POLICY BRIEF: The global architecture for pandemic preparedness and response

The Panel’s diagnosis The Panel found that there were critical failings at each step of the COVID-19 response from preparedness to detection and alert and to the early and sustained response. [...] The Panel’s recommendations seek to overcome the twin challenges of ensuring that pandemic threat is elevated to the highest leadership level and that pandemic preparedness and response are treated as a whole-of-government and whole-of-society responsibility with the appropriate co-ordination mechanisms across government and economic and social sectors. [...] The Facility will need to be able to mobilize 10-15-year contributions of approximately $5-10B per annum to fill gaps in Policy brief: The global architecture for pandemic preparedness and response 3 preparedness; and in the event of a pandemic threat have the ability to disburse up to $50-100B for early response at short-notice. [...] Strengthening the authority and independence of WHO To ensure greater speed and transparency in the face of pandemic threats, the Panel recommends a more focused, securely funded, and independent WHO, which has enhanced authority and ability to investigate outbreaks and report rapidly. [...] The Panel’s recommendations are therefore Policy brief: The global architecture for pandemic preparedness and response 4 directed to concrete measures designed to ensure that the international system is more co-ordinated with better links between the sub-national, national, regional, and global levels in pandemic preparedness and response.