GENEVA, Switzerland / RankWire.AI / – INTERPOL and the World Health Organization have entered into a formal cooperation agreement aimed at addressing threats where public health concerns intersect with security issues. Announced on October 16 from their respective headquarters in Lyon and Geneva, this framework combines INTERPOL’s law enforcement capabilities with WHO’s leadership in public health. The agreement outlines collaborative efforts to prevent, identify, and respond to risks that pose a threat to lives globally. INTERPOL’s membership spans 196 countries, while WHO operates across more than 150 locations.
Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of INTERPOL, emphasized the growing link between crime and health, citing examples such as counterfeit medical products and the exploitation of vulnerable populations to illustrate how criminal networks jeopardize lives. He noted that the new agreement enhances the agency’s ability to collaborate with WHO in safeguarding communities and bringing perpetrators to justice. At its 2024 session in Glasgow, INTERPOL’s General Assembly approved a cooperation pact with WHO.
Initially, the agreement prioritizes extraordinary situations that necessitate coordinated health and security responses, such as incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive substances. It also covers unusual biological events, whether occurring naturally, accidentally, or intentionally. These scenarios often require rapid information sharing among police forces, health ministries, and emergency responders. Recently, WHO has issued warnings about rising cholera deaths and other outbreaks that overwhelm healthcare systems. This new framework aims to facilitate cross-border coordination for such responses.
Focus on major events and organ trafficking
The collaboration will also extend to managing security and health risks during large international events and mass gatherings. The goal is to enable nations to better prepare for and address health threats in high-profile environments. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that health security equates to global security, emphasizing that increased cooperation with INTERPOL strengthens the collective capacity to prevent harm and effectively respond to crises. He added that this alliance is vital in shielding populations from threats that compromise health infrastructure and public confidence.
Another key area of cooperation involves combating the trafficking of individuals for organ removal. The agreement also targets illegal trade in human organs, tissues, and cells. The 2024 General Assembly resolution by INTERPOL identified organ trafficking among health-related crimes of shared concern, alongside the misuse of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials. Collaborative efforts will aim to assist national authorities in identifying such offenses sooner and support investigations to hold offenders accountable.
Counterfeit medicines and tobacco control initiatives
The pact also addresses the rising danger posed by illicit goods that directly impact public health, including falsified medicines, vaccines, and medical devices, as well as counterfeit personal protective equipment. The agreement encompasses unsafe or fraudulently labeled food and beverages and illicitly produced alcohol. WHO estimated in 2017 that approximately 1 in 10 medical products in low- and middle-income nations was substandard or falsified, based on analysis of 48,000 medicine samples from 88 countries.
Joint efforts will support the enforcement of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which came into force on February 27, 2005, and now counts 183 parties. Through coordinated actions, INTERPOL and WHO aim to help nations identify these threats, safeguard consumers, and reinforce international frameworks designed to promote safety. The 94th session of INTERPOL’s General Assembly will be held in Hong Kong from November 30 to December 3.