29 September 2025, SEOUL, Republic of Korea — The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Global Council convened to acknowledge the transition in the Council’s Presidency and engage in strategic discussion around vaccine security, self-reliance, and equity. The Global Council is an advisory body through which parties to the Agreement on the Establishment of the IVI advise and engage with the international organization’s governance structure.

During the virtual meeting, the Republic of the Philippines assumed the Presidency of the IVI Global Council for the 2026–2027 term. The appointment of Hon. Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, Secretary of Health of the Republic of the Philippines, was confirmed as the incoming President.

Dr. Herbosa said during his remarks, “On behalf of the Philippines and the Department of Health, I express my strong commitment to this presidency to uphold and advance the objectives of the IVI Global Council and to further deepen strategic collaborations in support of vaccine security and self-reliance. The Philippines fully supports the core objectives and activities of the IVI, including vaccine discovery and development, product innovation, delivery and access, capacity building, evidence generation, and advocacy for vaccine equity, among others.”

Dr. Jerome H. Kim, IVI Director General, said, “As we celebrate the transition of leadership within the Global Council, we find ourselves in a global health environment presenting both challenges and opportunities as we strive to fulfill our vision of a healthier world made possible by vaccination, available to everyone, everywhere. We convey our deep appreciation to Thailand and extend warm welcome to the Philippines as our next President. The Global Council Presidency continues with excellent leadership.”

The Global Council as well as IVI expressed its deep appreciation to Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Kingdom of Thailand, for his leadership as outgoing President. Under Thailand’s stewardship, the Council advanced multilateral cooperation and expanded its collective focus on pressing health priorities.

Thailand also issued a call to action during the meeting, urging countries to endorse efforts to combat leptospirosis, including a proposal for WHO Member States to support the official recognition of the underacknowledged bacterial disease as a Neglected Tropical Disease.

Dr. Karnkawinpong said, “This meeting reaffirms the commitment of the International Vaccine Institute’s council of representatives to advancing the leptospirosis agenda as a World Health Assembly resolution. I am confident that with the collaboration of member countries, we can promote increased investment in research and development of a vaccine against leptospirosis, a neglected tropical disease, as well as strengthen comprehensive approaches to its prevention and control.”

The IVI Global Council reaffirmed its commitment to advancing vaccine research, development, and equitable delivery. With the Philippines assuming the presidency, the Council anticipates a new chapter of strengthened global partnerships, regional leadership, and impactful vaccine innovation.

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The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is an independent international organization originally established at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme in 1997. Its mission is to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines—empowering vaccine equity, impact, and sustainability globally.

IVI’s current portfolio includes vaccines in multiple stages of pre-clinical and clinical development targeting infectious diseases that significantly impact low- and middle-income countries, including cholera, typhoid fever, chikungunya, shigellosis, salmonellosis, schistosomiasis, hepatitis E, HPV- and group A strep-related diseases, and COVID-19. IVI developed the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine and a new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccine, both pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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 Bhutan, Burkina Faso, 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.

Contact

Kevin Keen, Head of Communications

kevin.keen@www.ivi.int