World leaders have called for sustained, more equitable investment in pandemic prevention and preparedness, warning that progress made since COVID-19 will need continued action to protect countries from future outbreaks.
The call was made on Friday at the second United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) in New York.
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The meeting reviewed progress since the first high-level meeting in 2023, which was convened in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and gaps exposed in global health security.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), in a statement issued on Friday, said countries recognised progress made over the past three years, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).
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WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus in his remarks emphasised that countries must continue investing in stronger health systems, local and national capacities and equitable access to vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health tools.
“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated the fault lines of global health security, and taught the world many painful lessons,” Mr Ghebreyesus said.
He said the political commitments made at the meeting included calls for “concrete, measurable and urgent action” to strengthen health systems and expand equitable access to health products and resources.
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Pandemic agreement
Countries also called for the completion of negotiations on an annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement that would establish a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.
The proposed system, according to the WHO, is intended to facilitate the timely sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and ensure that benefits arising from their use, including vaccines, medicines and diagnostics, are shared equitably.
WHO said adoption of the annex at the World Health Assembly in May 2027 is necessary for member states to begin national consideration of ratifying the Pandemic Agreement.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, speaking on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, urged countries to accelerate the negotiations.
“The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System, under negotiation, is critical to unlocking the full potential of the WHO Pandemic Agreement,” Ms Mohammed said.
Lessons from COVID-19
Mr Ghebreyesus said the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to more than 20 million excess deaths between 2020 and 2023 and wiped more than $10 trillion from the global economy.
The meeting also stressed that pandemic preparedness should not be treated solely as a health-sector responsibility.
According to the WHO, countries called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving communities and other sectors.
The political declaration also highlighted the One Health approach, which recognises the links between human, animal and environmental health.
Sustained action
The President of the 81st UN General Assembly, Khalilur Rahman, said international cooperation would be necessary to prepare for future pandemics, including through equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and other essential medical supplies.
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“We have the knowledge, we have the tools, we have the science and expertise, and we have the hard lessons of COVID-19,” Mr Rahman said at the meeting.
“Let us use them for ourselves, our families and our loved ones. And also in memory of those we lost and in recognition of all those who suffered, needlessly.”
The meeting’s participants stressed that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response should remain a political priority between health emergencies, rather than becoming a focus only when outbreaks occur.
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