The Pandemic Accord

Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) offers a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate progress on access to essential child health services through the development of a robust and resilient global health architecture. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fragilities in the global health architecture that contributed to countries being both ill-equipped to effectively respond to a global health emergency, which in turn led to devastating consequences for children’s access to essential health services. 

Renewed political interest in PPR could be a landmark moment in global health, one in which we deliver equity, strengthen health systems and bring into being a safer and more resilient world. Now World Health Organization Member States are negotiating an international agreement on pandemic preparedness, prevention and response, referred to as the ‘Pandemic Accord’. This is an opportunity to set a clear framework for international cooperation on the issue. COVID-19 has shown us that clear arrangements are needed for all stages from identification and surveillance through to the response to a pandemic, but also renewed prevention efforts are urgently needed.