Jakarta, 27 April 2026: ERIA, in collaboration with the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), co-hosted a closed-door roundtable titled ‘Indonesia’s Response to a Changing Global Health Landscape’ at the ERIA Office.

The roundtable brought together Indonesian policymakers and selected experts to discuss recent developments in global health governance, Indonesia’s position on the evolving role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international institutions, and opportunities to strengthen national health security through regional and South–South co-operation.

The discussion took place against the backdrop of lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting geopolitical dynamics, which have underscored the importance of resilient health systems, effective governance, and international co-operation. These challenges are further compounded by emerging risks, including climate-related health impacts, migration, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the growing influence of commercial determinants of health within an evolving multilateral landscape.

Representing ERIA, Dr Manami Uechi, Director of the Health and Social Welfare Unit, opened the session with an overview of ERIA’s role and ongoing initiatives. She highlighted key programmes, including ASEAN-wide flagship projects on diagnostics, social welfare initiatives, and the Medical Excellence in Asia programme. Dr Uechi also reaffirmed ERIA’s commitment to supporting Indonesia in strengthening its capacity and role in regional and global health governance.

Prof. David Mc Coy, Policy Research Lead at UNU-IIGH, introduced the United Nations University system, noting its network of 14 academic institutes that bridge research and policy. He highlighted UNU-IIGH’s focus on reducing inequalities in global health and expressed appreciation for ERIA’s collaboration in organising the roundtable.

The roundtable then proceeded with in-depth discussions led by UNU-IIGH on two interrelated themes. The first focused on global health governance, including multilateral institutions, geopolitical developments, and global health financing. The second examined regional health governance and platforms, including the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO), ASEAN mechanisms, and broader Southeast Asian co-operation frameworks.

Both sessions featured active and substantive exchanges, with participants sharing perspectives and identifying key priorities. There was strong interest in continuing the dialogue to support Indonesia’s role as a constructive and proactive leader in regional and global health.

The roundtable concluded with a summary of key insights, followed by a networking session.