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Development partners bolster ASEAN’s biosafety
The 2025 ASEAN Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) Programme Coordination and Stakeholders’ Meeting convened in Vientiane on Tuesday, gathering regional leaders and more than 18 international partners to strengthen collective defences against biological crises.
The three-day event marks the launch of the MBT Programme’s ambitious third phase (2024-2027), focusing on sustained health security and multi-sectoral coordination across the region.
The opening ceremony was led by Deputy Minister of Health Dr Phayvanh Keopaseuth; Mr Trevor Joachim Smith from Global Affairs Canada; Director General of Laos’ Department of Communicable Diseases and Control, Dr Phonepadith Xangsayarath; and Ms Jennifer Frances Dela Rosa from the ASEAN Secretariat.
Dr Phayvanh said Laos was honoured to host this important gathering, which brings together representatives from ASEAN Member States, MBT project proponents, more than 18 international organisations, networks, and other stakeholders.
“We greatly value your continued collaboration with ASEAN and your steadfast support for ASEAN’s health security initiatives,” he said.
Over the past decade, the MBT Programme has played a vital role in advancing ASEAN’s collective capacity to prevent, detect and respond to biological threats, he added.
Its achievements, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, have clearly demonstrated the strength of regional collaboration and the importance of sustained partnerships, he said.
Dr Phonepadith said he was confident the meeting would “deliver meaningful outcomes and reinforce ASEAN’s resilience against biological threats” through collective engagement.
The gathering serves as a pivotal platform to review past progress and share valuable experiences, setting the agenda for the new phase.
Discussions are focused on reaffirming and advancing ASEAN’s core commitment to four critical areas: biosafety, biosecurity, disease surveillance, and public health emergency preparedness.
A key objective of the meeting is to explore new avenues for cooperation that will ensure the Programme’s long-term sustainability and responsiveness to evolving threats.
The enduring ASEAN-Canada partnership was highlighted as particularly critical to the Programme’s success and regional resilience.International organisations participating in the talks include the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), and The European Union CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence.
Content originally published by the Vientiane Times in an article titled “Development partners bolster ASEAN’s biosafety”, dated October 1, 2025.
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The 2025 ASEAN Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) Programme Coordination and Stakeholders’ Meeting convened in Vientiane on Tuesday, gathering regional leaders and more than 18 international partners to strengthen collective defences against biological crises.
The three-day event marks the launch of the MBT Programme’s ambitious third phase (2024-2027), focusing on sustained health security and multi-sectoral coordination across the region.
The opening ceremony was led by Deputy Minister of Health Dr Phayvanh Keopaseuth; Mr Trevor Joachim Smith from Global Affairs Canada; Director General of Laos’ Department of Communicable Diseases and Control, Dr Phonepadith Xangsayarath; and Ms Jennifer Frances Dela Rosa from the ASEAN Secretariat.
Dr Phayvanh said Laos was honoured to host this important gathering, which brings together representatives from ASEAN Member States, MBT project proponents, more than 18 international organisations, networks, and other stakeholders.
“We greatly value your continued collaboration with ASEAN and your steadfast support for ASEAN’s health security initiatives,” he said.
Over the past decade, the MBT Programme has played a vital role in advancing ASEAN’s collective capacity to prevent, detect and respond to biological threats, he added.
Its achievements, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, have clearly demonstrated the strength of regional collaboration and the importance of sustained partnerships, he said.
Dr Phonepadith said he was confident the meeting would “deliver meaningful outcomes and reinforce ASEAN’s resilience against biological threats” through collective engagement.
The gathering serves as a pivotal platform to review past progress and share valuable experiences, setting the agenda for the new phase.
Discussions are focused on reaffirming and advancing ASEAN’s core commitment to four critical areas: biosafety, biosecurity, disease surveillance, and public health emergency preparedness.
A key objective of the meeting is to explore new avenues for cooperation that will ensure the Programme’s long-term sustainability and responsiveness to evolving threats.
The enduring ASEAN-Canada partnership was highlighted as particularly critical to the Programme’s success and regional resilience.
International organisations participating in the talks include the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), and The European Union CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence.
Content originally published by the Vientiane Times in an article titled “Development partners bolster ASEAN’s biosafety”, dated October 1, 2025.