The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General in response to the World Health Assembly resolution 73.1.
The Panel began its work in September 2020 and completed its main report, Covid-19: Make it the Last Pandemic, in May 2021, presenting it to the 74th World Health Assembly.
The Independent Panel’s mission was to provide an evidence-based path for the future, grounded in lessons of the present and the past to ensure countries and global institutions, including specifically WHO, effectively address health threats. It did so by providing a fresh assessment of the challenges ahead, based on insights and lessons learned from the health response to COVID-19 as coordinated by WHO as well as previous health emergencies.
Areas of Focus
The Independent Panel reviewed experiences gained and lessons learned from the WHO-coordinated international health response to COVID-19 including:
- the effectiveness of the mechanisms at WHO’s disposal;
- the functioning of the International Health Regulations (2005) and the status of implementation of the relevant recommendations of previous IHR Review Committees;
- WHO’s contribution to United Nations-wide efforts;
- The actions of WHO and their timelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Independent Panel made recommendations on how to improve capacity for global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, including through strengthening, as appropriate, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme.
The Panel’s program of work built on the areas of focus within the WHA resolution and its terms of reference. The Program of Work was organised around four main interconnected themes for enquiry:
- Build on the past: Learn from previous pandemics and the status of the system and actors pre-COVID-19.
- Review the present: Analyse the accurate chronology of events and activities in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recommendations made by WHO, and the responses by national governments.
- Understand the Impacts: Review how health systems and communities responded and assess the direct and indirect impacts of both the pandemic and the response measures.
- Change for the future: An analysis and vision for a strengthened international system ideally equipped for pandemic preparedness and response.
A variety of research methods and stakeholder engagement strategies were employed by the Independent Panel to pursue this work. These included mapping existing reviews, desk research, in-depth interviews, expert consultations, commissioning papers on key topics, case studies, town-hall style “Exchange” meetings, and calls for contributions through the website.
Ways of Working
The Independent Panel conducted an impartial, independent, and comprehensive review. Panelists drew from their expertise and experiences and did not represent their institutions or governments.
The Independent Panel was financed from WHO assessed contributions. The Panel did not accept additional contributions in cash or in kind. Panel members made their contributions on a voluntary and non-remunerated basis.
The Independent Panel valued working in an open and transparent manner. It heard many different stakeholders’ perspectives, including those of WHO Member States, civil society, academia, professional associations, the private sector and the general public. Data and evidence guided the work of the Independent Panel.
The Independent Panel provided briefings and reports to WHO Governing Bodies:
- The Co-chairs briefed the WHO Executive Board at its scheduled session on 5-6 October 2020.
- A first progress report was presented at the resumed 73rd World Health Assembly on 10 November 2020.
- A second progress report was presented to the WHO Executive Board on 19 January 2021.
- The Panel’s main report was presented globally on May 12, 2021.
- The Co-Chairs’ presented the report to the 74th World Health Assembly on 25 May 2021.
The Co-Chairs and Secretariat also briefed Member States at regularly scheduled briefings in Geneva.
Reports and other documents related to all meetings are all available on this website.
Contributions
The Independent Panel was committed to learning from stakeholders. The Panel invited submissions and presented meeting opportunities to consider all aspects of the Program of Work. The aim was to identify evidence-based clear and implementable solutions, for the world to achieve the highest possible level of pandemic preparedness and response.
People contributed to the Panel’s work in many ways, primarily through:
Open invitation to contribute to the Panel’s Program of Work
WHO Member States, civil society organisations, researchers, the private sector, and the general public submitted their contributions, with a focus on the four main themes and the related areas of work. These included: the emergence and spread of COVID-19; the recommendations and responses of international organizations and affected countries; the impact on health, the economy and society; and about how the international system, including WHO and its Member States, could be better prepared for a future potential pandemic. The Panel received more than 100 submissions through the web portal.
Contributions to the Program of Work.
The authoritative chronology
People were invited to contribute to the authoritative, evidence-based chronology of the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease; the recommendations made by the World Health Organization and other international and regional bodies; and of the responses made by countries.
Contributions to the authoritative chronology
Exchange town-hall style meetings
The Independent Panel also met with hundreds of people working on the frontlines of COVID-19, through its series of town-hall style Exchanges. These included with nurses, midwives, people working on sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth, people working on the gendered impact of COVID-19, and people working on the impact of non-communicable diseases to those living with them, and on the pandemic itself.
Reports from Independent Panel Exchanges.
The Secretariat
The Independent Panel was supported by its own independent Secretariat, based on the Geneva Health Campus.
The Secretariat prepared Panel meetings, produced and commissioned analytical reports and research at the request of the Panel, proactively maintained communication with and on behalf of the Co-Chairs and Panel, and provided day-to-day monitoring and follow-up on Panel priorities and recommendations.
The Head of the Secretariat was Anders Nordström, who took leave as Ambassador for Global Health at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs for the duration of the Independent Panel.
Secretariat Members
Anders Nordström
Head of Secretariat
Salma Abdalla
Analyst
Michael Bartos
Lead Editor
Mathias Bonk
Project Management Officer
Celeste Canlas
Project Officer
Marjon Kamara
Senior Advisor, External Relations
Helena Legido-Quigley
Analyst
Rosemary McCarney
Senior Advisor, External Relations
Jane Saville
External Relations Officer
Shun Mabuchi
Analyst
Christine McNab
Communication Lead
The Secretariat received additional support from:
George Kronnisanyon Werner
Advisor and Coordinator
Office of President Sirleaf, Co-Chair
Sudhvir Singh
Advisor to Rt Hon. Clark, Co-Chair