Six Years Post COVID-19 Is World Ready for Next Pandemic

Six years ago, the Director-General of the World Health Organization raised the highest global alert permissible under international law at that time, announcing the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease, which later became known as COVID-19, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Although the PHEIC was officially declared over in May 2023, the effects of COVID-19 are still imprinted in our collective memory and are felt around the world.

As we reach this six-year milestone, the WHO is asking nations and partners, just as we reflect within ourselves: Is the world more equipped to handle the next pandemic?

The answer is yes and no.

Yes, in many ways, the world is better prepared because meaningful, concrete steps have been taken to strengthen preparedness.

However, at the same time, no, because the progress made is fragile and uneven, and more still needs to be done to keep humanity safe.

"The pandemic taught all of us many lessons – especially that global threats demand a global response," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated at the opening of the 158th session of the Executive Board today. "Solidarity is the best immunity."

Applying lessons learned from COVID-19, the WHO, Member States, and partners have made significant progress in pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response, including:

Other work, which predates the pandemic, continues to enhance pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response:

These are remarkable achievements that reflect a shared global commitment to collaborate across national borders and sectors, ensuring that we are never caught unprepared by a pandemic again and that no one is left behind.

WHO Member States have made decisions that have enhanced the world's capacity not only to respond more swiftly and reduce the impact of future pandemics but also to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Recent Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses clearly demonstrate this progress at the national level, with support from WHO. Ebola, a disease that once had no vaccines, no rapid diagnostics, and limited treatment options—resulting in catastrophic loss of life in West Africa a decade ago—has since undergone significant transformation. The latest outbreaks of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Marburg in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia were contained in a fraction of the time, with limited spread and lower case fatality rates. These responses were spearheaded by national institutions, with support from WHO.

The past years have brought significant turmoil to global health. Funding continues to move away from health and towards defense and national security, jeopardizing the very systems that were strengthened during COVID-19 to safeguard nations from future pandemics.

This is shortsighted. Pandemics pose national security threats.

Investing in preparedness is an investment in resilience, security, and peace of mind. It ensures that individuals and communities are equipped to handle emergencies, respond effectively to unforeseen challenges, and recover more quickly from disruptions. Preparedness not only helps mitigate risks but also fosters a sense of empowerment and confidence in facing future uncertainties. Ultimately, it lays the foundation for a safer, more sustainable future.

WHO urges all governments, partners, and stakeholders to maintain their commitment to pandemic preparedness and prevention.

This week’s WHO Executive Board meeting will be a pivotal moment in this journey, as governments set the course for designing the future of collaboration, accountability, and efficiency in who does what in global health.

Pathogens don’t respect borders. No country can prevent or manage a pandemic alone.

Global health security necessitates cooperation among various sectors, governments, and regions.

WHO remains committed to working with all countries to strengthen preparedness, accelerate innovation, and uphold solidarity. We will continue supporting Member States as they finalize their historic effort to forge a global compact for a world that is safer from pandemics.

Preparedness requires continuous vigilance. The time to prepare is now – before the next pandemic strikes.