Description
At a time when multilateralism is buckling, and pandemic threats remain ever present, this event brings together senior policymakers and global health leaders to consider the critical question: Are we ready for the next pandemic threat?
The world faces a confluence of crises – economic instability, conflicts, climate emergencies, and evolving health security threats. At the same time, geopolitical shifts are reshaping international cooperation, while changing political dynamics and declining funding from long-standing donors have caused profound disruption to the global health and development architecture. This raises uncertainty about whether countries will continue to come together to tackle common threats.
Nonetheless, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The amended International Health Regulations, forged from the lessons of COVID-19, are now in force. Momentum for regional self-reliance is growing. The adoption of the Pandemic Agreement in May 2025 – alongside ongoing negotiation on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex – showed that collective action still commands broad support. But optimism must be earned. Commitments have too often failed to translate into action. Gaps in financing, accountability, and regional manufacturing capacity persist, making us all less safe.
Join the RH Helen Clark and other senior leaders as they explore the state of the world’s readiness to face the next pandemic threat.
SPEAKERS
Opening remarks | Vinh-Kim Nguyen, Co-Director, Global Health Centre and Professor, Anthropology and Sociology, Geneva Graduate Institute
Keynote Address | The Right Hon. Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Co-Chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
- Dr. Mariângela Simão, Secretary of Health and Environmental Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brazil
- Hanan Al Kuwari, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Public Health Affairs State of Qatar
- Maria Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i.), Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization
- Els Torreele, Senior Expert in Health Equity, Advisor to The Independent Panel
- Maria Guevara, International Medical Secretary, Médecins Sans Frontières
Moderators
- Ebere Okereke, Advisor to the Director General, Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity
- Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
CO-HOSTED by
The Global Health Centre's International Geneva Global Health Platform and the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
