COVID-19: 6 Years On – Is the World Better Prepared for the Next Pandemic?
- Six years after the emergence of COVID-19, the world finds itself at a critical juncture in pandemic preparedness.
- The assessment, released on February 2, 2026, acknowledges a mixed picture: a “yes and no” answer to the question of whether the world is better prepared for the...
- The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder that global threats demand global responses, as emphasized by WHO Director-General Dr.
Six years after the emergence of COVID-19, the world finds itself at a critical juncture in pandemic preparedness. While significant strides have been made in strengthening global health security, progress remains uneven and fragile, according to a recent assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO first declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) six years ago, in and while that designation ended in , the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt worldwide.
The assessment, released on , acknowledges a mixed picture: a “yes and no” answer to the question of whether the world is better prepared for the next pandemic. Meaningful steps have been taken, but these gains are vulnerable and require sustained commitment.
Progress Forged in the Wake of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder that global threats demand global responses, as emphasized by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Solidarity is the best immunity,” he stated during the opening of the 158th session of the Executive Board. This sentiment has driven several key advancements in pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response.
Perhaps the most significant achievement is the adoption of the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement in . This agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, aiming to improve both global health security and equity. Member States are currently negotiating the Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) system annex, with the goal of finalizing it ahead of this year’s World Health Assembly. The agreement’s eventual entry into force as international law represents a major step forward.
Alongside the Pandemic Agreement, amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) came into effect in , designed to strengthen national capacities for health emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and resilience. These changes aim to bolster countries’ abilities to detect, assess, and respond to public health threats.
Financial commitments have also been made. The Pandemic Fund, cofounded by WHO and the World Bank, has provided over US$ 1.2 billion in grant funding across three rounds. This funding has catalyzed an additional US$ 11 billion, supporting 67 projects in 98 countries across six regions. These projects focus on expanding surveillance networks, strengthening laboratory capacity, training healthcare workers, and improving multisectoral coordination.
Technological advancements are also playing a crucial role. WHO’s Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence has updated its Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system, leveraging artificial intelligence to support over 110 countries in identifying and reacting to emerging threats more quickly. Genomic sequencing capacities have surged globally, with over 110 countries now strengthening genomic surveillance to track pathogens with pandemic potential.
The WHO BioHub has expanded its role as a trusted global mechanism, coordinating 25 sample shipments to 13 laboratories, supported by 30 countries and territories. Since its launch in late 2020, the BioHub has acquired 34 variants of SARS-CoV-2, mpox, Oropouche virus, and MERS-CoV, facilitating research and collaboration.
Efforts to expand local, equitable development and production of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments are accelerating, including the mRNA technology transfer hub in Cape Town and its training center in Seoul, as well as the Interim Medical Countermeasures Network. The WHO Academy in France and the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing, established by the Republic of Korea and WHO, are focused on strengthening workforce capacities.
The Global Health Emergency Corps, established in 2023, supports countries experiencing public health emergencies by assessing workforce capacities, deploying surge support, and fostering a network of emergency leaders. The Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) continues to help countries identify gaps and strengthen accountability.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, progress was being made. Currently, 121 countries have national public health agencies dedicated to health emergency efforts. Twenty countries have completed Joint External Evaluations, and 195 States Parties file annual IHR reports. Twenty-two countries have finalized National Action Plans for Health Security.
Recent responses to Ebola and Marburg outbreaks demonstrate this progress. Diseases that once lacked vaccines and rapid diagnostics are now being contained more effectively, as evidenced by the recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. These responses were led by national institutions, supported by the WHO.
Fragile Gains and Shifting Priorities
Despite these achievements, the WHO warns that these gains are fragile. The past few years have seen a troubling shift in funding priorities, with resources increasingly diverted from health towards defense and national security. This trend, the WHO emphasizes, is shortsighted, as pandemics themselves pose significant national security threats.
Investing in pandemic preparedness is not merely a health imperative; it is an investment in lives saved, economies protected, and societies stabilized.
A Call to Action
The WHO urges all governments, partners, and stakeholders not to abandon pandemic preparedness and prevention efforts. This week’s WHO Executive Board meeting is a pivotal moment, as governments set the course for future collaboration, accountability, and efficiency in global health.
The WHO stresses that pathogens do not respect borders and that no single country can effectively prevent or manage a pandemic alone. Global health security requires cross-sectoral, cross-governmental, and cross-regional collaboration. The WHO remains committed to working with all countries to strengthen preparedness, accelerate innovation, and uphold solidarity. The time to prepare is now, before the next pandemic strikes.