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The International Health Coordination Centre (IHCC)

The International Health Coordination Centre (IHCC) is a unique whole-of-Wales programme of work, bringing together all Health Boards and NHS Trusts. It promotes and facilitates international health partnerships, serving as a focal point for information sharing, knowledge exchange, collaboration and networking across the UK, Europe and the world.

The IHCC aims to maximise potential gains for the people in Wales and beyond, promoting a culture of global citizenship and supporting a health system, which is globally responsible, as well as more equal, resilient, sustainable and prosperous.

The IHCC is part of Public Health Wales and its Policy and International Health WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Wellbeing, sharing and amplifying international learning, benefits and opportunities. It has successfully established a strong network of key stakeholders within and beyond Welsh borders, including Welsh Government, Wales and Africa, NGOs, and UK, European and global partners and networks.

The IHCC has published progress reports highlighting NHS Wales’ achievements in working internationally and implementing the Charter. They also describe the IHCC enabling role and how it has evolved over the years in relation to global, UK, national and local developments.

IHCC progress reports

Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales (the Charter)

The IHCC has facilitated the development of the Charter – a unique whole-of NHS commitments, aiming to ensure that principles and values of the NHS are reflected in all international health activity. It strengthens Wales’ reciprocal work to build evidence-based practice, and develop sustainable partnerships based on equity and in the pursuit of mutual tangible benefits and healthy prosperous lives for all, within and beyond Welsh borders. The Charter is based on Wales’ history of accomplishment and learning in this area and outlines the four foundations of successful international health partnerships: organisational responsibilities; reciprocal partnership working; good practice; and sound governance.

View the Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales.

The IHCC has established an NHS Wales International Health Activity Group to provide a cross-NHS Wales platform for outreach and involvement related to international and global health work; informing, sharing, discussing, supporting and developing synergies and joint work streams. It works to create an active and motivated network of Health Boards and Trusts representatives who champion international health engagement, support ‘globally responsible’ sustainable organisations and drive a culture of ‘global citizenship’. The ultimate aim of the Group is to help achieve better health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities within and beyond Welsh borders.

The Charter implementation toolkit

This toolkit has been developed from lessons learned along the way, compiling examples of best practice and providing a governance framework to support international health activity. Designed as a ‘living document,’ the toolkit will be continually updated to assist signatories in implementing Charter principles.

The toolkit, originally created in 2019, was refreshed in 2024 with new supporting materials such as: 

  • Guidance 
  • Case studies
  • Implementation documents
  • Useful resources

Access the Charter implementation toolkit.

Public Health Wales’ international health forum

The bi-annual International Health Forum is a key activity of Public Health Wales’ International Health Strategy, which is an enabler of Public Health Wales’ Long-Term Strategy. The Forum serves as a platform connecting Welsh health professionals, educators, and communities with international health learning, networks, and partnerships, facilitating capacity building by sharing best practices, resources, and opportunities that can strengthen skills and systems across Wales and internationally. It supports shared learning, showcasing Wales’ contributions to global health, and reinforces Wales’ role as a globally responsible nation committed to improving health and well-being for all.

If you would like to join Public Health Wales’ International Health Network please contact us at [email protected].