The World Health Report 2007 is dedicated to promoting global public health security- the reduced vulnerability of populations to acute threats to health. This year's World Health Day, celebrated in Apri, launched WHO's discussion on global public health security. Around the world academics, students, health professionals, politicians and the business community are engaged in dialogue on how to protect the world from threats like pandemic influenza, the health consequences of conflict and natural disasters. and bioterrorism The World Health Report 2007 addresses these issues, among others in the context of new tools for collective defence including, most notably the revised International Health Regulations(2005). These Regulations are an international legal instrument designed to achieve maximum security against the international spread of diseases. They also aim to reduce the international impact of public health emergencies The IHR (2005)expand the focus of collective defence from just a few"quarantinable"diseases to include any emergency with interna- tional repercussions for health, including outbreaks of emerging and epidemic-prone diseases, outbreaks of foodborne disease, natural disasters, and chemical or radionuclear events whether accidental or In a significant departure from the past, IHR (2005) move away from a focus on passive barriers at borders, airports and seaports to a strategy of proactive risk management. This strategy aims to detect an event early and stop it at its source -before it has a chance to become an international threat Given today's universal vulnerability to these threats, better security calls for global solidarity Intermational public health security is both a collective aspiration and a mutual responsibility As the determinants and consequences of health emergencies have become broader, so has the range of players with a stake in the security agenda. The new watchwords are diplomacy, cooperation, transparency and prepared ness. Successful implementation of IHR(2005)serves the interests of politicians and business leaders as well as the health, trade and tourism sectors I am pleased to present the World Health Report 2007 to our partners and look forward to the discussions directions and actions that it will 久Ra Dr Margaret Chan Director-General World Health OrganizationThe World Health Report 2007 is dedicated to promoting global public health security – the reduced vulnerability of populations to acute threats to health. This year’s World Health Day, celebrated in April, launched WHO’s discussion on global public health security. Around the world, academics, students, health professionals, politicians and the business community are engaged in dialogue on how to protect the world from threats like pandemic influenza, the health consequences of conflict and natural disasters, and bioterrorism. The World Health Report 2007 addresses these issues, among others, in the context of new tools for collective defence, including, most notably, the revised International Health Regulations (2005). These Regulations are an international legal instrument designed to achieve maximum security against the international spread of diseases. They also aim to reduce the international impact of public health emergencies. The IHR (2005) expand the focus of collective defence from just a few “quarantinable” diseases to include any emergency with interna￾tional repercussions for health, including outbreaks of emerging and epidemic-prone diseases, outbreaks of foodborne disease, natural disasters, and chemical or radionuclear events, whether accidental or caused deliberately. In a significant departure from the past, IHR (2005) move away from a focus on passive barriers at borders, airports and seaports to a strategy of proactive risk management. This strategy aims to detect an event early and stop it at its source – before it has a chance to become an international threat. Given today’s universal vulnerability to these threats, better security calls for global solidarity. International public health security is both a collective aspiration and a mutual responsibility. As the determinants and consequences of health emergencies have become broader, so has the range of players with a stake in the security agenda. The new watchwords are diplomacy, cooperation, transparency and prepared￾ness. Successful implementation of IHR (2005) serves the interests of politicians and business leaders as well as the health, trade and tourism sectors. I am pleased to present the World Health Report 2007 to our partners and look forward to the discussions, directions and actions that it will inspire. Dr Margaret Chan Director-General World Health Organization vii