INTERPOL and WHO Join Forces to Tackle Health Threats at the Crossroads of Crime and Public Safety
NAIROBI, Kenya,16 Oct — INTERPOL and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a cooperation agreement to address threats where public health and security overlap, from falsified medicines to the suspected misuse of dangerous materials.
The agreement sets up a framework that pairs INTERPOL’s law enforcement expertise with WHO’s public health leadership. The aim is joint action to prevent, detect and respond to risks that endanger lives worldwide.
“Crime and health are increasingly interconnected,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza. He pointed to falsified medical products and the exploitation of vulnerable people as examples of how criminal networks put lives at risk, and said the agreement will help ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “health security is global security.” He added that closer work with INTERPOL will strengthen the ability to prevent harm and respond to emergencies.
Emergencies and mass gatherings
The partnership will focus first on exceptional situations that call for coordinated health and security action. These include incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive materials, and unusual biological events, whether naturally occurring, accidental or deliberate.
The two organizations will also coordinate around major international events and mass gatherings, helping countries prepare for potential health threats in high-visibility settings.
Protecting vulnerable people
A second priority is trafficking in persons for organ removal, along with the illegal trade in human organs, tissues and cells.
Cracking down on unsafe goods
The agreement also covers the illicit production and trade of goods that directly affect public health, including:
Falsified medical products such as medicines, vaccines and medical devices
Counterfeit personal protective equipment
Unsafe or fraudulently labelled food and drink
Illegally produced alcohol
The cooperation will also support implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Through these joint efforts, the organizations say they will help countries identify such threats, protect consumers and strengthen the international frameworks that keep people safe.
