Disease Control and Prevention Agency Designated as WHO Collaborating Center for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Recognized for Achievements and Expertise in COVID-19 Response

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 31st that it held a plaque ceremony to commemorate its designation as the World Health Organization (WHO) 'Collaborating Center for Pandemic Preparedness & Response.'

On the 30th, a plaque ceremony commemorating the designation of the World Health Organization's "Pandemic Preparedness and Response Collaboration Center" was held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk. From left to right: Hwang Hyun-gu, Special Political Advisor to Chungcheongbuk-do; Ha Il-su, Chairman of the Korea International Health and Medical Foundation; Gina Samaan, Director of Emergency Management at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office; Ji Young-mi, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency; Oliver Morgan, Director of the WHO Pandemic and Infectious Disease Information System; and Lim Sook-young, Deputy Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The WHO Collaborating Centers refer to specialized institutions selected by WHO in various fields to carry out international health projects.

This designation of KDCA as a collaborating center recognizes the expertise accumulated through its COVID-19 response experience and its contributions to building international crisis response cooperation systems. It is significant as the second designation following KDCA’s appointment as a WHO Collaborating Center in the field of antimicrobial resistance in 2021.

The main areas of collaboration include supporting the establishment and operational capacity enhancement of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers in WHO Western Pacific Region member countries, providing technical support to strengthen the capabilities of National Public Health Agencies/Centers for Disease Control, and supporting capacity development for health security professionals.

KDCA will cooperate with WHO to share its expertise and experience with countries in the Western Pacific Region, develop guidelines for infectious disease response, conduct joint research, workshops, meetings, and training sessions, and serve as a professional advisor in specialized fields.

The plaque ceremony held on the 30th was attended by Ha Il-su, Chairman of the Korea International Health and Medical Foundation; Hwang Hyun-gu, Special Political Advisor to Chungcheongbuk-do Province; Oliver Morgan, Director of the WHO Pandemic and Infectious Disease Information Systems at the Berlin Hub; and Gina Samaan, Crisis Director of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, who delivered congratulatory remarks and urged KDCA’s leading role and leadership in the future.

Director Ji Young-mi stated, "Going forward, we will continue efforts to create a safe and healthy society by strengthening the crisis response system for future infectious disease pandemics based on the 'Collaborating Center for Pandemic Preparedness & Response' in connection with official development assistance projects in the infectious disease field and the operation of the Global Health Security Coordination Office."