The aim of the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control is to enhance cooperation in the field of public health and exchange of knowledge among all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). As a regional agency for public health overseen by a council composed of key decision-makers from member states equally under the umbrella of the Health Council, the centre has taken a necessary role in transnational coordination in public health. Key reflections on the first two years of the organization will be shared in the context of a time of major changes in global health structures and financing.

The pandemic pushed decision makers, emergency response structures and communities to the limit, requiring rapid decision making in times of great uncertainty. Critical gaps and lessons revealed in the health response to the pandemic can be addressed by the establishment of a new national authority dedicated to disease control. A fully operational CDC will provide Australia a lasting legacy from the lessons learned about the central role evidence plays in supporting a nationally cohesive and proportionate response, and population trust and engagement in pandemic responses. Importantly, it will also ensure oversight of national preparedness ahead of the next pandemic.

The launch of Australia’s first ever Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is little more than six months away! Momentum has been building as the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control (iCDC) prepares to become an independent Commonwealth agency from 1 January 2026. Its vision is to safeguard Australia from human diseases and public health threats. Much has been achieved since the iCDC was launched on 1 January 2024, from the creation of One Health and Health Security units, to the launch of a new national respiratory infections surveillance plan and an occupational respiratory disease register. In the first four months of this year, the iCDC has continued its work to improve the health of Australians and strengthen our preparedness to respond to future health emergencies – including by responding to measles outbreaks and preparing for a possible outbreak of the H5N1 strain of bird flu. The iCDC has been taking a One Health approach to its work (recognising the connection between the health of humans, animals, plants, and the wider environment) which has delivered real benefits. It is expected legislation to create the independent CDC will be introduced into the Australian Parliament in the second half of 2025. The independent CDC will help to deliver better health outcomes for all Australians. It will provide expert advice to Australians, partners, the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, work with state and territory governments to prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and protect Australia against future emergences that affect human health. We look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships with experts and key organisations like those attending this important conference. Together, we can really make a difference!