Calling for a New Multilateral Fund for Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness

As the Delta variant surges and suffering continues around the world, Pandemic Action Network (PAN) and its partners are calling for a significant multilateral mechanism for sustained investment in pandemic prevention and preparedness. “This crisis is a call-to-action,” wrote PAN, Center for Global Development, and Nuclear Threat Initiative in a new policy brief.  

The brief calls on world leaders at the 2021 United Nations General Assembly to launch a 100-day action plan to establish and resource a fund that can mobilize at least US$10 billion annually over the next five years to bolster global health security and pandemic preparedness. “History has shown time and again that if action is not taken during a crisis, then political will dissipates once the crisis fades from view,” the brief states. 

This policy brief aims to inform and guide consultations among governments and non-governmental stakeholders on the parameters and design of this new fund and action plan.  

Key characteristics of the fund 

Strengthening country leadership and accountability for pandemic preparedness must be at the core of the new fund, says the report. “Strong, country-led systems and investment in national and regional health security capacities are the bedrock of better preparedness,” it reads. While 196 countries have agreed to adopt a national health action plan, lack of financing has been a major roadblock in that process. 

The report outlines several key imperatives for this new fund to address gaps in global health infrastructure: including cross sector coordination and collaboration, and the needs to drive progress in areas outside current global health organization mandates at the intersection of climate, environment and health. 

Priority areas for investment 

The report calls for the fund to be purpose-driven and not to succumb to mission drift. “It should remain rooted in closing critical gaps with a focus on core capacities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that constitute global public goods, using data from globally recognized sources,” reads the report and outlines what capacities should be prioritized for investment including globally coordinated surveillance, data, and laboratory networks for early detection and a well-trained, well-equipped frontline health workforce and infrastructure. 

The report calls for a fund to sustainably catalyze investments from a broad array of public and private sources of finance, including governments, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector donors, philanthropies, and even from individual donors. 

Principles for global action 

As the world comes together to establish this fund, the report includes several key principles that should inform the effort.  

• Preparedness: to focus on elevating, accelerating, and sustaining investments in preparedness at national, regional, and global levels for the looming threat of epidemics and pandemics. 
• Additionality: to create substantial new and targeted investments, commensurate with the global threat and national needs, but it must not come at the expense of other existing global health and development priorities. 
• Multisector Approach: pandemics are not only a health threat, but also a grave economic and security threat. They cannot be prevented or solved by working through the health sector alone. 
• Governance and Accountability: the Fund should have a diverse governance body with high-level representation from governments, multilateral institutions, foundations, civil society, and the private sector. 

Now is a moment of urgency, an opportunity to create a safer and healthier world. “We can begin to pandemic-proof the future if world leaders act now,” urge the authors. “Humanity can’t afford to wait.” 

Read the full report and share with your networks in advance of UNGA Week.