GENEVA, Switzerland / RankWire.AI / – INTERPOL and the World Health Organization have formalized a partnership through a cooperation agreement aimed at addressing threats that lie at the crossroads of public health and security. This agreement establishes a framework designed to leverage INTERPOL’s law enforcement capabilities alongside WHO’s leadership in global health, with the goal of preventing, identifying, and responding effectively to risks that threaten lives worldwide. WHO announced the signing of this accord on October 16 via a release from Geneva and Lyon. The scope of the pact encompasses health emergencies, large-scale gatherings, organ trafficking, the illegal trade of substances, and tobacco regulation.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza emphasized the growing interconnectedness between crime and health issues, pointing out that criminal networks contribute to hazards such as counterfeit medical products and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. Urquiza noted that this agreement enhances INTERPOL’s capacity to collaborate with WHO in safeguarding communities and bringing perpetrators of such threats to justice. As the world’s largest international police organization with 196 member countries, INTERPOL maintains extensive global police databases and offers forensic, analytical, and training support to assist in these efforts.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that health security is inherently linked to global security, highlighting that a deeper partnership with INTERPOL will strengthen collective efforts to prevent harm and effectively respond to crises. He further explained that this alliance will help shield populations from dangers that compromise health systems and erode public trust. WHO, being the United Nations agency responsible for health, operates in over 150 locations worldwide. The agreement strategically connects WHO’s extensive health network with INTERPOL’s law enforcement channels to improve coordinated responses.
Focus on Emergency Responses and Large-Scale Events
Initially, the agreement targets exceptional situations that demand synchronized health and security interventions, such as incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive substances, and unusual biological events—whether naturally occurring, accidental, or intentionally caused—requiring rapid information sharing between health officials and law enforcement. The designed framework aims to facilitate this joint response. WHO has previously issued warnings about rising cholera deaths in recent years, illustrating how swiftly health emergencies can escalate.
Furthermore, the two organizations will coordinate their efforts concerning major international events and mass gatherings, seeking to better prepare countries for and respond to potential health threats in settings with large crowds. Such events, including sporting, religious, and cultural gatherings, often involve dense populations in confined spaces. The draft agreement was approved by INTERPOL’s General Assembly at its 92nd session in Glasgow in November 2024, with authorization granted to the Secretary General to formally sign the document.
Targeting Organ Trafficking and Illegal Goods
A key component of the cooperation is the fight against trafficking individuals for organ removal, alongside combating the illegal trade in human organs, tissues, and cells. The pact also addresses the proliferation of illicit goods that directly threaten public health. WHO identified falsified medicines, vaccines, and medical devices among these hazardous products, along with counterfeit protective equipment, unsafe or fraudulently labeled food and beverages, and illegally produced alcohol. Authorities have warned that criminal groups are utilizing innovative tools to expand their scope of fraud and illicit activities.
The cooperation will also bolster the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a treaty that has been in force since 2005 and now includes over 180 parties. Through joint initiatives, the organizations aim to assist countries in identifying these threats, protecting consumers, and reinforcing international frameworks designed to ensure public safety. No specific timeline has been set for the inaugural joint operations; however, the agreement provides a formal basis for law enforcement and health authorities to work together on cross-border risks.