health. The action plan underlines the importance of close collaboration to ensure preparedness and prevention of infectious diseases and to strengthen global health security. The two agencies also explored future opportunities for joint international missions in outbreak investigation and activities.

‘This is the first time that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the Public Health Agency of Canada have agreed on a joint operational plan with concrete public health actions. Our mutual commitment is an important milestone to strengthen global health security, particularly during times of profound change’, said ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner

The visit included exchanges between the two agencies’ experts on topics related to capacity building and training, pandemic preparedness and response, risk assessment, epidemic intelligence, and surveillance. The President of the Public Health Agency of Canada also had the opportunity to have a fruitful exchange with all ECDC staff.

ECDC has close and constructive collaboration with counterparts across the world – particularly in North America, where the Agency has worked closely with PHAC and the US CDC for almost 20 years – signing Memoranda of Understanding, MoUs, with both Centres in 2007. In 202,1 ECDC signed an MoU with the Secretariat of Health of the United Mexican States. Currently, ECDC has bilateral agreements with 16 countries globally.

ECDC remains committed to working closely with its international partners to address current and emerging global health challenges.