The dialogue highlighted the importance of optimizing existing regional mechanisms and initiatives, particularly those that operate through the Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) Program as the primary platform for fostering regional collaboration on health security. By leveraging the MBT Program, ASEAN can further strengthen biosafety and biosecurity efforts and enhance cross-sector coordination to build a more resilient and effective regional response to biological threats. One priority is maximizing the use of virtual platforms and portals for information-sharing among ASEAN Member States, partners, and stakeholders. The ASEAN Public Health Emergencies (PHE) Portal and Learning Management System (LMS) were identified as valuable assets that should be further leveraged. However, these platforms require active content contribution and curation to remain effective and relevant. By systematically populating these portals with timely and relevant online resources and training materials, ASEAN can improve knowledge sharing and capacity building without creating new systems from scratch.
In the same vein, it is critical to strengthen and expand existing networks rather than create entirely new structures. The ASEAN Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Network and the ASEAN BioDiaspora Virtual Centre (ABVC) are key information-sharing mechanisms that already operate through the MBT Program. These mechanisms serve as critical hubs for regional coordination, real-time data exchange, and capacity-building. By building upon these established mechanisms, ASEAN can identify gaps within current systems, align initiatives with global and national agendas, and ensure more efficient resource utilization.
ASEAN should also utilize existing international assessment frameworks to avoid duplication and enhance evidence-based decision-making, such as the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) Report, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) National Action Plans (NAPs), and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) Report on Biological Security Priorities in Southeast Asia. Using these frameworks will help ASEAN Member States address critical gaps and challenges and drive targeted improvements in biosafety, biosecurity, and overall health security across ASEAN.