Mexico and the EU kick off High-Level Dialogue on Health to advance common health priorities

Today, Mexico's Secretary of Health, Dr. David Kershenobich, and European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, co-chaired the first meeting of the EU-Mexico High-Level Dialogue on Health. The Dialogue aims to turn shared health priorities into tangible results for patients, stronger health systems and more resilient supply chains. As reliable and trusted partners, the EU and Mexico recognise the strategic importance of innovative health systems, secure and diversified supply chains, and preparedness for cross-border health threats.

The Dialogue was launched by Leaders at the 8th EU-Mexico Summit on 22 May 2026, where the Modernised Global Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement were signed. Today's kick-off meeting, which took place in Mexico City, focussed on non-communicable diseases, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, regulatory cooperation, medicines and medical devices, research and innovation, and digital health, among other topics. The meeting was also attended by Mexico's Federal Commissioner of COFEPRIS, Dr. Víctor Hugo Borja, and representatives from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation.

Non-communicable diseases and mental health

The EU and Mexico are committed to working together to improve the prevention, detection, treatment and care of non-communicable diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and mental health were identified as particular priorities for both sides. They exchanged policy experiences and best practices, and agreed to explore ways to improve access to essential medicines and diagnostics, as well as enhanced training for specialised workforces. Both sides recognised the importance of health data governance and the potential of the European Health Data Space to inform cooperation in this area.

Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response