A Statement from HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Co-Chairs of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
It is deeply regrettable that the operational details of the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) Annex could not be agreed in time for adoption at the next World Health Assembly later this month. A PABS Annex which delivers on equity is an essential component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Without agreement on the Annex, the Agreement as a whole cannot proceed towards ratification.
If a new pathogen emerged today, the world remains largely unprepared for it. A lack of action to prevent and prepare for the next pandemic threat is a disservice to humanity. Even without the PABS Annex finalised, there is much for governments to do on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPPR).
Governments should take action now to strengthen capacities for implementation of the recently amended International Health Regulations — which are already in force. All countries must be able to detect and rapidly report outbreaks which may pose an international threat. Effective surveillance is a foundation for that work.
Further, all countries should have updated national outbreak and pandemic preparedness plans drawing on lessons learned from COVID-19. A One Health approach is vital and requires multisectoral coordination and testing through simulation exercises.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement text stresses the importance of co-ordination. One country’s health security is only as strong as that of their neighbour. Greater regional self-reliance and resilience can be built now.
Pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response are global public goods. Financing for those remains an outstanding issue: there is still simply not enough allocated for preparedness, and no adequate, capitalised surge mechanism exists for response.
While more domestic resourcing for PPPR is essential, many low- and middle-income countries are impacted by high debt levels, and a sharp decline in development assistance. Additional stresses flow from geopolitical conflict and trade disruption. New international finance is essential and is an investment which would pay off in millions of lives saved and trillions of dollars protected should a pandemic threat materialise.
While political leaders must wrestle with immediate issues, they cannot afford to neglect foreseeable risks.
Leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to protect humanity at the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York in September. There, they must make progress to fill enduring gaps in PPPR including on co-ordination, financing, equity, and accountability. They should also make it clear that the PABS Annex must be finalised to enable the WHO Pandemic Agreement to proceed.
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About The Independent Panel
The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response was established to provide an independent review and recommendations on global pandemic preparedness in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-chaired by former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, the Panel continues to monitor progress and advocate for strengthened global health security.
Media Contact: Secretariat@IndependentPanel.org