The HPA works to keep abreast of new developments and contribute to the wider health promotion context through its links outside Northern Ireland.
In 2000, it was designated a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Training and Research in Communications and Information Technology in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. This confirmed its position as a regional centre of excellence in health promotion.

The Agency is an active member of the WHO CINDI (Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Diseases Intervention) network. The HPA Chief Executive is a Director of this programme and an annual publication, recording highlights from all the CINDI network programmes, is published by the HPA.

The Agency is also a member of the European Network of Health Promotion Agencies (ENHPA).

The HPA has worked to strengthen its cross-border links with the Republic of Ireland and increasingly collaborates on all-island health promotion work.