Finland participates in the Global Health Security Agenda
Nearly 200 health security experts from over 20 countries are gathered in Helsinki on 5–6 May to discuss the prevention and spread of infectious diseases. The meeting taking place in Finland is part of the Global Health Security Agenda, an initiative of the United States that was launched in February 2014.
In addition to the participating states, the European Union, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) are involved in this initiative.
Representing the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at the opening session, Secretary of State Peter Stenlund underscored the importance of enhancing health security as a component of comprehensive security.Global Health Security Agenda also emphasizes a broad, multi-sectoral approach. Finland has acted as an advocate of this idea in various international forums.
Biological threats crossing national borders call for close cooperation not only nationally but also internationally. In enhancing global health security, Finland stresses the importance of international cooperation, exchange of information, as well as the World Health Organization and the UN system. The Global Health Security Agenda now established strives to strengthen the work done in the sector of health security.In addition, Secretary of State Stenlund also emphasized that the enhancement of biosecurity and the countering of biological threats are also an important element of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Finland strongly supports the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which aims to increase international cooperation to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
- Secretary of State Stenlund’s speech
- Cooperation in Combating Global Biohazards(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) - Press release by Ministry of Social Affairs and Health