In the bustling Asia-Pacific region, where maritime transport is often the very backbone of economies, seaports and ships present a persistent vulnerability as potential gateways for infectious diseases to spread both within the region and globally. Ensuring health security via these critical waterways is a fundamental prerequisite for the region’s stability, shared prosperity and collective public health resilience.
In December 2025, Member States belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with China, leveraged cutting-edge technology to strengthen maritime health security and cross-border cooperation. A three-day virtual learning programme brought together 201 participants to receive vital, competency-based capacity-building in core areas such as ship sanitation inspection procedures, certificate issuance and emergency management. Participants learnt how to identify and assess infectious diseases risks, take initial control measures and ensure rapid information-sharing for coordinated action.
Advancing maritime health security through the One Health approach
“After this training, I realized that ocean liners - which host thousands of passengers - are effectively floating micro-cities where people, animals, water, food stores, ventilation and waste streams interact in a confined ecosystem,” said Ms Phary Yim from the Cambodia Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “This human-animal-environment nexus truly demands a One Health lens to detect and break transmission of zoonotic, vector-borne and waterborne threats before arriving at the next port. This training was incredibly valuable in understanding our role in outbreak prevention and response within this specific context.”
The initiative was organized by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific and WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia. GACC is a WHO Collaborating Centre for International Health Regulations, Points of Entry, and the programme was hosted by the Xiamen Customs District of GACC. The primary focus was on aligning practices with the core requirements of the International Health Regulations (2005).
Cross-border solidarity enhances regional health security
Thanking GACC for their leadership, Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, reiterated the value of the programme: “Pathogens can quickly spread far and wide in our interconnected region and world through a variety of transportation systems and vehicles, including ships and other maritime vessels. This training is a direct and timely response to the strong interest from ASEAN Member States to strengthen core capacities and cross-border coordination at points of entry.”
Mr Zhu Zhaoyin, Director of GACC, concurred: “This programme will enhance China-ASEAN dialogue and exchange on ship sanitation inspection and certificate issuance, ensuring the security and stability of international maritime trade.”
During the programme, experts from GACC facilitated sessions, sharing evidence-based regulations, field experiences and outbreak response strategies. To enhance regional solidarity, home-grown innovations from China were shared, including:
- Digital ship sanitation certificates: The introduction of electronic documentation streamlines the certification process, improving efficiency and accessibility.
- Smart glasses for on-site inspection: Inspectors can use this wearable technology during physical checks, potentially allowing for real-time data-sharing, communication, or exchange of reference materials while operating hands-free.
- Intelligent training base for ship sanitation inspection: A facility that integrates simulation technology with physical scenarios can provide competency-based capacity-building and training for personnel.
Participants explored the idea of creating an interconnected and interoperable mechanism for digital certificates across the region, with GACC committed to providing ongoing technical and training support.
Leveraging best practices, this collaborative effort is poised to advance health security across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.