Event Program:

Opening Remarks

Panel Discussion 1: Strengthening the International Architecture for Health Emergencies

The United Nations plays a singular role in delivering large-scale, coordinated and comprehensive responses to health emergencies. Building on lessons learned from the West Africa Ebola outbreak and Zika, the UN mobilized to respond to the complex scientific, socioeconomic, humanitarian and human rights aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recovery, the UN can and must continue to learn and apply new lessons to reduce countries’ vulnerability to future health emergencies, including those fueled by the climate crisis and conflict. New approaches to integrative crisis response are already being conceived, including through proposals in the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda (OCA) Report. Importantly, the OCA proposals - including those related to health emergency preparedness - have highlighted that UN’s work can only be sustainable if it is premised on principles of inclusivity, equity, and community ownership. This panel discussion will explore opportunities for inter-agency coordination, enhanced UN support to national governments, and sustainable, people-centered solutions for health emergencies. 

Panel Discussion 2: Investing in Preparedness

Experts agree that another health emergency of equal or greater magnitude than COVID-19 pandemic is inevitable and time is running out to make a down payment on a healthier, more secure future for all. Various high-level COVID-19 review panels have noted that all countries must invest more in their own preparedness for health emergencies. At the same time, major global donors must also allocate additional funding to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response outside of regular Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments. Political leaders at the highest level should choose PPPR investments today to allow communities and countries to build resilient health systems capable of sustaining primary health services, responding to a range of health emergencies, and protecting progress on the SDGs. Efforts should ensure that communities most impacted by pandemics drive decisions on funding strategies, structure, and scope. This panel discussion will assess the financing landscape for PPPR and consider new and reimagined approaches to PPPR financing, including through the Financial Intermediary Fund at the World Bank.

Closing Reflections

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