The Southeast Asia Health Security Roundtable Series aims to support regional and national capacities for detecting and responding effectively to infectious disease outbreaks by fostering regional dialogue on health security.

The third instalment held in Singapore from the 24 to 25 May 2024, was hosted by the National University of Singapore, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and staffed by the Global Health Office and the Asia Centre for Health Security. Supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) it brought together over 30 esteemed though leaders from 12 countries.

Professor Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Health at the Ministry of Health, Singapore graced the event as Guest of Honour, and faculty consisted of representatives from Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD), Indonesia; Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Thailand, interim Communicable Diseases Agency, Singapore; National Centre for Infectious Diseases; Asia Centre for Health Security; and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Over two days, representatives from ASEAN member states shared presentations on the lessons learnt and best practices for coordination and decision-making, crisis communication strategies, and managing misinformation during COVID-19.

Professor Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean of Global Health at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Director for the Asia Centre for Health Security, in his welcome remarks, emphasised the imperative to foster regional dialogue and the exchange of experiences in health security and pandemic preparedness as essential measures for preventing future outbreaks.

Dr Paul Huleatt, Counsellor (Health) Australian High Commission, also highlighted the importance of the roundtable as a timely platform to facilitate dialogic sharing and collaboration amongst countries in view of burgeoning health security issues.