Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Wilfrido V Villacorta (L) and Chinese Vice Minister of Health Wang Longde attend a news conference in Yangon, Myanmar, June 22, 2006. The first health ministers meeting of China and ASEAN was held on Thursday to push ahead the cooperative ties between China and the ASEAN in the sector of health. (Xinhua Photo)

A number of health ministers meetings against the backdrop of rising health emergencies and crisis in Southeast Asia and worldwide here over the past two dayshave promoted closer regional cooperation.

Development of sustainable programs for Southeast Asian regional cooperation was sought during a meeting of health ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which took place on Wednesday, the first day of the two-day series of the regional meeting.

Under the theme, "ASEAN Unity in Health Emergencies", the 8th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting was attended by more than 100 delegates from the 10-nation ASEAN and its dialogue partners -- China, Japan and South Korea.

Witnessing challenges of many public health emergencies during the past two years such as Tsunami caused by underwater earthquake on Dec. 26, 2004, the spread of bird flu and subsequent possible outbreak of human influenza pandemic and the recent devastating earthquake in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, which were beyond the capability of affected countries to cope with single-handedly, the meeting called for greater cooperation and coordination among nations as well as unity, solidarity and resilience in facing the challenges.

The ASEAN+3 health ministers meeting, which followed on Thursday, the second day of the series, discussed joint initiatives in dealing health emergencies as a central theme of the meeting.

At the conclusion of their second meeting, the ASEAN+3 health ministers laid down the second phase strategic framework of emerging infectious diseases (EID) program of the ASEAN+3.

The EID program's second phase activities would provide the ASEAN+3 countries with greater opportunities to share and exchange information, experience and expertise in combating threats to the health and security of their peoples, according to the joint statement.

Editor: Donald