Pakistan to be first to host 'global health security summit'

Pakistan is set to be the first nation to host the "Global Health Security Summit" scheduled to take place later this year in Islamabad.

Federal Secretary for Health Iftikhar Shallwani on Friday announced that following the approval of Caretake Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Pakistan will be the first country in the world to host the summit which will bring together around 500 participants including 70 delegates from different nations.

According to Shallwani, the summit will culminate with the issuance of an "Islamabad Declaration" that would reflect the global commitment to fighting the spread of disease in unison and ensuring an optimal level of preparation through a stronger and more resilient health infrastructure.

The federal secretary made the announcement while presiding over a meeting to launch the preparations for the global moot.

"Pakistan currently chairs the 'Global Health Security Agenda', and hosting the summit will allow us to showcase our strong resolve and commitment to the cause of saving our people and the global community from the pandemics," said Shallwani.

Accentuating Pakistan's resilience in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal secretary said: "We are a resilient nation and have together done formidably well in fighting the COVID pandemic. There is a great deal that Pakistan can contribute to the knowledge and experience of the global community in the fight against pandemics."

The huddle stressed the urgent need to strengthen disease response and surveillance systems in light of the recent unprecedented floods and the resultant spread of disease in the country.

"The recent pandemic has shown that the spread of infectious diseases in any part of the world is a threat to the entire global community. Therefore it is a shared responsibility," the meeting was told.

The high-level meeting agreed on the thematic areas to be discussed in the summit which will include several panel discussions.

Furthermore, various committees have also been constituted to ensure the holding of the mega event in a befitting manner.