event
Global Health Centre
Tuesday
20
May
GHC_WHA_Week_2025_square_img

Pandemic Readiness in an Uncertain World

International Geneva Global Health Platform
, -

Hybrid: Auditorium Ivan Pictet, Geneva Graduate Institute, Maison de la paix and online.

A light lunch will be offered from 12:00 to 12:30 CEST

Geneva Health Week 2025 - WHA 78 side event

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Description

Based on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (The Independent Panel) recommended a package of evidence-based reforms as a blueprint for transforming global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response systems. Since delivering their main report, the Independent Panel Co-Chairs – Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Right Honourable Helen Clark – along with several members have continued to advocate for implementation of the package.

While some progress has been made since 2021, it has been uneven and insufficient, and today dangerous gaps remain in national, regional and global systems to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emerging infectious disease threats. Political leadership has waned to dangerously low levels. This year has been tumultuous, and the level of uncertainty presents wide-ranging consequences for achieving a world safe from the threat of another pandemic.

Yet despite the challenging geopolitical landscape, the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States have reached consensus on a proposal for a pandemic agreement, which will now be put to the 78th World Health Assembly for adoption. This is a critical moment, but leadership and continued action are needed to protect the world from pandemic threats.

Informed by four new policy briefs developed by The Independent Panel, this event will engage leaders and experts in an open conversation about the prospect of delivering pandemic preparedness and response reforms over the next 12-18 months, delving into global and regional challenges, barriers to progress, and potential levers for change.

This event will include a light lunch at noon (12:00-12:30 CEST), followed by two panel discussions and a Q&A with the audience.

 

Speakers

Welcome remarks from the Global Health Centre and The Independent Panel: 

  • Ellen Rosskam | Coordinator, International Geneva Global Health Platform, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute
  • The Right Hon. Helen Clark | Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Co-Chair of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Panel discussions:

  • The Right Hon. Helen Clark | Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Co-Chair of The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
  • Michel Kazatchkine | Senior Fellow, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute; Senior Advisor to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe; & Member, The Independent Panel
  • Diah Saminarsih | Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI)
  • Raj Panjabi | Flagship Pioneering, and former White House Senior Director and Special Assistant to the President
  • Eloise Todd | Co-Founder and Executive Director, Pandemic Action Network

Moderated by:

  • Anders Nordström | Former Ambassador for Global Health at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
  • Richard Horton | Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet

 

Organised by

The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, and the Global Health Centre's International Geneva Global Health Platform, Geneva Graduate Institute.

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