Side event at the 76th World Health Assembly
As WHO and governments around the world declare an end to the COVID-19 emergency, we must not allow a repeat of the historic cycle of panic and neglect around pandemic threats. While WHO Member States have recently launched negotiations on a global Pandemic Accord (INB), a process for amendments to strengthen the International Health Regulations (IHR), and a Pandemic Fund, a crucial question remains: How to ensure that pandemic preparedness secures sustained prioritization and investment from the highest level of political leadership?
The United Nations High-level Meeting (HLM) on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (Pandemic PPR) this September is a historic opportunity for world leaders to come together and commit to the actions and accountability necessary to prevent the next pandemic while reinforcing the important processes taking place in Geneva.
Pandemic Action Network, Spark Street Advisors, and former members of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response co-hosted a roundtable on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly to discuss ambitions for the Pandemic PPR HLM.
As Member States discuss global progress on Pandemic PPR during the WHA, this event was an opportunity to discuss how the Pandemic PPR HLM can galvanize high-level commitment around a global agenda and give momentum to the INB and IHR processes. In the lead-up to the publication of a zero draft of a High-Level Political Declaration in early June, please join us to hear from a wide range of stakeholders and share your views on how the HLM on Pandemic PPR can produce an ambitious, targeted, and action-oriented political declaration to make humanity safer from pandemic threats.
Speakers included:
– Michel Kazatchkine, former Member, Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
– Precious Matsoso, Co-Chair, Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) on a Pandemic Accord
– Joy Phumaphi, Co-Chair, Global Preparedness Monitoring Board
-Honourable Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
– Carolyn Reynolds, Co-founder, Pandemic Action Network (Moderator)
Discussion questions:
– How can a leader-level council for Pandemic PPR best add value to existing platforms to elevate and sustain political leadership and ensure more inclusive decision-making?
– How can the Pandemic PPR HLM provide momentum toward the successful conclusion of the INB process in May 2024?
– How can the Pandemic PPR HLM help secure Member State commitments for additional, reliable financing for pandemic preparedness and response as a global public good?
– How can the Pandemic PPR HLM drive global and national monitoring and accountability?
