Is the world ready for the next pandemic?
29
October 2024 — 6:00PM TO 7:00PM
Anonymous (not verified)
9 October 2024
Chatham House and Online

Experts discuss the policies needed to prevent the next health catastrophe. This event will be followed by a reception.

The world faces multiple interlinked existential threats such as pandemics and the climate crisis, exacerbated by conflict and extreme poverty. However, the multilateral system is failing to respond with sufficient urgency or impact.

As the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic approaches, we risk sliding into complacency. We see an expanding outbreak of mpox in Africa, but rich countries holding stockpiled mpox vaccines are not releasing enough of them to contain the disease on the continent.  The Pandemic Accord negotiations are in overtime, with nations unable to reach agreement over concerns around sovereignty and resource distribution in any future pandemic. Similarly, a proposal to include a UN Emergency Platform in the recent Summit of the Future to strengthen the multilateral response to complex global shocks was shelved due to political deadlock.

Can we learn from past mistakes and break the cycle of panic and neglect? In today’s fractious and polarised geopolitical context, what would it take for leaders to do what’s necessary? And why is it so critical to have equity at the heart of any sustainable global response?

Chatham House, in partnership with The Elders, are pleased to present a panel of experts who will discuss key questions including:

• Five years on from COVID-19, who is showing global leadership today in preparing for future pandemics?
• Are international organisations and institutions fit for purpose to respond to pandemics in a multipolar geopolitical environment? How can they best adapt?
• What can be done to clarify and detoxify current debates around sovereignty to improve global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response?

Source: Chathamhouse Events