PAHO joins global efforts to advance pandemic prevention, preparedness and response

THE PAN AMERICAN Health Organization (PAHO), will join global efforts to advance pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR) during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), as countries and partners prepare for the Second High-Level Meeting on PPPR on September 25, 2026.

For the Americas, strengthening pandemic preparedness remains critical as countries continue to face emerging and re-emerging health threats, while working to build more resilient health systems and strengthen health security, a PAHO release states.

The General Assembly comes at a pivotal moment for global health, as countries continue to navigate ongoing health emergencies, economic pressures, climate-related threats and declining development assistance while working to strengthen health systems and protect populations from future risks.

Against this backdrop, the High-Level Meeting on PPPR will focus on how countries can sustain and strengthen preparedness efforts in an increasingly constrained global financing environment.

PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa will participate in a series of high-level events throughout UNGA week, highlighting the experience and priorities of the Americas and the importance of sustained investment, strong health systems and regional and international cooperation to strengthen pandemic preparedness and global health security.

PAHO also states that the second UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response will provide an opportunity to review progress since the first meeting in 2023 and renew political commitment to prevent future pandemics through international cooperation.

The discussions will take place as countries advance implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, strengthen the International Health Regulations, and pursue other global commitments aimed at improving pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

In the Americas, many of the capacities needed to prepare for future pandemics are the same ones countries rely on every day to protect health, including disease surveillance, laboratory networks, primary health care, infection prevention and control, and resilient health systems.

“Pandemic prevention and preparedness cannot be built only when an emergency occurs. It requires sustained investment in the health systems, laboratories, surveillance and public health capacities that countries need every day,” Dr. Barbosa is quoted as stating.

“The Americas has important experience to share, including the value of regional cooperation and the importance of strengthening national capacities as part of global health security.”

“Pandemics can have profound and far-reaching consequences, disrupting health systems, economies and societies and reversing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. “ COVID-19 underscored the need for sustained investment in preparedness, international cooperation and equitable access to the tools and capacities needed to protect populations,” the PAHO release points out.

Five years after COVID-19, the world has stronger tools and frameworks for preventing and responding to health emergencies, but significant challenges remain. Sustained political commitment, investment in resilient health systems, trust in science and effective international cooperation remain essential to global health security.