Foreword

The importance of paying close attention to health security has become more urgent than ever as the world continues to deal with the devastating impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Since its outbreak in 2020, the pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 has already resulted in millions of lives lost and inflicted untold human misery and suffering to people globally.

The Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, is one of the leading centres in Asia that highlights the critical linkages between non-traditional security challenges, like climate change and health security, to national and global security. As we have seen, the COVID-19 pandemic is more than a public health emergency of international concern. Its severe impacts cut across economic security, food security, environmental security and personal security, among others.

As the international community continues to grapple with the consequential impact of COVID-19, it is sobering to note that other pandemics are expected to emerge. Thus, the need to advance the global agenda of pandemic preparedness and response cannot be overstated given the evolving nature of emerging infectious diseases. In this regard, knowledge building and sharing of information are among the key pillars in understanding and preparing to respond effectively to global public health crises and promoting global health governance.