Global Experts Convene to Advance Pathogen Genomics Surveillance Implementation

Translating genomics from research to public health requires a multi-sector and whole systems approach. Preceding the Global Partner’s Forum was a workshop on Capacity building and implementation, during which Asia PGI was invited to present an overview of its training activities and played a key role in providing a regional perspective on capacity building for implementation. It was discussed that improving the access to pathogen genomic surveillance globally (including resource limited settings) will require strong coordinated efforts in capacity building and a multi-sectorial approach to ensure implementation.

In the fast-evolving world of pathogen genomics, innovations like wastewater genomic surveillance are redefining early threat detection and public health responses. These technologies exemplify the forum’s shared mission: to accelerate advancements in pathogen genomics and integrate them into public health systems worldwide.

A centrepiece of the forum was the unveiling of a collection of tools co-developed by WHO IPSN and its global partners, addressing the challenges of scaling pathogen genomics capabilities. As part of this effort, Asia PGI showcased its Pathogen Prioritisation Tool in a dedicated breakout session. The tool, developed over the past year, enables countries to systematically prioritise pathogens for genomic surveillance based on their public health significance. 

The session sparked lively discussions, with participants providing valuable feedback on its components and potential applications. This co-development process underscored the power of collaboration, reinforcing the tool's relevance and usability for diverse contexts, including resource-limited settings.