Welcome to the first edition of HERA Industry Days. Its wonderful to see so many industry leaders and representatives from member states. We all share a crucial mission: keeping people safe and healthy.
This event marks a new chapter in the Commissions collaboration with the industry on health emergency preparedness. True readiness requires dialogue, innovation, and collaboration.
These days are about listening and learning to shape the future of medical countermeasures together. This is Europe at its best: united and strategic.
The COVID-19 pandemic showed that Europe was not ready. We learned lessons and established HERA to be prepared in the future. We are building a stronger Health Union with warning systems and strategic stockpiles.
Our cooperation with industry and global partners is crucial. Through joint procurement, we have secured millions of vaccines against global threats like Covid and pandemic flu.
Innovation is key. With EU FAB, we support manufacturing capacity, and through RescEU, we develop fair strategic stockpiles. The European Vaccine Hub accelerates vaccine development.
Our partnerships are transparent and focused on public health. The industry must be a strong partner to keep our societies safe.
Today, we must apply the same speed and creativity in our preparations, not only during emergencies but every day. This requires planning and hard work.
Europe must strengthen its manufacturing capacity to be self-sufficient in critical medical countermeasures. HERA is working with industry to understand risks and make plans.
Our new Preparedness Strategy takes a comprehensive approach to complex threats. Health security is vital for strong societies and the safety of every citizen.
In the coming weeks, the Commission will present an ambitious Strategy on Medical Countermeasures to strengthen Europes strategic autonomy.
- Support innovation and strategic technologies such as biotech;
- Strengthen production capacity and supply chains;
- Improve access through joint procurement and strategic stockpiling.
Preparedness must be global. No one is safe until everyone is safe. Global partnerships are key to tackling health threats. Cooperation with WHO, GAVI, and CEPI is crucial.
Preparedness is our joint responsibility. Together, we work on preparedness that protects people and strengthens European solidarity.