The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) alongside 13 other global, and regional entities sat for the launch meeting of the Strategic Leadership Group (SLG), an initiative launched by the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This meeting, which took place virtually on 13 April 2021, to approve the group’s charter and establish priorities.

The purpose of the SLG is to provide high-level commitment and drive progress toward global applied epidemiology capacity by offering action-oriented guidance and recommendations. The work of the SLG will ensure high-level leadership and accountability for Global Field Epidemiology while driving forward the progress of the FETP Enterprise which is a multi-partner undertaking that includes the development, implementation, and evaluation of FETPs around the globe.

The formation of the SLG was first conceptualized during a meeting held in Bellagio, Italy, in June 2018 alongside the birth of the FETP Enterprise. This meeting was held by the Task Force for Global Health and was attended by 19 leaders of global field epidemiology training. Together, participants in this meeting examined FETP sustainability, governance, and other critical issues and the result of their analysis led to the Global Field Epidemiology Roadmap which includes the recommendations that are to guide the SLG today in achieving its goals. The formation of the SLG is the first of eight recommendations set forth in the Global Field Epidemiology Roadmap.

With the world continuing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and other re-emerging infectious diseases, NCDs, and other natural and humanitarian challenges, the launch of the SLG is more important today than ever before, and with more than 80 FETPs functioning around the world, and over 16,000 graduates globally, sustaining the FETP Enterprise is a necessity. The SLG will therefore work to advance global disease surveillance, detection, and response by monitoring the needs to develop and enhance the FETP Enterprise. Its functions will include developing guidance, recommendations, and standards; as well as tools, systems, and policies towards achievement of its objectives.

The SLG is co-chaired by the Director of CDC’s Center for Global Health, Dr.  Rebecca Martin, and Assistant Director-General for Emergency Response at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr.  Ibrahima Socé Fall, Its members represent regional and global entities including; Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI),Public Health England, The Gates Foundation, WHO, CDC. and TEPHINET, and EMPHNET.