WHO/Europe will convene the sixth meeting of the European Regional Laboratory Task Force for emerging and re-emerging pathogens on 17–19 November 2026.
The meeting will support health security and implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) by bringing together laboratory focal points, technical experts from WHO collaborating centres and partners to review preparedness needs, share experience and identify priorities for coordinated action on emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Discussions will build on actions agreed at the fifth Task Force meeting, including support for external quality assessments, laboratory recognition, biosafety and biosecurity, sustainable laboratory investment, One Health collaboration and coordinated technical support.
The first 2 days will bring together Task Force participants, national laboratory focal points, technical partners and WHO collaborating centres. The final day will be dedicated to WHO collaborating centres, with a focus on strengthening collaboration and agreeing on a coordinated pathway for 2027.
The meeting is hosted by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin and will be held in a hybrid format.
This meeting benefits from financial support from the Pandemic Fund and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, under the European Union’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence initiative.