We encourage public health dialogue among Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Partners to facilitate multi-sector knowledge sharing between health and non-health sectors including governments, international and non-profit organisations, businesses, academia, and the media.
Public Health is one of ASEF’s seven key thematic areas. The ASEF Public Health Network (ASEF PHN), established in 2009 with the financial support of the Government of Japan, engages governments, international organisations, and civil society to share best practices on emerging infectious disease challenges. Through high-level meetings, workshops, and research partnerships, ASEF PHN builds capacity and produces policy recommendations to strengthen public health preparedness across Asia and Europe.
ASEF PHN is a member of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and UHC2030. In 2024, ASEF PHN signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), National University of Singapore (NUS).
We organise annual high-level meetings, workshops, and research initiatives to advance ASEM Partners’ capacities in risk communication — one of the 13 core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). The programme addresses inclusive communication strategies during health emergencies, with a focus on reaching vulnerable populations including migrants and ethnic minorities, combatting infodemics, and strengthening whole-of-government approaches to crisis communication.
Since 2013, ASEF PHN has implemented more than 14 high-level meetings, workshops, and online sessions in collaboration with partners across Asia and Europe, sharing best practices to strengthen ASEM Partners’ capacity for pandemic preparedness and response.
In 2026, the programme will undertake a comprehensive review of over a decade of accumulated knowledge while examining how artificial intelligence can enhance public health emergency communication strategies.
In 2026, ASEF PHN formally adopted a One Health Approach as its new overarching programming framework to emerging infectious diseases, recognising the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health. This framework builds on PHN’s established work in areas including antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and provides programmatic coherence for future engagement across interconnected health challenges. The first step was a panel discussion on “Climate Change and Public Health – the Environment’s Impact on Infectious Diseases“ co-organised with NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. In 2026, the programme is deepening this focus through a dedicated multisectoral dialogue on climate change and infectious diseases.
Berlin, Germany
Singapore
Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada, Bangkok, Thailand
Singapore
New York
InterContinental Genève, Room Madrid
Indonesia; Thailand; Kazakhstan; Sweden
Helsinki, Finland
Tokyo Station Hotel
Cardiff (Wales) & Online
Join the ASEF PHN Mailing List to receive relevant updates about Public Health in Asia and Europe.
Follow ASEF PHN on social media for the latest updates
Public Health Network Unit
You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at info@asef.org. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.
We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here.
