GENEVA, Switzerland / RankWire.AI / – INTERPOL and the World Health Organization have formalized a partnership aimed at addressing threats at the intersection of public health and security. Announced on October 16 from their respective headquarters in Lyon and Geneva, this agreement combines INTERPOL’s law enforcement capabilities with WHO’s expertise in public health. It outlines coordinated efforts to prevent, identify, and respond to risks that threaten lives across the globe. INTERPOL’s membership includes 196 countries, while WHO operates in over 150 locations.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza highlighted the increasing link between crime and health issues, citing fake medical products and the exploitation of vulnerable populations as key concerns involving criminal networks. Urquiza emphasized that this partnership enhances INTERPOL’s ability to collaborate with WHO in safeguarding communities, helping to bring perpetrators to justice. The agreement received approval from INTERPOL’s General Assembly during its 2024 session in Glasgow.
Initially, the focus will be on extraordinary situations demanding joint health and security responses, such as incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive substances, and unusual biological events, whether natural, accidental, or intentional. These cases often require rapid sharing of information among police, health authorities, and emergency responders. Recent warnings from WHO about rising cholera deaths and other outbreaks emphasize the need for cross-border coordination of responses.
Focus on Major Events and Organ Trafficking
A key aspect of the collaboration will be managing risks during large-scale international gatherings. The goal is to help nations prepare and respond effectively to health threats in high-profile settings. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that health security equates to global security and that closer ties with INTERPOL will bolster collective emergency response efforts. He added that this partnership aims to safeguard populations from threats that compromise health systems and public confidence.
Another area of joint effort involves combating organ trafficking and illegal trade in human tissues, organs, and cells. The 2024 resolution from INTERPOL’s General Assembly identified organ trafficking among key health-related crimes of shared concern, alongside the misuse of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials. Collaborative efforts are expected to enable authorities to detect these crimes sooner and support investigations to hold perpetrators accountable.
Addressing Falsified Medicines and Tobacco Regulation
The partnership also targets illicit commodities that threaten public health, such as counterfeit medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and fake personal protective equipment. It extends to unsafe or falsely labeled food and beverages, including illegally produced alcohol. In 2017, WHO estimated that roughly 1 in 10 medical products in low- and middle-income countries was substandard or falsified, based on an analysis of 48,000 samples from 88 countries.
Joint efforts will support the enforcement of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has 183 parties since coming into force on February 27, 2005. Through cooperation, INTERPOL and WHO aim to assist nations in identifying these threats and safeguarding consumers, while strengthening global frameworks designed for public safety. The 94th session of INTERPOL’s General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong from November 30 to December 3.