In its Manifesto for Preparedness, the GPMB laid out a stark fact: if the world faced a new outbreak of a disease with pandemic potential today, it would still lack the essential capacities to respond equitably and effectively. The High-Level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response is an opportunity for nations to make firm commitments to correct this course. Through an ambitious Political Declaration, and by taking action, countries and their leaders can make the world safer from the risk and impact of pandemics.
In June, the GPMB published a list of Key Asks for the High-Level Meeting. We urged Member States to include strong language on monitoring and accountability, to deliver equity in access and outcomes, and to encourage coherence among the many initiatives designed to strengthen preparedness.
Many elements called for by the GPMB are retained in the revised draft of the Political Declaration. However, the GPMB is concerned that the current draft is not powered to address the catastrophic threat of pandemics. This draft weakens previous language on monitoring and accountability and equity, rather than providing strong and concrete commitments that will drive robust action.
On monitoring and accountability
| Acknowledge the need for Governments at all levels, to strengthen systems for independent, evidence-based and multisectoral monitoring and accountability, as appropriate, in order to stimulate effective implementation and foster results to help underpin future required action for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; [Operative Paragraph 34, Revision 1 draft] |
The GPMB is pleased to see that independent, evidence-based and multisectoral monitoring and accountability has been retained in this draft. Independent monitoring provides critical information to diagnose gaps and weaknesses, identify best practices, and ensure mutual accountability. The recently published GPMB Monitoring Framework offers an overview of the most important capacities and capabilities for prevention, preparedness and resilience across all sectors.
However, rather than simply acknowledging the need for it, the GPMB calls on Member States to commit to strengthening monitoring.
Furthermore, the GPMB is concerned that the revised draft appears to make monitoring an optional responsibility of Governments. Global preparedness is greater than the sum of national preparedness, and therefore independent monitoring is essential, and is needed at international, regional, and national levels. Member States, through the Political Declaration, should collectively commit to strengthen global monitoring across all levels and all sectors.
In addition, the Political Declaration should clarify how monitoring should be strengthened, including by specifying the critical role of WHO in helping countries build their pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and independent monitoring capacities. Without a clear path, monitoring and accountability may remain simply an aspiration. The GPMB urges Member States to commit to including effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms in the Pandemic Accord and IHR amendment negotiation processes.
Member States should also commit to strengthening existing mechanisms for independent, evidence-based and multisectoral monitoring, and to strengthening the capacity for data collection, analysis and sharing at the national, regional, and global levels. Progress on this should be reported at the next High-Level Meeting on PPPR in 2026.
About GPMB
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) is an independent monitoring and accountability body to ensure preparedness for global health crises. Co-convened by the Director-General of the World Health Organization and the President of the World Bank, the GPMB is comprised of globally-recognized leaders and experts from a wide range of sectors, including global health, veterinary epidemiology, environment, human rights, economics, law, gender, and development. In May 2023, the GPMB published its Monitoring Framework for Preparedness.