Given the uniqueness of implementing JEEs in special context countries (Federated States, Overseas Territories, Small Island Developing States and Countries in Conflict), WHO convened a global meeting with representatives from special context Member States, partner organizations and regional and country office staff to recommend strategies to facilitate the implementation of JEEs and the development of National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS).

Over two and a half days, case studies were used to explore the distinctive challenges that special context countries experience when striving to meet IHR capacity requirements. Participants shared country experiences and recommended approaches to address these challenges, as well as the necessary measures to be considered when developing the guidance to support the second round of JEE implementation.

A consolidated WHO guidance to support special context countries’ efforts to implement JEE was also reviewed by participants.

A series of key issues were discussed in plenary and working group sessions. Expert presentations led to some key recommendations including the avoidance of any technical changes to the JEE tool or the framework for NAPHS. Participants also recommended several ways of adapting the process for planning JEEs and NAPHS to meet the needs of special context countries.

A number of procedural interventions and the important role of regional offices in facilitating any changes to JEEs and NAPHS were highlighted.

In particular, Overseas Territories and Small Island Developing States were identified as having similar challenges and as a consequence some joint solutions were identified. With respect to Countries in Conflict, participants shared recommendations to help manage security challenges that may impede JEE missions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants had reached consensus on the main difficulties that special context countries face, and there was agreement on the best approaches for addressing these. Importantly, the meeting also resulted in greater understanding of the role that WHO Country Offices and other key stakeholders can have in facilitating the implementation in JEEs in special context countries and globally.