Wales Resilience Forum meeting: 14 May 2025

The Prif Weinidog, Eluned Morgan MS chaired this first meeting of the newly reformed Wales Resilience Forum, bringing together leaders from across sectors to discuss how Wales can build a safer, more resilient future. The Prif Weinidog opened the meeting by celebrating the publication of the Wales Resilience Framework. The PW recognised the contribution from the resilience community in the development of the landmark document, which provides a clear, shared vision for enhanced emergency preparedness and response in Wales.

The Forum was provided with an overview of the Framework and its importance in setting the vision and strategic direction for resilience in Wales.

The accompanying Delivery Plan outlined specific actions to be taken in the short, medium, and long term. It also reinforced the Welsh Government’s commitment to embedding resilience into all areas of public service.

The Forum welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the development of the first resilience strategy for Wales and acknowledged the ongoing partnership approach required to improve and develop on the areas identified in the delivery plan. 

The next agenda item considered the new 3-tier governance model, which had been introduced to support the delivery of the Framework and its Delivery Plan. The new three-tier governance model comprises of:

• Strategic level: The Wales Resilience Forum (WRF), providing national leadership.
• Coordinating level: The Wales Resilience Partnership (WRP), aligning efforts across sectors.
• Operational level: Sub-groups focused on delivering practical actions.

This new structure simplified processes, strengthens accountability, and ensures every partner has a clear role and voice.

A revised terms of reference for the Forum was considered by members, which provided a clear purpose for the Forum as well as confirming its new membership. Members agreed to meet 3 times a year, including an annual summit chaired by the First Minister. To promote transparency, a summary of each meeting would be published on the Welsh Government website.

Decision:  Terms of reference were agreed.

An overview of the new risk evidence base was provided and the proposals to ensure that this would be reviewed and updated going forward. The meeting highlighted the important role these documents played in ensuring a shared understanding by all partners of risks Wales faces and in helping to priorities preparedness planning and capabilities.

An overview of the proposed Welsh Government capabilities programme, which is an important part of the Wales Resilience Framework, was provided, this included proposals to enhance crisis management response and recovery capabilities. The programme will include but is not limited to:

• a review at the pan-Wales level of the need for a lessons management system to share good practice across organisations
• a pan-Wales training and exercising calendar to ensure consistent preparedness
• ongoing collaboration with the UK Resilience Academy to professionalise resilience work

Members of the WRF stated that the capabilities programme was especially timely as Wales prepares for major events like the UEFA European Football Championship in 2028, which would require robust infrastructure and emergency planning.

The Forum heard about Exercise Pegasus, a UK-wide pandemic preparedness exercise co-developed by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Department of Health and Social Care and other Government departments.

The Prif Weinidog emphasised that being prepared is essential to ensuring Wales can respond effectively to future health emergencies.

The Prif Weinidog ended the meeting by thanking members for their attendance, noting their valuable contributions, and reaffirmed the Welsh Government’s commitment to continued engagement with stakeholders on resilience matters.