Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Multisectoral Coordination
This National Workshop is organised and hosted by Romania’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP) and the Department for Emergency Situations within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA/DSU), with support from the European Commission through the EPIC11 project.
This event will bring together national and regional stakeholders from multiple sectors, alongside international experts, to support Romania’s preparation for the PHEPA scheduled for April 2026. It will provide a collaborative platform for representatives from public health, emergency management, laboratory services, environmental health, and related sectors. Participants will engage in structured discussions and group work aimed at strengthening preparedness, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and identifying concrete actions to inform national planning. Peer-learning sessions with other Member States that have recently undergone PHEPA assessments will offer valuable insights.
Objectives
By convening experts and stakeholders from across sectors and networks, the workshop will strengthen participants’ understanding of the EU health security framework and PHEPA. It will build a shared view of how the assessment can support Romania through tailored recommendations from the European Commission and ECDC, helping to identify capacity gaps and enhance national preparedness and response to health threats. The workshop will also provide a practical forum for cross-sector knowledge exchange and collaboration on preparedness, prevention and response (PPR) planning. Participants will jointly identify gaps, challenges and opportunities for comprehensive, multi-stakeholder PPR plans for Romania.
The specific objectives of the workshop are to:
- Raise awareness of, and build a shared understanding around, the Health Security Framework, particularly Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on SCBTH, and the PHEPA.
- Strengthen coordination, collaboration and networking among stakeholders across relevant ministries and sectors involved in emergency preparedness and response.
- Review existing PPR plans and operating procedures from different sectors.
- Identify gaps, challenges and opportunities to inform the PHEPA and support the development of a targeted action plan.
Target audience
The National Workshop will convene approximately 45 participants from across sectors involved in all-hazards prevention, preparedness and response.
Participants will include representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (including the Department for Emergency Situations, MAI/DSU), the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Education. In addition, the workshop will involve representatives from the National Institute of Public Health, the National Centre for Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control, the National Centre for Monitoring Environmental Risks, the National Laboratory of Public Health, the IHR Office, the Communication Department, the National Institute for Medical Military Research and Development “Cantacuzino”, hospitals, and the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority.
From the Ministry of Health, participants will include the Department of Medical Assistance and Public Health, the Emergency Medicine Department / EOC (COSU), the Foreign Relations and European Affairs Service, and the Department of Communication.
Programme
This two-day workshop will combine expert presentations with interactive group discussions. Participants will receive an overview of the EU Health Security Framework and the PHEPA process, followed by focused sessions addressing Romania's current pandemic preparedness. Participants will co-develop practical next steps to guide preparations ahead of the 2026 PHEPA assessment.
- A networking dinner at the end of Day 1 will provide an opportunity for informal exchange. Preparatory materials and a detailed programme will be circulated to registered participants.
Date and location
Dates:
- Tuesday, 28 October 2025: 09:00 – 17:00 (registration opens at 08:45), followed by a networking dinner
- Wednesday, 29 October 2025: 09:00 – 15:30
Venue: Epoque hotel, Intrarea Aurora 17C, București 010213, Romania
Language: The event will be conducted in both Romanian and English, with presentations delivered by international speakers, which will be held in English, while group work discussions will be held in Romanian.
Preparatory materials
Participants are advised to read the following documents beforehand:
Disclaimer: This website was produced under the EU4Health Programme under a service contract with the European Health and Digital Executive Agency acting under the mandate from the European Commission. The information and views set out in this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Commission / Executive Agency. The Commission / Executive Agency do not guarantee the accuracy of the data included on this website. Neither the Commission / Executive Agency nor any person acting on the Commission’s / Executive Agency’s behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.