On 14 July 2026, Bangladesh formally inaugurated its National International Health Regulations Authority (NIA), strengthening the country's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies through enhanced coordination across government.
The inauguration, organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh's implementation of the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). The NIA will provide strategic leadership and oversight, strengthen coordination across government, and advise on national priorities and resource mobilization to enhance the country's health security.
"Health security is not the responsibility of the health sector alone. Public health emergencies, whether caused by infectious diseases, natural disasters, climate change, chemical incidents or other hazards require a coordinated, whole-of-government approach,” said Ms Sheikh Momena Moni, Additional Secretary (World Health Wing), MoHFW. “The effective implementation of the IHR depends on the active engagement of all ministries and agencies, each contributing its unique expertise and mandate to strengthen Bangladesh's preparedness and response capacities."
Bangladesh is among the world's most disaster- and climate-vulnerable countries. Frequent floods, cyclones, heatwaves and other climate-related hazards, combined with a high population density, cross-border population movement and the continued risk of infectious disease outbreaks, place sustained pressure on the country's public health system and require strong national preparedness and coordinated action across government.
/countries/bangladesh/participants-at-the-inauguration-meeting.jpg?sfvrsn=6a9a85fe_2 "Participants at the inauguration meeting")
Participants at the inauguration meeting
Photo Credit: Abdul Mannan/WHO
The inauguration brought together representatives from 27 ministries and government agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Local Government Division. Participants discussed the role of the NIA and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening interministerial coordination to enhance Bangladesh's health security and emergency preparedness.
"Recent pandemics and public health emergencies have reinforced a critical lesson: no country can address health threats alone. The IHR provide the world's only legally binding framework for preventing, detecting and responding to public health risks,” said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. “WHO remains committed to supporting Bangladesh in strengthening the capacities needed to effectively implement the IHR, protecting its people while contributing to regional and global health security."
The programme included presentations from WHO Bangladesh and the Directorate General of Health Services outlining the evolution of the IHR, Bangladesh's progress in implementing the Regulations, recent amendments and priorities for strengthening national core capacities. Members of the NIA were also briefed on their roles and responsibilities under the amended IHR, including providing strategic leadership, overseeing implementation and promoting multisectoral coordination.