Inside the High-Stakes GHSA Summit: How 35 Nations United in Jakarta to Confront the World’s Deadliest Health Threats.

 

Global Health Security Agenda

2nd Commitment Meeting

Jakarta, Indonesia | 21–23 August 2014

Executive Summary

The Second Commitment Meeting of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), held in Jakarta, Indonesia, convened representatives from more than 35 countries, as well as delegates from WHO, FAO, OIE, and multiple sectors relevant to global health security. The meeting provided a platform for open and constructive dialogue regarding ongoing global health threats, including the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the growing challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The event strengthened collective understanding of the GHSA as a mechanism for mobilizing political will, technical leadership, and resources to build the capacities required to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. It also highlighted Indonesia’s leadership role and continued progress in advancing global health security initiatives.

Objectives of the Meeting

To strengthen sustained support among international stakeholders and enhance multisectoral engagement in the GHSA, particularly in preparation for the White House High-Level GHSA Meeting on 26 September 2014.

To expand outreach to countries and stakeholders previously not involved in the GHSA, thereby increasing awareness, interest, and long-term participation.

To enhance Indonesia’s visibility and international recognition for its leadership and progress in implementing global health security programs.

Meeting Highlights

Broad Multisectoral Participation

Representatives from health, agriculture, defense, foreign affairs, and other sectors engaged in robust exchanges on global health security challenges, with a particular focus on the West Africa Ebola outbreak and emerging AMR threats.

Discussion underscored the GHSA’s role in unifying global efforts to enhance preparedness, accelerate capacity-building, and mobilize coordinated action across countries and sectors.

Progress on GHSA Action Packages

Action Package Leaders presented updates on achievements to date, proposed clear progress indicators, and outlined next steps for advancing commitments. Delegates received a detailed overview of the upcoming White House GHSA High-Level Event and discussed pathways for sustainable post-September implementation and coordination.

A dedicated half-day session for Action Package Leaders further explored leadership functions, communication pathways, technical indicator development, and the need for systematic monitoring and evaluation.

Opening Plenary

The meeting commenced with remarks from:

Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Nafsiah Mboi, and

Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, Suswono.

Both emphasized that despite significant global progress, events such as the Ebola outbreak reveal substantial gaps in global preparedness. The ministers highlighted Indonesia’s success with multisectoral collaboration and affirmed the importance of the One Health approach in addressing evolving infectious disease threats.

Video messages by Dr. Margaret Chan (WHO) and statements from FAO and OIE representatives stressed critical priorities:

addressing AMR,

ensuring sustained long-term capacity building,

enhancing early detection, and

tackling underlying vulnerabilities related to food insecurity, environmental pressures, and poverty.

In the afternoon session, WHO, OIE, and FAO articulated the complementary relationship between the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and the GHSA. Speakers called for stronger political commitment, with particular emphasis on strengthening the veterinary sector—a recognized weak link in many countries.

Country and Organizational Interventions

United States representatives outlined the progress since the GHSA launch, reaffirming U.S. commitment through CDC and DTRA initiatives and offering details of the September 26 event.

Finland reported outcomes of the Helsinki GHSA Meeting, including a USD 1 million pledge to support Ebola response efforts and training programs for veterinary and public health personnel.

The Netherlands highlighted outcomes of the June 2014 Ministerial Conference on AMR, emphasizing infection control, prudent antibiotic use, and the urgent need for new antimicrobial development.

Uganda and Vietnam shared country experiences related to zoonotic disease detection and response.

Dr. David Nabarro, UN Special Coordinator for the Ebola Response, called for multisectoral collaboration and stressed the importance of incorporating biomedical, social, economic, humanitarian, and political dimensions in global responses to infectious disease threats.

Panel Discussion: Indonesia’s Experience with Zoonotic Diseases

Panelists:

Prof. Wiku Bawono Adisasmito (National Commission for Zoonosis Control)
Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama (Ministry of Health)
Dr. Pudjiatmoko (Director of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture)

Moderator: Prof. Amin Subandri

The panel highlighted Indonesia’s whole-of-government response to H5N1 and other zoonotic diseases, emphasizing financial and human resource needs, the critical importance of coordinated information-sharing between animal and human health sectors, and meaningful engagement with local stakeholders, including government authorities, communities, and media.

Scenario-Based Multisectoral Exercise

Participants formed multisectoral groups to work through a series of scenario-based challenges. The exercise reinforced:

the need for strong national coordination mechanisms,

the importance of timely and transparent information exchange, and

the practical application of One Health collaboration during public health emergencies.

Conclusion

The GHSA 2nd Commitment Meeting in Jakarta reaffirmed the shared objective of building a safer world protected from infectious disease threats. The meeting strengthened international collaboration, deepened multisectoral engagement, and reinforced Indonesia’s leadership role in shaping the future of the GHSA.

Countries left the meeting with clearer pathways for advancing GHSA commitments, stronger coordination structures, and renewed resolve to address global health security challenges through collective action.

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