The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Kingdom today officially launched the ASEAN-UK Health Security Partnership Programme (HSP), a five-year programme, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as a major new initiative aimed at strengthening Southeast Asia’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats.
The UK-funded HSP programme will provide grant funding for projects in the ASEAN region which can improve health systems, enhance access to healthcare and strengthen ASEAN capacity to respond to new threats, like the health impacts of climate change. HSP will also establish expert partnerships between institutions in ASEAN and other parts of the world, including the UK, enabling the exchange of knowledge and joint development of innovative solutions. A third component will work with the Quadripartite (WHO, FAO, WOAH, UNEP) to support the ASEAN One Health Joint Plan of Action, helping to tackle threats such as antimicrobial resistance that require a coordinated ‘One Health’ approach across human, animal, environmental and plant health.
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, welcomed the partnership:
The ASEAN-UK Health Security Partnership Programme is a timely initiative that complements ASEAN’s collective efforts in strengthening pandemic preparedness and building resilient healthcare systems. We value the UK’s commitment to meaningful and lasting cooperation with ASEAN.
UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said:
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us that no country is immune to global health threats. Through this programme, the UK is proud to work hand-in-hand with ASEAN to build long-term resilience and ensure a healthier, safer future for communities in the region and around the world.
By focussing on issues such as pandemic preparedness, emerging disease and health system resilience, the ASEAN-UK HSP programme will mobilise British and ASEAN expertise to tackle shared challenges and respond to the needs of ASEAN countries. This launch marks a key milestone under the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action (2022–2026), reinforcing the UK’s role as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner and its continued support for ASEAN’s priorities under the health cooperation pillar.
