EU strengthens global health security with new Global Health Resilience Initiative

On 13 May, the European Commission adopted a Global Health Resilience Initiative. 

The initiative sets out the strategic framework for future EU action so that Europe can respond more quickly to health threats and crises in an interconnected world, based on a strong multilateral system and on cooperation with partners.

The Global Health Resilience Initiative puts forward five key priority areas adding the most value to the EU’s contribution to stability and collective action in global health.

1. Promoting a more effective and less fragmented global health architecture. The EU will address current challenges, including financing gaps. Enhanced coordination within the EU on global health will be a key focus. The EU has already mobilised over €6 billion for health investments under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe instrument and has made health a key pillar of the Global Gateway, the EU’s external investment arm.
2. Supporting resilient and country-led health systems. The EU will support partner countries’ transition to health sovereignty through concrete investments and expertise sharing, with a focus on primary health care.
3. Reinforcing international-level prevention, preparedness and response to global health threats and crises. The EU will reinforce global networks for enhanced detection, preparedness and response to epidemic threats. The EU will strengthen its crisis response capacity by ensuring greater availability of medical countermeasures – including therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics. The EU will also support a global health and resilience tracker to map global health expenditure.
4. Diversifying global supply chains and manufacturing of key health products. The EU will support the diversification of global supply chains, the development of key health products, and international cooperation on knowledge exchange related to medical countermeasures and surge capacity. The EU will also accelerate the deployment of EU investment tools, and will seek cooperation with the private sector to support investments in partner countries.
5. Bolstering societal resilience by fostering trust in science and countering health dis- and misinformation to ensure global health policymaking remains anchored in scientific evidence and cooperation. Concretely, the initiative will help improve access to reliable scientific data, strengthen cooperation with partner countries on public health communication, and support efforts to counter false and misleading health information.

“The recent hantavirus outbreak, affecting citizens of multiple nationalities, reminds us why we need more international cooperation, not less,” said EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. “While some pull back from multilateral organisations that protect global health, the EU is stepping up with more support. From increased efforts to counter dangerous misinformation, to support for the development of vaccines and technologies, today the EU reaffirms its strong commitment to global health and international efforts to protect it.”

To translate these priorities into action, the Global Health Resilience Initiative includes nine flagship measures at national, regional and global levels, with the aim to enhance preparedness, improve coordination and build resilient systems around the world. Their implementation will begin between 2026 and 2027.

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Press release