Thread by @TheIndPanel

.@HelenClarkNZ: "this pandemic has shown the importance of multilateralism, global leadership, and whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches.

The international system needs to work as a coherent and effective system – and it must also work across sectors and silos."

The pandemic is not only a health crisis; it is also a social economic, political, and peace and security crisis.

We propose that a negotiated political declaration be adopted by the UNGA, setting out the road map for a stronger international system for the future.

"That roadmap should encompass support for a Global Health Threats Council, a dedicated financing mechanism, a new pandemic convention, and a redesigned, permanent mechanism replacing ACT-A based on a global public goods model."

At the top of that system, our Panel recommends the creation of a Global Health Threats Council at the level of Heads of State & Government & including private sector and civil society representation. Pandemic preparedness must be led from the top, and it must be multisectoral.

The Council would be tasked with maintaining political commitment to pandemic preparedness & response. It would not be an operational body, but rather monitor progress, draw attention to gaps, and hold actors accountable – all key functions that the Panel found were missing.

WHO has an indispensable role in responding to global health emergencies & ensuring longer-term public health and health security through the strengthening of primary health systems in all countries. WHO is and should remain the lead agency for health in the international system.

The Panel backs the calls for a new pandemic framework convention which should, among other things, fill gaps in the current legal system and clarify the responsibilities between States and international actors.

This pandemic treaty or framework convention would give state parties the opportunity to commit to the principles of pandemic preparedness and response in the spirit of mutual obligation, and give a framework for the institutional architecture needed to prevent future pandemics.

We propose the creation of an international pandemic financing facility. It must be able distribute up to $10bil a year for preparedness & disburse up to $100bil in the event of a crisis. Ultimately, investing billions in preparedness now will save trillions in the future.

The Panel considered that the current model of development and delivery of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for pandemics is not fit for purpose. We believe there is a need to shift away from a market-based model to one based on global public goods.

The Panel has recommended increasing the authority and independence of WHO, including by it having adequate, predictable, flexible and sustainable funding, and having its Director General and Regional Directors in future each serving a single term of seven years.

A greatly improved system for disease surveillance and alert is needed. WHO must have the authority to investigate outbreaks of concern rapidly, and publish information rapidly on its own authority. PHEIC declarations should be based on clear, objective, and published criteria.

The Panel recommended that WHO set measurable benchmarks for country preparedness & response capacities, and for countries to invest accordingly, with support coming from the dedicated financing mechanism for those with limited resources.

WHO should formalise universal periodic peer reviews of country progress against the benchmarks it sets. We also brought the IMF into the picture – proposing that it incorporate assessments of preparedness as part of its Article Four consultations.

Ultimately preparedness rests on national govts setting up the right structures, developing the needed capacities, & investing in the resilience of vital assets & social protection. Govts can listen & learn from the best practices we illustrate in our report.