The International Health Regulations, or IHR (2005), represent an agreement between 196 States Parties to work together for global health security. Through the IHR (2005), countries have agreed to 1) build their capacities to detect, assess and report public health risks and emergencies that can have devastating impacts on human health and economies, and to 2) establish a global system for early notification and information sharing. WHO is hosting the secretariat of the IHR (2005)