The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Regional Pandemic Preparedness Workshop officially commenced today in Thimphu, Bhutan, convening public health experts, government representatives, NGOs, and academic partners from across South and Southeast Asia. The two-day workshop aims to foster greater regional collaboration and strengthen the research preparedness ecosystem for future pandemics.
In his inaugural address, Hon’ble Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk emphasized the critical need for regional unity and coordination in confronting emerging infectious disease threats. He highlighted Bhutan’s COVID-19 response success, attributing it to the visionary leadership of His Majesty The King, the tireless dedication of health professionals, and support from international partners. “Pandemics are a shared burden—and they require shared solutions,” he noted.
The workshop will focus on three core objectives:
• Collaborating with Regional Experts: Sharing insights on pandemic preparedness, identifying gaps, and exploring scalable coordination models.
• Mapping Stakeholders: Identifying key actors across governments and NGOs to support strategic engagement.
• Shaping Future Action: Analyzing opportunities for collaboration and informing the agenda for the next regional workshop.
This timely initiative is jointly organized by IVI in collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute, and Bhutan–IVI Collaborating Centre (BICC) at KGUMSB, and the reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing health security and resilience across the region.
