The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest global challenges in human history – a health, scientific and political challenge, causing upheaval across all of society. For the first time in 70 years, life expectancy in all regions has decreased from 2020. Globally, it is estimated over 30 million people have lost their lives (all-cause excess deaths) since the onset of the pandemic, and the cost to the global economy has been more than U$12 trillion. Moreover, COVID has had an indirect impact on health systems and set progress back on global health priorities such as childhood immunisation, maternal and child health, mental health and TB, HIV, and malaria. Long COVID is an urgent and under-recognised consequence of COVID-19, affecting at least 65 million people globally.

The draft of the WHO pandemic accord recognises the “catastrophic failure of the international community in showing solidarity and equity.”

The cost of this failure has been borne largely by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and in exacerbating existing inequities within countries. Over 1 million people are estimated to have died as a result of vaccine inequity.

Despite multiple previous expert reports and recommendations, the COVID-19 pandemic provides a galvanising moment to set path on a difference course if we are to prepare and prevent future pandemics and health emergencies.

This session will explore the system failures in the pandemic response where solutions and reform can prevent future pandemics. There will be a focus on the role of research and development, data for decision making and equitable access to tools and solutions.

Panel members will provide an update and discuss the political determinants of the pandemic, international and multi-sectoral collaboration and development and ratification of binding global health instruments – a new pandemic accord (treaty) and reform of the International Health Regulations.