As the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Executive Director, Amb. Toru MORIKAWA delivered the opening remarks of the 2022 High-level Meeting on Risk Communication for Public Health Emergencies on the “Role of Risk Communication in Pandemics”, held in Cardiff, Wales (UK) in partnership with Public Health Wales on 19-20 October 2022.
This High-level Meeting took place in a hybrid mode, with an audience of expert risk communication professionals, hailing from more than 20 ASEM Partner countries, attending both in person and online. In addition to panel sessions on key topics- such as the interplay between risk communication and the political interface or the use of risk communication for behavioural change- a Simulated Emergency Exercise (SIMEX) was also undertaken, challenging participants to develop strategies and take decisions to address problems arising in a simulated (but realistic) emergency situation.
In his welcoming speech, Amb. MORIKAWA highlighted the vital role played by risk communication during the pandemic and praised the tireless work of the risk communication experts and officials in attendance. He pointed out the importance of leveraging the lived experiences, response playbooks, and successful adopted practices of ASEM Partner countries within the context of risk communication against the COVID-19 pandemic in order to: (1) strengthen the bi-regional risk communication capacity for PHEs, (2) streamline the networks of communication between key Asian and European experts, (3) to engender and catalyse international collaboration to improve Risk Communication for future public health emergencies.
For more information about this event, click here.
Amb Toru MORIKAWA - ED @aseforg - opens the conference on #RiskComm for #PHE highlighting the importance of sharing best practices and lessons learnt to overcome #pandemics , and thanking @PublicHealthW & @agmshankar for hosting the event and collaborating with @ASEF_PHN .
