May 9, 2025, SEOUL, Republic of Korea — The International Vaccine Institute (IVI), an international organization with the mission to discover, develop, and deliver vaccines for global health, marked the conclusion of an impactful week of strategic leadership meetings held in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Across three consecutive gatherings, IVI convened its Board of Trustees, Global Council, and Global Advisory Group of Experts to discuss institutional strategy, global health challenges, and collaborative pathways forward.

“This week has demonstrated the strength of IVI’s leadership, partnerships, and vision for the future of vaccines and global health,” said Dr. Jerome Kim, IVI Director General. “As the world prepares for future health threats while confronting significant funding and operational disruptions, the insights and decisions made during these meetings reinforce IVI’s commitment to advancing vaccine science and access where they are needed most.”

The Board of Trustees, composed of leaders and experts from across the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors, held its annual face-to-face meeting on May 7, discussing recent changes in global health financing and passing several Board actions, including the adoption of new mission and vision statements and approving IVI’s 2024 institutional performance report.

“During a time of immense change and uncertainty in the global health landscape, IVI is committed more than ever to its mission, our partners around the world advancing life-saving vaccine science and technology, and the communities we ultimately serve,” said George Bickerstaff, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “The Board congratulates the IVI leadership and entire team worldwide on a successful 2024 and looks forward to strategic advancements in the near future, including bringing to life our updated mission and vision statement as well as welcoming new members to IVI’s Scientific Advisory Group and Board of Trustees.”

The Global Council, a multilateral advisory body comprising all States Parties to the IVI Establishment Agreement, convened over two days. The meeting included a field visit to Andong, Republic of Korea, where representatives and members of the Board of Trustees toured a SK bioscience facility and the K-Bio CMO Center to observe innovative approaches to vaccine research and development and manufacturing. The mayor of Andong, Kwon Gichang, as well as the governor of the North Gyeongsang Province, Lee Cheol-woo, welcomed the two IVI governing bodies to the capital of the province. Reinforcing the critical need for collaboration, representatives also engaged in dialogue on national vaccine strategies and capabilities as well as pandemic preparedness.

Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, President of the IVI Global Council representing the Kingdom of Thailand, highlighted “the importance of continuing discussion on leptospirosis which is a burden in low- and middle-income countries in the tropical zone,” while also emphasizing the significance of H5 influenza preparedness and collaborative efforts in vaccine R&D. He further expressed appreciation for IVI’s recent progress, including the addition of new members—particularly from the Southeast Asia region—broadening its multilateral representation, the engagement of new donors and partners, and the continued expansion of its scientific and operational work to address emerging global health priorities.

The week included the first-ever joint session of the Board of Trustees and the Global Council, centered on the ripple effects of recent reductions in global health funding, which are straining health systems in low- and lower-middle-income countries and reversing progress in research and innovation. Members shared country-level insights and offered strategic recommendations, emphasizing the urgency of sustained investment and multilateral collaboration to safeguard global health and advance IVI’s mission.

The Global Advisory Group of Experts (GAGE), providing guidance on IVI’s global strategy, diplomacy, and institutional positioning, convened for a one-day meeting. Discussions centered around the changing geopolitical landscape and IVI’s positioning and role in product development partnerships. The GAGE also advised on IVI’s present and future funding sources and its governance model as the leadership looks ahead to IVI’s next five-year strategy.

“Bringing together IVI’s Board of Trustees, Global Council, Global Advisory Group of Experts, and senior leadership provided a holistic picture of IVI’s strategic, scientific, and diplomatic objectives,” said Dr. Anders Nordström, Chair of the Global Advisory Group of Experts. “On behalf of the GAGE, we are grateful for this opportunity to hear directly from IVI’s member countries on current global health priorities and to advise on a clear path forward to ensure progress is not lost and goals remain in focus.”

The convergence of these leadership bodies in Seoul underscores IVI’s role as a center of excellence and collaboration in vaccine innovation and equitable access. The outcomes of the week’s meetings will further inform IVI’s mission and amplify its contribution to global health security.

About the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is a non-profit international organization established in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health.

IVI’s current portfolio includes vaccines at all stages of pre-clinical and clinical development for infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, such as cholera, typhoid, chikungunya, shigella, salmonella, schistosomiasis, hepatitis E, HPV, COVID-19, and more. IVI developed the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine, pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and developed a new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccine that also achieved WHO prequalification in early 2024.

IVI is headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea with a Europe Regional Office in Sweden, an Africa Regional Office in Rwanda, a Country Office in Austria, and a Country and Project Office in Kenya. IVI additionally co-founded the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute in Hong Kong and hosts Collaborating Centers in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Madagascar. 42 countries and the WHO are members of IVI, and the governments of the Republic of Korea, Sweden, India, Finland, Austria, and Thailand provide state funding. For more information, please visit https://www.ivi.int.