ELEVENTH TO FOURTEENTH INTERNATIONAL SANITARY CONFERENCES (1903-1938): INSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS FOR TRANSNATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Abstract The Eleventh to Fourteenth International Sanitary Conferences (1903–1938) established foundational frameworks for transnational epidemic governance, transitioning from fragmented quarantine systems to multilateral cooperation. Key achievements—the 1903 and 1926 Conventions and the Office International d’Hygiène Publique—standardised disease reporting and quarantine protocols, integrating bacteriological advances while reflecting colonial priorities that prioritised European trade over health equity. These efforts institutionalised data sharing and preventive diplomacy but perpetuated inequities, as colonial records reveal skewed resource allocation and exclusion of non-Western states. Postwar institutions like the WHO inherited these dual legacies, formalising norms (e.g., transparency, technical collaboration) in the International Health Regulations (2005). The conferences underscore the enduring tension between sovereignty and solidarity in global health. Their history highlights how colonial power dynamics and scientific progress shaped modern epidemiological governance, emphasising the need for inclusive frameworks to address persistent disparities in pandemic response.