On June 30, 2024, AMBIT Advisory in collaboration with Canada’s International Development Research Center (IDRC) commenced a two-day regional conference on emerging biological risks in the Middle East. The event was attended by subject matter experts from the region including a delegation from EMPHNET.

The conference’s proceedings were chaired by CEO and Founder of AMBIT Advisory, His Excellency Al-Sharif Nasser Bin Nasser, who in his opening remarks gave an overview of both challenges and future visions pertaining to achieving biosecurity and biosafety in the Middle East. In his presentation, he spoke about the impact of wars and conflicts, technological advancements, the industrial revolution, and their role in achieving this outcome as well as the threats they pose.

He stated that at present we are living through the fourth industrial revolution. He confirmed that this era is characterized by a shorter timespan for the exchange of knowledge, and a great margin for the dissemination of false information and the emergence of infodemics. He also spoke about the impact of climate change, deeming it a real threat, amongst other challenges. 

He then ended his presentation by alluding to the importance of multi-sectorial collaboration, and partnership to achieve biosecurity and biosafety in our region and beyond.

Following his talk, Co-Lead for the Global Health Security at the Center of Conflict and Health Research, King’s College London, Dr. Gemma Bowsher spoke about the need to address complex systems to achieve improved biological security. She stated that the complexity of biological risks is growing and that these escalating risks require interdisciplinary work in order to develop better evidence. Processes pertaining to risk communication and uncertainty should be modified to capture the reality of biological systems today. She also added that there is a need for funders and policymakers to invest in new approaches to generating evidence. This evidence can then lead to building better policies.

The third session of the conference shed light on the international and regional frameworks for biosafety and biosecurity. The session was led by WHO Consultant, Ms. Rica Zinsky. She spoke about Resolution WHA77.7 for Strengthening Laboratory Biological Risk Management, the  WHO Laboratory Biosecurity Guidance, and the WHO technical advisory group biosafety/biosecurity and their input in the biosecurity guidance.

After surveying the nature and benefits of each of these frameworks, she ended her presentation by introducing the RAST-biosafety risk assessment tool, a mobile app that offers assistance to specialists conducting laboratory biosafety risk assessments.

In the presentation that followed, Medical Officer at WHO EMRO, Dr. Sabri Gmach shared with participants the Health and Security Interface EMRO Regional Strategic Plan.

EMPHNET Focal Person for Biosafety and Biosecurity and Team Leader, Dr Mahmoud Kayed then shared insights on the lessons learned by EMPHNET for future pandemics.

He started the presentation on a positive note by highlighting health system progress in the Eastern Mediterranean Region as seen to date. He stated that improvements did lead to higher life expectancies and that health services are accessible in many countries. He also added that health gains in processes and outcomes are achieved under favorable economic conditions. However, he did also elude to challenges encountered in the region.

These challenges include the rising cost of healthcare, inequalities in coverage, and limitations in planning, implementation, and monitoring capacity, amongst others.  He then spoke about EMPHNET’s contributions to regional COVID-19 response efforts, specifically sighting its work with countries, professionals, and partners, and its contributions to capacity building, research, and knowledge dissemination.

He ended his presentation by sharing insights for future directions, where he stressed the importance of collaborating with international partners, strengthening the implementation of IHR, supporting response plans to mitigate cross-border threats, promoting the One Health approach, and enhancing risk communication as well as community engagement.

From his end, Advisor for the Fauji Foundation in Pakistan, Prof. Aamer Ikram shed light on elements of physical security and informational security. He stated that effective biosafety and biosecurity programs integrate physical and information security with other strategies to mitigate risks and protect sensitive laboratory environments, while they encourage ongoing vigilance and continuous improvement in biosecurity practices.

Other sessions in the conference shed light on the prospects and implications of biotechnology, and those of diagnostic labs. These sessions were conducted by the MENA Bio-tech Director of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Sameh Azzam and the Chief Scientific Officer of Medlabs Group, Dr. George Sahyoun respectively.

Other speakers namely: Project Leader for Biological and Chemical Security, Global Affairs in Canada, Ms. Nataly Spears, and WHO Technical Officer, Ms. Veronica Rovegno spoke about the importance of regional and international cooperation, coordination, and assistance to mitigate biological risks, while shedding light on the impact of the UN Bio Risk Working Group.

In concluding discussions, experts present at the conference identified the next steps including the establishment of a network that will facilitate coordination and collaboration in response to emerging biological risks in the Middle East and beyond.