Global Health Security: WHO Regions Bolster IHR Capacities with 2025 Simulation Exercises

In 2025, countries across three World Health Organization (WHO) regions conducted region-wide simulation exercises to test their International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities. These crucial exercises aimed to improve abilities to detect, report, and respond to public health threats with international impact.

The initiatives included SAPHIRE in the South-East Asia Region, JADE in the European Region, and IHR Exercise Crystal in the Western Pacific Region. National Focal Points (NFPs), critical for global health security under IHR, participated in these annual events to test communication procedures and contingency plans, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening preparedness.

SAPHIRE Exercise: Food Safety Focus

SAPHIRE 2025, held in July, involved over 190 experts from 10 countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region. The simulation focused on a potential public health emergency of international concern stemming from a food safety incident.

The exercise, conducted via email-based scenarios with a virtual debrief, assessed the operational readiness of NFPs and International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) Emergency Contact Points in their real-time communication with the WHO IHR contact point. Participants practiced IHR Annex 2 and INFOSAN criteria application, institutional communication, and drafting event-related documents.

The exercise outcomes indicated improved clarity of roles, stronger cross-sectoral coordination, and enhanced access to the Event Information Site (EIS) compared to previous years.

Dr. Buddha Nilesh, Regional Emergency Director for WHO's South-East Asia Region, noted the evolution of SAPHIRE 2025 in simulating a food safety event and reinforcing IHR NFP and INFOSAN ECP linkages.

JADE Exercise: Chemical Emergency Preparedness

JADE 2025, conducted in November in the WHO European Region, involved 41 countries. The exercise tested communication and coordination between National IHR Focal Points (NFPs) and WHO IHR Regional Contact Points during a simulated chemical event with potential international implications.

Real-time scenarios allowed countries to practice two-way notification, verification processes, IHR Annex 2 decision instrument usage, and EIS posting. Chemical safety, environmental, civil protection, and laboratory partners were also engaged to review mechanisms for requesting international assistance.

Led by WHO's Health Security Division, in collaboration with ECDC, DG SANTE, and RIVM, JADE 2025 aimed to strengthen communication pathways and cross-sector collaboration for chemical emergency response.

Ihor Perehinets, Health Security and Regional Emergency Director, WHO Regional Office for Europe, stated that JADE exercises provide an environment to test systems under pressure, contributing to the Region's ability to respond to complex, multi-hazard events.

CRYSTAL Exercise: Pandemic Readiness and Multisectoral Coordination

CRYSTAL 2025, held in December in WHO's Western Pacific Region, included 31 countries and areas. This exercise focused on readiness for a pandemic, using a fictional novel respiratory illness scenario.

It tested real-time verification, information-sharing, and public health risk assessment processes. A significant aspect involved multisectoral coordination at points of entry, bringing together health, animal health, and other authorities.

The exercise, supported by the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework Partnership Contribution, assisted Member States in refining contingency plans, strengthening interoperability, and improving trust among agencies. IHR States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reports indicated increased scores for IHR NFP capacities in the Western Pacific, particularly for timely information sharing on acute public health events.

Dr. Shimoaraiso Makato, Public Health Advisor at the Asia-Europe Foundation, observed that multisectoral coordination at points of entry is critical for effective pandemic containment, and the Crystal Exercise scenario was relevant to this objective.

Conclusion: Strengthening Global Health Security

The SAPHIRE, JADE, and CRYSTAL 2025 Exercises collectively demonstrate the value of regular simulation exercises in enhancing the global health security system. These exercises contribute to better country preparedness, connectivity, and resilience during real emergencies by testing communication systems, refining multisectoral coordination, and reinforcing the responsibilities of National IHR Focal Points.