As part of WHO/Europe’s continuous efforts to strengthen public health event reporting, notification, verification, consultation and information sharing between International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) State Parties within the WHO European Region, the Joint Assessment and Detection of Events (JADE) exercise will take place from 25–27 November 2025.
The JADE exercise is a regional functional simulation exercise designed to mimic real-world public health events that require cross-border communication and coordination. It aims to test and enhance communication between National IHR Focal Points and WHO IHR Regional Contact Points, as outlined in Articles 5–11 of the IHR (2005).
The objectives of JADE 2025 are to:
- validate the 2-way communications between the National IHR Focal Points and WHO IHR Regional Contact Points (e.g. verification request, communication on initial assessment) using registered contact details;
- practice and test National IHR Focal Point assessment of a suspected or confirmed chemical event with potential international health implications, using the decision instrument in Annex 2 of the IHR (2005) and its notification process, including inputs for an IHR Event Information Site (EIS) posting and, where applicable, reporting through the European Union through the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS);
- test National IHR Focal Point access and use of the EIS (logging in and performing searches and posting on the EIS platform) (Article 11 IHR (2005));
- review other modalities for bilateral communication and assistance between National IHR Focal Points under the IHR (2005) with specific reference to chemical incidents requiring technical support, expertise or laboratory analysis and document challenges;
- review mechanisms for engaging other relevant national stakeholders (e.g. chemical safety authorities, environmental and civil protection agencies, poison information centres, food and water safety regulators) in coordinated event assessment and response; and
- review national processes for requesting and coordinating international assistance during a chemical emergency to identify challenges in mobilizing external expertise and support.
All IHR State Parties in the WHO European Region are invited to participate. JADE 2025 will provide a platform to test and strengthen communication systems between IHR State Parties and WHO through a simulated scenario, in preparation for real-time public health emergencies. The exercise will include live scenarios, interactive sessions and structured feedback mechanisms to foster active engagement, learning and improved cross-border communication and coordination. It also offers a unique training opportunity for National IHR Focal Points.
This year’s exercise scenario will centre around a chemical event with potential international health implications. Participants will be expected to act and communicate within the simulated timeline as they would during an actual emergency, involving relevant national partners and sectors. Participants can expect between 30 and 45 minutes to address each exercise inject; however, timing may vary depending on the complexity of the situation or the expected response.
The WHO Health Security Division is leading the JADE 2025 exercise in close collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Commission/Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) of the Netherlands (Kingdom of), which is the WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Preparedness and IHR monitoring and evaluation.