Imagine a world where a single health crisis in one country could spiral into a global catastrophe. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a real threat. But here’s the good news: countries are gearing up to fight back through cutting-edge regional simulation exercises designed to fortify global health security. In 2025, nations across three World Health Organization (WHO) regions—South-East Asia, Europe, and the Western Pacific—put their International Health Regulations (IHR) capabilities to the test, ensuring they’re ready to detect, report, and respond to public health threats with international consequences.
These exercises—SAPHIRE (South-East Asia Regional Practice of All-Hazard IHR Event Communications), JADE (Joint Assessment and Detection of Events) in Europe, and CRYSTAL in the Western Pacific—aren’t just drills; they’re lifelines. They bring together National Focal Points (NFPs), the unsung heroes of global health security, to stress-test communication protocols and contingency plans. But here’s where it gets controversial: Are these simulations enough to prepare for the unpredictable nature of global health emergencies? Let’s dive in.
SAPHIRE 2025: When Food Safety Meets Global Health
In July 2025, over 190 experts from 10 South-East Asian countries gathered to simulate a food safety incident with the potential to become a public health emergency of international concern. Through email-based scenarios and virtual debriefs, participants tested their operational readiness, communication channels, and adherence to IHR Annex 2 and INFOSAN (International Food Safety Authorities Network) criteria. The results? Improved role clarity, stronger cross-sectoral coordination, and better access to WHO’s Event Information Site (EIS). And this is the part most people miss: SAPHIRE’s structured self-review process and country-specific feedback reports are paving the way for targeted capacity-building across the region.
Dr. Buddha Nilesh, WHO’s Regional Emergency Director for South-East Asia, highlighted the exercise’s evolution: “SAPHIRE 2025 reinforced the critical link between IHR NFPs and INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points, showcasing flexibility and cross-sectoral collaboration.”
JADE 2025: Chemical Threats Under the Microscope
In November, 41 European countries simulated a chemical event with international implications, focusing on real-time communication and coordination between NFPs and WHO Regional Contact Points. Participants practiced two-way notification, verification processes, and the use of IHR Annex 2 decision tools. Here’s the bold question: How well can countries truly collaborate when faced with a chemical emergency? JADE 2025 engaged partners from chemical safety, environmental, civil protection, and laboratory sectors to review international assistance mechanisms, strengthening both communication pathways and cross-sector collaboration.
Ihor Perehinets, Health Security and Regional Emergency Director at WHO’s European Office, emphasized: “Simulation exercises like JADE provide a safe space to test our systems under pressure, ensuring we’re ready for complex, multi-hazard events.”
CRYSTAL 2025: Preparing for the Next Pandemic
In December, 31 countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region rehearsed their response to a fictional novel respiratory illness, mirroring the threat of a pandemic. The exercise focused on real-time verification, information-sharing, and public health risk assessment, with a spotlight on points of entry. But here’s the counterpoint: While the scenario focused on influenza, can these lessons truly be applied to other emerging threats? Supported by the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, CRYSTAL helped refine contingency plans, strengthen interoperability, and build trust among agencies—key elements for rapid emergency response.
Dr. Shimoaraiso Makato, Public Health Advisor at the Asia-Europe Foundation, noted: “Multisectoral coordination at points of entry is critical to contain pandemics early. CRYSTAL’s scenario was apt, and its outcomes can be applied to other priority hazards.”
The Bigger Picture: A Stronger Global Health Security System
Together, SAPHIRE, JADE, and CRYSTAL 2025 underscore the importance of regular, realistic simulation exercises. By testing communication systems, refining multisectoral coordination, and reinforcing NFP responsibilities, these exercises ensure countries are better prepared, connected, and resilient. But here’s the thought-provoking question: As global health threats evolve, are we doing enough to stay ahead of the curve?
What do you think? Are these simulation exercises sufficient to prepare for the next global health crisis? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
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