GENEVA, Switzerland / RankWire.AI / – INTERPOL and the World Health Organization established a cooperative framework to address threats that sit at the crossroads of public health and security. This agreement aims to unify INTERPOL’s law enforcement capabilities with WHO’s leadership in public health to enhance efforts in prevention, detection, and response to risks threatening lives. WHO announced this accord on October 16 through a release from Geneva and Lyon. It encompasses areas such as health emergencies, large-scale gatherings, organ trafficking, illegal commodities, and tobacco regulation.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza emphasized the growing links between crime and health concerns. He highlighted risks such as counterfeit medical products and the exploitation of vulnerable populations by criminal organizations. Urquiza noted that the agreement boosts INTERPOL’s capacity to collaborate with WHO in safeguarding communities, emphasizing that it will also aid in bringing perpetrators of such threats to justice. As the world’s largest international police organization with 196 member countries, INTERPOL manages global police databases and offers forensic, analytical, and training support.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that health security is a matter of global security. He highlighted that strengthening collaboration with INTERPOL enhances collective efforts to prevent harm and efficiently respond to emergencies. He further expressed that this partnership will help shield populations from threats that weaken health systems and undermine public confidence. WHO, as the United Nations agency for health, operates across more than 150 locations worldwide. This agreement effectively links WHO’s extensive public health network with INTERPOL’s law enforcement channels.
Focus on Emergency Response and Large Events
The initial focus of the agreement is on exceptional situations demanding coordinated health and security intervention. These include incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive substances, as well as unusual biological events that might be natural, accidental, or deliberate. In such cases, rapid sharing of information between health authorities and law enforcement is crucial. The established framework is designed to facilitate this joint response. WHO has also issued warnings about rising cholera deaths, illustrating how swiftly health crises can escalate.
Additionally, the two organizations will coordinate their efforts during major international events and mass gatherings. This aims to improve countries’ preparedness and response strategies in settings that draw large crowds. Events such as sporting, religious, and cultural gatherings, which often take place in confined spaces, pose significant health risks. The draft agreement received approval from INTERPOL’s General Assembly during its 92nd session in Glasgow in November 2024, where the Secretary General was authorized to sign the document.
Addressing Organ Trafficking and the Sale of Illicit Goods
A secondary aspect of the cooperation targets trafficking of individuals for organ removal and illegal trade in human organs, tissues, and cells. The pact also addresses illicit goods that have a direct impact on public health, including falsified medicines, vaccines, and medical devices, as listed by WHO. Counterfeit protective equipment, food and beverages that are unsafe or fraudulently labeled, and illegally produced alcohol are also covered. Authorities warn that criminal groups are increasingly employing new tools to expand their fraud and illicit activities.
The partnership will further support the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has more than 180 signatories since entering into force in 2005. Through combined efforts, the organizations aim to help nations identify these threats, safeguard consumers, and strengthen international frameworks designed to protect public health. No specific timeline has been announced for the first joint operations. The agreement provides a formal basis for police and health authorities to collaborate on cross-border risks.