78th WHO Regional Committee for the Americas: Strategy for strengthening health emergency and risk management for health security 2026-2031

On 29 September 2026 in Washington, D.C., IFPMA delivered a statement on the strategy for strengthening health emergency and risk management for health security 2026-2031 at the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization and ahead of the 78th WHO Regional Committee for the Americas.

IFPMA welcomes the Strategy for Health Emergency Risk Management and Health Security 2026-2031 and commends Member States for advancing a forward-looking framework to strengthen preparedness, resilience, and response capacities across the Americas.

The innovative pharmaceutical industry strongly supports the strategy's recognition that health emergencies are becoming more frequent and complex, requiring sustained investments in prevention, preparedness, and response capacities. We welcome the emphasis on strengthening surveillance systems, laboratory networks, emergency operations capacities, and multisectoral coordination mechanisms. These capabilities are essential to detect threats early and respond rapidly before outbreaks escalate into larger crises.

Achieving the strategy's ambitions will require a strong innovation ecosystem. Scientific advances in vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures remain central to global health security. Continued support for research and development, regulatory strengthening, international collaboration, and policies that foster innovation will be essential to ensure the world is better prepared for future health threats.

IFPMA also strongly supports the focus on preparedness as a continuous investment rather than a reactive exercise. Building and maintaining readiness between emergencies is critical to protecting populations and ensuring that countries can rapidly deploy effective countermeasures when health threats emerge. This aligns with IFPMA's call for stronger health systems, country readiness, and sustained investments in preparedness infrastructure, including routine immunization programs, primary healthcare systems, and emergency response capabilities.

The emphasis on resilient supply chains and regional health security architecture is also important. COVID-19 demonstrated the importance of maintaining robust manufacturing, procurement, and distribution systems capable of responding rapidly during emergencies. These priorities are consistent with IFPMA's call for predictable procurement mechanisms, day-zero financing, and enabling policy frameworks that support timely access to medical countermeasures.

IFPMA stands ready to work with PAHO, Member States, and partners across the region to advance these shared objectives and strengthen health security for all.