WHO concludes Exercise Polaris II pandemic simulation with 26 countries
The World Health Organization wrapped up Exercise Polaris II, a two-day high-level simulation exercise held on 22 and 23 April, based on an outbreak of a fictional new bacterium. The exercise brought together 26 countries and territories, 600 health emergency experts, and over 25 partners to test pandemic preparedness under real-life conditions. Participating countries activated their emergency coordination structures and worked on information sharing, policy alignment, and workforce surge. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the exercise demonstrated that global cooperation is essential. The simulation put into practice two WHO frameworks: the Global Health Emergency Corps framework, published in June 2025, and the National health emergency alert and response framework, published in October 2025. It also explored AI-enabled tools for workforce organization and provided a platform to practice coordinated technical expertise and surge support from over 25 national, regional, and global health agencies. Exercise Polaris II is part of WHO’s HorizonX multi‑year simulation programme and built on the first edition, Polaris I, held in April 2025.
What’s reported
Exercise Polaris II was a 2‑day high‑level simulation exercise held on 22 and 23 April, based on a fictional new bacterium.
It involved 26 countries and territories, 600 health emergency experts, and over 25 partners.
Each participating country activated its emergency coordination structure and worked under real‑life conditions.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “global cooperation is not optional – it is essential.”
The exercise put into practice the Global Health Emergency Corps framework (published June 2025) and the National health emergency alert and response framework (published October 2025), and explored AI‑enabled tools.
Technical expertise and surge support were coordinated from over 25 agencies, including Africa CDC, IFRC, MSF, UNICEF, and emergency networks.
The exercise saw a larger number of countries participate than Polaris I, and new networks such as the Health Emergency Leaders Network for Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean were used.
Exercise Polaris II is part of WHO’s HorizonX simulation exercise programme.
Key figures
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Edenilo Baltazar Barreira Filho, Director of the Public Health Emergencies Department, Ministry of Health, Brazil
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme
Sources: World Health Organization
