Berlin, Germany – Germany’s Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken, visited the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin on March 19, 2026, to review progress and officially launch its 2025 Annual Report. The report details significant advancements in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and pathogen genomics to enhance global preparedness for future pandemics.
Global Collaboration and Impact in 2025
In 2025, the WHO Hub in Berlin demonstrated extensive collaborative efforts, working with over 160 Member States and more than 190 partners. These collaborations were instrumental in assisting countries and organizations in developing new systems and tools. The primary objective of these initiatives is to detect and understand emerging public health threats as rapidly as possible, regardless of their geographical origin or timing.
Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken emphasized the critical role of early outbreak detection. “Detecting outbreaks early is one of the most effective ways to save lives and prevent epidemics from becoming global crises,” she stated. Warken further expressed Germany’s pride in hosting and supporting the WHO Hub, highlighting its contribution to national safety and global health protection.
Technological Innovations in Epidemic Intelligence
The Hub’s 2025 achievements include significant upgrades to its technological infrastructure. A key development was the launch of an enhanced version of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system. This upgraded system now incorporates advanced AI functions, enabling it to scan global online information in real-time. This capability allows experts to quickly identify unusual health events, and the system is currently utilized by 120 countries, marking a substantial expansion of its reach and impact.
Beyond traditional health data, the Hub is actively supporting countries in implementing Collaborative Surveillance. This approach integrates diverse data sets, including information on climate, animal health, travel patterns, and population movement. By combining these varied data sources, Collaborative Surveillance provides a more comprehensive and real-time understanding of potential health threats, enabling more proactive responses.
Advancing Pathogen Genomics and Surveillance
Another critical area of focus for the Hub in 2025 was the expansion of global access to pathogen genomics. This technology is vital for scientists to detect new pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, and to understand their spread and potential danger. Through the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN), the WHO Hub in Berlin collaborated with 309 partners across 101 countries, significantly broadening access to these advanced technologies.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, underscored the necessity of new tools in addressing contemporary global health threats. “We are in a new era of global health threats, and we need new tools to face tomorrow’s challenges,” he remarked. Dr Ihekweazu highlighted the Hub’s role in empowering countries to utilize data and technology more effectively for earlier risk identification and faster response, stressing that no single country can tackle these threats alone and that strong cooperation remains the most effective defense.
Berlin as a Hub for Innovation and Collaboration
Dr Oliver Morgan, Head of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, praised Berlin as an ideal environment for their work. He noted the close collaboration with world-leading institutions, including the Robert Koch Institute and the Charité Center for Global Health. Dr Morgan also acknowledged Germany’s unwavering support since the Hub’s establishment, emphasizing that this strong partnership fosters innovation in pandemic and epidemic intelligence and enhances support for countries preparing for future health threats.
The Hub is continuously expanding its use of advanced analytics and mathematical modeling to forecast outbreak developments and assess the effectiveness of various response measures. Its Collaboratory initiative connects modelers and analysts with governments, ensuring that their work addresses genuine public health needs. In 2025, the Collaboratory community grew significantly, reaching 1300 members from 50 countries and 200 institutions. Currently in the prototyping phase, an AI-powered pandemic simulator is being developed to assist decision-makers in comparing outbreak scenarios and identifying effective disease control measures.
Looking Ahead
The achievements highlighted in the 2025 Annual Report underscore the WHO Hub in Berlin’s pivotal role in global health security. By fostering international cooperation and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the Hub continues to strengthen the world’s capacity to detect, assess, and respond to public health emergencies.
