This report summarizes the purpose, content and outcomes of the first meeting of Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partners in Australia in November 2023.

The inaugural hybrid virtual and in-person meeting of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network partners in the WHO Western Pacific Region convened on 20–21 November 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. Hosted by the National Centre for Global Health and Medicine and Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the meeting aimed to enhance regional preparedness and response capabilities for emerging health threats, aligning with the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity for sustained engagement, expanded training programs, and strengthened research initiatives to fortify health security across the Western Pacific Region.

Australia’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security joined the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) to contribute to global operations to enhance health security, preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. This perspective provides as an example for current and potential GOARN partners.