ISGlobal and PAHO Strengthen Cooperation in Research and Health Policies in Latin America

Translating knowledge and research findings into public policies is more necessary than ever, particularly in the most vulnerable contexts. With this shared understanding and a clear willingness to continue working together in this regard, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and ISGlobal met again, this time in Barcelona, on 8 January.

The institutional meeting made it possible to identify opportunities for strategic collaboration in global health in Latin America and was attended by Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO; Regina Campa Solé, Advisor in Partnerships at PAHO; Quique Bassat, ISGlobal’s General and Scientific Director; and Judith Garcia-Aymerich, Deputy Director of the institution.

Accelerating the translation of scientific knowledge

ISGlobal expressed its intention to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a stable framework for cooperation in areas such as research, training and technical support in global health, building on its role as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on malaria, as well as decades of research in infectious diseases, environmental health and the health impacts of climate change.

“ISGlobal is pleased to continue expanding its collaboration with PAHO, with the overall objective of providing technical expertise in topics of common interest and the ultimate mission of contributing to improved health in Latin American countries and reducing the burden of disease in the region,” stated Quique Bassat.

On the PAHO side, Jarbas Barbosa and Regina Campa Solé expressed interest in several research areas led by ISGlobal, including malaria, Chagas disease and the health impacts of climate change.

Continuity of institutional dialogue with Latin America

This visit forms part of a broader process to strengthen ISGlobal’s institutional relationships with key health actors in Latin America. In December 2025, Quique Bassat travelled to Panama, Mexico and the United States, where he visited PAHO headquarters to explore potential collaborations in global health research and training.

In Panama, ISGlobal’s Director met with representatives of PAHO and the Panamanian Ministry of Health, and later visited the Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES). A few days later, Quique Bassat and ISGlobal’s Director of Education and Training, Núria Casamitjana, travelled to Mexico, where they were received by representatives of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). This meeting made it possible to identify areas of cooperation and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between ISGlobal and the INSP.

These initiatives reflect ISGlobal’s commitment to impact-oriented research, international cooperation and support for evidence-based public health policies to improve global health.