Fiji, May 22 -- WHO Western Pacific regional director Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala has welcomed closer cooperation with Australia's newly established Centre for Disease Control following talks with its inaugural Director-General on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.

Dr Piukala met with Zoe Wainer, describing the meeting as an important step in strengthening regional health security and public health cooperation across the Pacific and Asia-Pacific region.

"An old friend, a new role - and a key partnership in health," Dr Piukala said.

"Such a pleasure meeting Professor Zoe Wainer - the inaugural Director-General of The Australian Centre for Disease Control - at the World Health Assembly in Geneva."

Australia established...