In a significant step towards strengthening global health cooperation, the European Union (EU) and Canada have launched the EU-Canada Health Policy Dialogue.
This new initiative, established under the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), aims to enhance collaboration on key health issues affecting populations in both regions and worldwide.
The virtual meeting, held between Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and Canada’s Minister of Health, Mark Holland, marked the formal beginning of this partnership.
The dialogue will focus on three global health priorities: antimicrobial resistance (AMR), health security, and non-communicable diseases, including cancer and mental health.
As Commissioner Kyriakides stated: “Canada is a key partner for the EU when it comes to tackling global health challenges.
“With today’s launch of the first EU-Canada Health Policy Dialogue, we are reaffirming our mutual commitment to a closer partnership on health under the SPA.
Global cooperation is key when it comes to responding to pandemics, tackling AMR and improving cancer and mental health care.
“I firmly believe that the EU and Canada working together helps to improve healthcare in the EU and beyond and deliver on our commitments in the EU Global Health Strategy.”
Tackling antimicrobial resistance
The EU and Canada underscored the growing global health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, recognising it as an urgent public health and socio-economic issue.
Both parties highlighted the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting on AMR as an important opportunity to reinforce global commitment to addressing this challenge.
The dialogue commits the EU and Canada to closer collaboration on monitoring antimicrobial use, enhancing surveillance, and setting targets to reduce resistance.
Additionally, both sides will promote the ‘One Health’ approach, which integrates environmental factors into the fight against AMR and explores economic incentives to stimulate the development of new antimicrobials.
This united effort aims to strengthen global health systems and prevent the rise of drug-resistant infections.
Reinforced cooperation on health security
Another critical area of focus is global health security, particularly in pandemic preparedness and response.
The EU and Canada pledged to strengthen international collaboration to improve pandemic detection, prevention, and response mechanisms.
Central to these efforts is the World Health Organization (WHO), which both parties emphasised as a vital institution for global health governance.
The discussion also highlighted the recently amended International Health Regulations as an essential tool in enhancing global health security.
Furthermore, they will support the development of a new Pandemic Agreement aimed at ensuring the world is better prepared for future health emergencies.
Climate change was also a significant point of discussion. The EU and Canada committed to addressing the health risks posed by extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and the spread of vector-borne diseases.
By pooling resources and expertise, both regions aim to mitigate the impact of climate change on global health.
Advancing cancer care and mental health
The third pillar of the dialogue centres on non-communicable diseases, with a particular focus on cancer and mental health.
Both the EU and Canada aim to improve cancer prevention, detection, and treatment through collaborative research and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
This partnership will prioritise equitable access to cancer care, with the EU and Canada exchanging best practices on modern healthcare approaches.
High-impact, transnational research will play a central role in identifying more effective methods to combat cancer on a global scale.
Mental health was also a key topic, as both sides recognised the need for more comprehensive and accessible mental health services.
Through a series of knowledge exchanges, the EU and Canada will share policies and strategies to enhance mental health support, both in-person and through digital platforms.
Holland added: “The launch of the first Canada-EU Health Policy Dialogue emphasises the importance of global partnerships to make progress on our common health priorities, including AMR, health security, climate-related health risks, and our approaches to non-communicable diseases.
“Our collaborative efforts to address these priority areas will help us improve health and wellbeing for people in Canada and also contribute to global efforts for a healthier world for everyone.”
