New report outlines priorities for critical 2026 UN pandemic meeting
September 19 2025 – Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Right Honourable Helen Clark, co-chairs of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, today released a new report outlining six priority areas for world leaders to focus on ahead of the 2026 UN High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Titled, The Power to Lead for a Safer World, the report warns that despite some progress on pandemic readiness reforms, the world remains dangerously underprepared for the next pandemic threat.
“In an era of growing, interwoven crises, from climate change and military conflict to economic tensions, a single microbe still has the ability to ignite global chaos in a matter of days,” the co-chairs write in their foreword.
Turn words into action: the International Health Regulations and Pandemic Agreement
They release this report as leaders prepare to meet next week at the United Nations, and on the day that the updated International Health Regulations come into force.
The report underscores that the amended International Health Regulations, and the World Health Assembly’s adoption of the Pandemic Agreement represent important progress in making the world safer.
The report notes however that while nations have agreed on principles and made important commitments, the work is not yet done.
“These words will matter most when they become measurable, financed commitments that can be witnessed and embraced in every country, region, and global centre.”
A decisive opportunity for bold, measurable commitments
The report stresses the decisive opportunity of the 2026 UNGA High-level Meeting on Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response to promote ratification of the Pandemic Agreement and agree measurable commitments.
The co-chairs outline six concrete areas world leaders should prioritise as they prepare for the High-level Meeting and suggest targeted actions they can take to make their citizens, and the world, safer from pandemic threats.
- Recognize pandemic preparedness as a global public good, shifting from charity-based to collective financing, investing in mutual security against transboundary threats
- Champion and accelerate implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amended International Health Regulations
- Close critical funding gaps through increased domestic investment and new international financing that extends well beyond development assistance
- Endorse a pathway to regional research and manufacturing hubs to accelerate equitable access to medical countermeasures
- Establish a comprehensive monitoring mechanism to provide clear assessments of global preparedness and pandemic risks
- Establish a cross-regional PPPR Leaders Group to provide sustained political commitment
Multisectoral engagement: urgent and essential
There are now 12 months before the High-level Meeting, and the report provides a timeline of key moments and opportunities for Member States and stakeholders.
There are clear roles for Member States, the World Health Organization and other agencies with a role in pandemic preparedness and response, development banks, civil society, academia and the private sector.
The report urges all stakeholders to begin preparatory work now, in order to provide the underpinnings that can lead to a bold political declaration
Leaders urged to use their power for good
Throughout the report, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Helen Clark urge political leaders to overcome differences and unite around the collective responsibility and benefits of acting together.
“The decisions leaders make today will shape the world we want to have,” the co-chairs write
“Complacency will cost lives and devastate economies. We challenge leaders to demonstrate their power and seize this opportunity for the good of their own people and the world.”
Read the report
About The Independent Panel
The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response was established to provide independent oversight and recommendations on global pandemic preparedness. Co-chaired by former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, the panel continues to monitor progress and advocate for strengthened global health security.
Media Contact: Secretariat@IndependentPanel.org