Background

The Health-Security Interface Technical Advisory Group (HSI-TAG), in the Health Emergencies Programme of the World Health Organization (WHE) was first established in 2019. Reflecting the needs of the organization, the terms of reference of HSI-TAG were updated (March 2022) and a new set of members were appointed by an open selection process in late 2022 as part of formalization procedure set by the Organization.

The HSI-TAG provides independent advice to the WHO related to strategic priorities and plans of action on specific topics relating to the health security interface (HSI). HSI-TAG members have expertise in a range of areas including, but not limited to, the following:

• Public health intelligence; 
• Chemical and biological deliberate event preparedness & readiness;
• Civil military relations; 
• Risk communications;
• Misinformation/disinformation;
• Biosafety and biosecurity; 
• National and international policy, regulation and guidance. 

The composition of the HSI-TAG fully respects geographic and gender diversity. The members serve in their independent expert capacities to represent the broad range of disciplines relevant to the health security interface. 

The HSI-TAG with the support of the WHO secretariat will organize its annual in-person meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on 9 - 10 July 2024.

Objectives of the meeting

This meeting provides the opportunity for the HSI-TAG members to discuss the current landscape and future development of projects related to HSI and to provide technical advice and assistance to WHO. Its purposes include:

1. Advance the work of HSI-TAG by meeting in-person to review the progress of key working groups and facilitate more in-depth and extensive discussions on these initiatives,
2. Meet with WHO HQ and Regional Office focal points to discuss the perspectives and priorities of regions, and to identify unmet Member States needs related to preparing for and responding to deliberate threats,
3. Discuss and develop consensus on strategy for the second half of 2024 and priority actions for the HSI-TAG, and
4. HSI Strategies and priority projects/deliverables for the next biennium (2024-25) reviewed, discussed and endorsed by HSI-TAG.