The WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) convened the 2026 Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) Kick-Off Meeting to support implementation of the approved 2026–2027 PIP PC workplans under PIP PC High Level Implementation Plan III. The meeting brought together focal points from WHO Country Offices (WCOs) of nine PIP PC recipient countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, DPR Korea, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste), along with representatives from SEARO and WHO Headquarters (PIP Secretariat and Global Influenza Programme).
Held over three days in 90-minute sessions on 19–20 February and 24 March 2026, the meeting provided global and regional updates, reviewed country workplans aligned with Outputs 1 (Policies and plans) and 2 (Collaborative Surveillance), and facilitated discussions on collaboration, technical support, and strengthened monitoring and knowledge-sharing to enhance pandemic influenza preparedness across the Region.
Participants during Day 1 of the virtual SEAR PIP PC Kick-Off Meeting 2026
Global and Regional Updates
The PIP Secretariat provided an overview of the global context highlighting key priorities for the 2026–2027 biennium, emphasizing the catalytic role of PIP PC in pandemic influenza preparedness. Approximately USD 35 million has been allocated globally for this biennium, supporting around 80 priority countries including 9 countries in SEAR. The year 2026 also marks the 15th anniversary of the PIP Framework, with global advocacy and visibility initiatives planned to showcase achievements and strengthen awareness of PIP’s contribution to pandemic preparedness. Global technical updates emphasized the continued importance of strengthening laboratory and surveillance systems under the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). During discussions, global influenza programme also shared updates on efforts to improve timely access to reagents through the International Reagent Resource (IRR) and the WHO shipping fund, which will continue to support countries during the current biennium.
At the regional level, Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM) Unit outlined key operational priorities for the implementation of the 2026 workplans, noting the Region’s strong compliance performance. WCOs were encouraged to ensure that planned activities lead to tangible improvements in national influenza preparedness systems. Emphasis was placed on timely implementation, compliance and strengthening documentation and reporting to enhance visibility of PIP-PC achievements and facilitate knowledge sharing. SEARO also updated participants on upcoming regional meetings, including plans for the access, allocation, and deployment of medical countermeasures (tentatively in July 2026) and the annual PIP PC meeting in October 2026.
Country Plans and Priorities
During the meeting, WCOs shared their planned activities under the approved 2026 PIP-PC workplans, including finalizing national pandemic preparedness plans, conducting simulation exercises, expanding genomic surveillance, strengthening One Health coordination, and enhancing laboratory capacity. Countries also highlighted the need for technical support from SEARO and WHO HQ for trainings, burden of disease studies, and implementation of the PRET approach.
Bangladesh will finalize and endorse its updated pandemic preparedness plan, conduct simulation exercises, and continue capacity-building, including laboratory and outbreak investigation trainings. Bhutan plans a national simulation exercise, sentinel site assessments, and strengthened coordination between human and animal health sectors, alongside laboratory training and SOP development. DPR Korea aims to finalize and test its updated pandemic plan, strengthen sentinel surveillance, and continue ongoing laboratory support. India will enhance influenza surveillance and reporting, strengthen coordination across ministries, and conduct state-level simulation exercises following the recent update of its national plan. Maldives plans to conduct high-level multisectoral coordination meetings, and clinical management trainings and simulation exercises.
Participants during Day 2 of the virtual SEAR PIP PC Kick-Off Meeting 2026
Similarly, Myanmar will finalize its National Influenza Preparedness and Pandemic Plan, enhance outbreak detection and RDT capacity, and improve cross-border sample referral systems. Nepal will further strengthen its National Influenza Surveillance Network, expand genomic surveillance, and advance its pandemic preparedness plan using the PRET approach. Sri Lanka will implement recommendations from the influenza burden of disease assessment, improve sentinel site sampling, and test the pandemic preparedness plan with simulation exercises. Timor-Leste will continue strengthening influenza surveillance and laboratory systems, operationalize its draft preparedness plan, and expand genomic surveillance, with support requested for reagents and continuity of laboratory operations.
Conclusion and way forward
The meeting concluded with agreement on key actions to strengthen pandemic influenza preparedness across the South-East Asia Region. WCOs were requested ensure compliance with PIP guidance, review the 2026–27 Planning Matrix for alignment with HLIP III outputs, submit monthly progress reports on activities and outcomes, share visibility materials, and coordinate with SEARO and WHO Headquarters to access technical support. SEARO will continue close coordination with WCOs and the PIP Secretariat, providing technical and operational guidance, facilitating trainings, workshops, and regional meetings, and consolidating lessons learned. WHO Headquarters, together with SEARO and relevant experts, agreed to provide global technical guidance, monitor compliance and lead global advocacy and visibility initiatives, including activities for the 15-year PIP anniversary.
Held annually, the kickoff meeting underscored SEARO's continued commitment to supporting countries in strengthening capacities for pandemic influenza preparedness, readiness, and response, marking an important milestone in the region.