News Investigators/ World leaders at the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly in the U.S. have renewed commitment to strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response through sustained investment and global cooperation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) which made this known on Friday in a statement said the commitment was made at the second UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held three years after the inaugural meeting convened amid COVID-19.
“Leaders stressed that pandemic preparedness is not solely a health-sector responsibility, requiring coordinated action by governments, communities and relevant sectors to strengthen national and global health security.
“They acknowledged progress since 2023, including adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, amendments to the International Health Regulations and expanded infrastructure for surveillance, pathogen sharing and local production,” it said.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus said continued investment was essential to sustain progress, noting that COVID-19 caused more than 20 million excess deaths between 2020 and 2023.
Mr Ghebreyesus said the pandemic also wiped more than 10 trillion dollars from the global economy, exposing weaknesses in global health security and demonstrating the consequences of inadequate preparedness.
He called for concrete and urgent action to strengthen local and national capacities, invest in resilient health systems and expand equitable access to pandemic-related products, tools and resources.
“The meeting also emphasised the need to conclude negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system, a key component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement currently being negotiated by member states.
“The proposed system would facilitate timely sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and ensure that benefits from their use, including vaccines, medicines and diagnostics, are shared equitably,” it said.
Also, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed urged member states to accelerate negotiations on the PABS annex, describing it as critical to unlocking the full potential of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
She said adoption of the annex at the World Health Assembly in May 2027 would allow member states to begin national consideration of ratification of the Pandemic Agreement.
According to her, the declaration adopted at the meeting emphasises that national health security depends on global solidarity and international cooperation to protect communities from cross-border health threats.
She also highlighted a One Health approach to pandemic prevention, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, and the need for coordinated action across these areas.
Dr Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st UN General Assembly, said international cooperation remained essential to ensuring equitable and timely access to vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics and other essential medical supplies.
Rahman called for stronger health systems and efforts to close persistent financing gaps, emphasising the importance of empowering communities to respond effectively to future pandemic threats.
The participants further noted that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response must remain a sustained political priority, requiring long-term investment and cooperation even during periods without major health emergencies.
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