On this page you will find links to news releases and statements issued by the Co-Chairs and The Independent Panel, from the first announcements in 2020 until today.
List of news stories
World Health Assembly: Reset the INB process to negotiate a successful pandemic agreement in 2024
Co-Chairs and members of former The Independent Panel call also for amended International Health Regulations to be adopted this week; and for immediate investment today to make the world safer…
An Urgent Letter on Governance of the Pandemic Agreement
INB9 – Submission by the Right Honourable Helen Clark
Relevant Stakeholder under “Annex E” and Co-Chair of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and ResponseOn the draft Negotiating Text presented for INB9 (March 18 – 28 2024) As WHO…
A Joint Letter to all WHO Member States: Now is the time to agree on a pandemic accord which safeguards everyone from pandemic threats
Access to countermeasures, finance, and independent monitoring are essential for success Signed by Former Co-Chairs and Members of The Independent Panel, the Chair and Members of The Elders, principals of…
The Rt. Hon. Helen Clark’s remarks to the UNGA High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Helen Clark spoke in the opening segment as an eminent high-level champion 20 September 2023 Excellencies, Let me congratulate the General Assembly on coming together in this High-Level Meeting on Pandemic…
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Helen Clark open letter to leaders and decision-makers responsible for the Political Declaration to be agreed for the 20 September UNGA High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Express grave concern the opportunity is being wasted 9 July 2023 We write, with bluntness and urgency, as we are gravely concerned that the opportunity presented by the High-Level Meeting…
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Helen Clark Call on G7 Leaders to Make Specific Commitments to Make COVID-19 the Last Pandemic
Leaders’ actions between health emergencies have direct impact on response to next pandemic threat 18 May 2023 As G7 leaders meet in the coming days, we call on leaders at the…
Dr. Joanne Liu addresses the Multi-stakeholder Hearings for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on behalf of the former Co-Chairs
9 May 2023 Good morning. My name is Dr. Joanne Liu. In September 2014, here at the UN I appealed for a global response to the Ebola outbreak in…
No more neglect: It’s time for leaders to protect the world from pandemic threats
A Statement from H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Rt Hon. Helen Clark on the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern The COVID-19 global emergency has…
The UNGA has the Opportunity to make Bold Political Choices to Protect the World Against Pandemic Threats
Must consider six essential areas: political leadership, international rules, sustained financing, equitable countermeasures, an authoritative WHO, independent monitoring As global efforts to ensure pandemic readiness and response enter a critical…
RH Helen Clark statement to the 4th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body
HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: statement at the US-Africa Leaders Summit
The Rt. Hon. Helen Clark’s closing statement at “Investing in Health For All”
Helen Clark, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf welcome UNGA resolution calling for a high-level meeting for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response say UNGA political declaration is required to help bring necessary cohesion to system transformation 2 September 2022 We welcome the…
Comment on the World Bank’s White Paper on a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response
Submitted to the World Bank FIF White Paper consultation process by the Co-Chairs and former members of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response and its Secretariat 1 June…
Ending COVID-19 and Preparing for the Next Pandemic Threat Could Take Years at the Current Pace of Change
Former Independent Panel Co-Chairs Call on Political Leaders to Urgently Bring Fragmented Reform Efforts Together GENEVA, NEW YORK –18 May 2022 One year after the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response…
Landmark series of COVID-19 peer-reviewed articles provides unparalleled overview of global and national successes and challenges
Nine-paper series commissioned by the Independent Panel and published as a British Medical Journal collection provides a roadmap to end this pandemic and thwart future health threats 29 November 2022…
Remarks of the former Co-Chairs of The Independent Panel at the release of Losing Time: End this Pandemic and Secure the Future
Progress six months after the report of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. This report was released at an open Chatham House event on 22 November 2021. HE…
Pandemic reform agenda is moving, but not fast or cohesive enough
Independent Panel former Co-Chairs, Helen Clark and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, provide blunt assessment of ‘uneven’ progress as pandemic continues to cause illness, deaths, economic losses 22 November 2021, LONDON –…
Analysis of COVID-19 Chronology Points to Need for Urgent IHR reforms and a New Treaty to Reduce Pandemic Risk
Geneva/Washington 8 November 2021 As work is underway to reform global governance of pandemic preparedness and response, a new paper published in the Lancet offers comprehensive and specific ideas for legal reform. This…
G20 Summit COVID-19 outcome deeply disappointing
Statement by Former Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Right Honourable Helen Clark We are alarmed that rather than…
Address delivered by HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the G20 Joint Health and Finance Ministers’ Meeting
October 29, 2021 Your Excellencies, thank you for inviting me to speak today at this important meeting of Ministers of Health and Finance. For almost two years the world has…
The former Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response welcome GPMB call for immediate catalytic action
Today the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB), in its annual report, calls for specific and immediate global actions to prevent and mitigate health emergencies. The former Co-Chairs of the Independent…
Remarks delivered by HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to White House COVID-19 Summit
Madam Vice President, distinguished participants, as a Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, I thank you and President Biden for your decision to host this summit,…