Indonesia is advancing Southeast Asia’s readiness to tackle a future epidemic or pandemic threat by conducting a landmark pandemic simulation exercise that will strengthen efforts to rapidly develop safe and effective vaccines and other tools against a new ‘Disease X’.
Over 120 experts working across the vaccine and epidemic preparedness research ecosystem in Indonesia and the region took part in a table-top event in Jakarta. The event was co-hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the global organisation dedicated to transforming the world’s response to epidemic and pandemic threats.
The event aimed to build on Indonesia and CEPI’s shared vision to better prepare the world to face emerging infectious disease outbreaks. This vision is built on advancing scientific research, technology and cooperation to create the tools to reduce epidemic and pandemic risks.
Alongside experts from across academic and private organisations, including specialists in areas such as virus surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical trials, Artificial Intelligence, biosecurity, manufacturing, regulatory, access and policy, event attendees included Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, Indonesian Food and Drug Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and WHO Indonesia.
Representatives from health ministries and regulatory bodies across Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia were also in attendance as observers to the event to leverage lessons learned from the exercise for their own national outbreak preparedness.
Indonesia is a key partner to and investor in CEPI. The Government of Indonesia has provided $6 million in funding to advance CEPI’s investments in innovative research and technologies against known disease threats and a future ‘Disease X’.
