UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response

On 25 September 2026 in New York City, IFPMA delivered a statement at the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response.

Panel 1: Multilateral action for coordinated pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, including sharing of best practices and lessons learned so far

The COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks including Ebola have reinforced a simple lesson: preparedness cannot be built during a crisis. It requires sustained investment in surveillance, resilient health systems, health workforce capacity, supply chains, and the ability to rapidly develop, manufacture, and deploy medical countermeasures.

The pharmaceutical industry has always stepped up and contributed to combatting outbreaks. We bring scientific expertise, product pipelines, manufacturing capacity, and critical experience in developing and delivering vaccines and treatments.

But we want to do better - be more prepared, move faster, and deliver for the world. For example, data from the INTREPID Alliance shows the gaps in the pipeline for antivirals - with 9 high-risk viral families lacking any novel clinical stage R&D.

We can only do that as part of a coordinated and collaborative effort. That is why we are calling for global frameworks that support rapid and effective action by facilitating the timely sharing of pathogen samples and scientific information, strengthening research and development, and enabling regulatory cooperation. They should also support practical measures such as day-zero financing and coordinated response mechanisms that allow partners to mobilize quickly when new threats emerge. The objective must be to accelerate collaboration and innovation, not create additional barriers or complexity during a crisis.

Governments cannot deliver preparedness alone. Many stakeholders contribute unique expertise and capabilities. Voluntary public-private partnerships, transfer of technology, and collaborations on mutually agreed terms are critical for an effective response, underpinned by strong and enforceable intellectual property frameworks.

Finally, preparedness requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Health security should be viewed as a strategic investment in economic resilience, national security, and sustainable development, not solely as a health sector challenge. Immunization should be recognized as a core preparedness asset. Equally important is fostering trust and public confidence in science and evidence-based decision-making.

IFPMA remains committed to working with Member States and partners across sectors to translate these lessons into practical action and strengthen global preparedness for future health emergencies.