Thailand hosts ASEAN vaccine security, workforce dialogue

Bangkok, August 19, 2025 — Thailand, through the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the ASEAN Secretariat, and international partners, hosted the ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance (AVSSR) meeting to advance the region’s strategy for vaccine security and self-reliance. The objective was to translate ASEAN’s vaccine strategy into concrete outcomes and promote sustainable regional cooperation. The meeting also reviewed progress under the ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance Strategic Plan (2021–2025).
.
In addition, NVI partnered with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), with support from the World Bank, to organize a vaccine workforce development program for ASEAN countries for the second consecutive year. The training was held on August 20,2025 at the Mandarin Hotel, Bangkok.
.
On 19 August, NVI, together with the Ministry of Public Health and the ASEAN Secretariat, convened the ASEAN Meeting on the AVSSR: Reviewing Progress and Advancing the Strategic Action Beyond 2025. Participants included senior health officials and representatives from ASEAN Member States, UNICEF, IVI, the World Bank, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), experts from the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative (RVMC), and the National University of Singapore (NUS). More than 90 participants attended, both in person and online.
.
The meeting was opened by H.E. Mr. San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and Dr Opart Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Health. H.E. San Lwin commended ASEAN Member States for their commitment to the AVSSR Strategic and Action Plan (2021–2025), which has strengthened capacity-building, advanced the ASEAN Vaccine Dashboard, and promoted regional cooperation. With the plan nearing completion, discussions also addressed the next five-year framework (2026–2030), aimed at enhancing regional collaboration, strengthening vaccine security, and preparing ASEAN for future health threats.
.
Dr Opart expressed gratitude to the World Bank and IVI for their continuous support, noting that this collaboration has enabled ASEAN members to advance the AVSSR agenda over the past five years. He stressed that the meeting provided a vital opportunity to review achievements and shape future directions for vaccine security and self-reliance in ASEAN.
.
The meeting discussed key agenda items, including a review of the implementation over the past five years (2021–2025) to evaluate the achievements of the AVSSR Strategic Plan and Action Plan in various areas, such as vaccine policy development, capacity-building of personnel, and the establishment of cooperation networks among ASEAN member states. The meeting also considered approaches to further strengthen, broaden, and sustain vaccine-related work in ASEAN, ensuring effective preparedness for future health challenges. In addition, participants deliberated on the direction and strategic plan for the next five years (2026–2030), with the aim of elevating ASEAN’s role on the global stage, emphasizing enhanced intra-regional cooperation as well as expanding partnerships at the international level. Member states endorsed the proposed strategic plan.
.
On 20 August, NVI and IVI held the AVSSR Vaccine Human Resource Development Program 2025: Building Resilient Vaccine Policies for Epidemic/Pandemic Readiness: ASEAN Perspectives in Global and Regional Contexts, supported by the World Bank. Over 90 participants from the public and private sectors attended this event, focusing on policy for epidermic/ pandemic preparedness. Dr Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, noted that the program emphasized knowledge-sharing and policy approaches, helping shape practical guidelines for vaccine security at both national and regional levels.
.
Additionally, Dr Nakorn Premsri, Director of NVI, highlighted that this event was the 2nd AVSSR training and underscored the important of capacity-building activity in the AVSSR strategy. He concluded by appreciating ASEAN and international partners for their support, emphasizing that the dialogue and training not only advance strategies but also strengthen partnerships to drive vaccine security and self-reliance across the region.