On 25 September 2026, the second United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response took place at UN Headquarters in New York. World leaders reviewed progress made since the inaugural 2023 meeting and focused on a political declaration centred on equity, solidarity, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable investment in health systems. The meeting ran from 10:00 to 18:00 Atlantic Time and was broadcast on UN Web TV.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the need for continued action and investment, stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and worsened serious weaknesses in global health security. “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated the fault lines of global health security, and taught the world many painful lessons,” he said during his remarks at the meeting.
Dr Tedros noted that the political commitments made at the gathering aim to translate lessons learned into measurable steps to build and strengthen local and national capacities, invest in resilient health systems, and expand equitable access to vital products, tools, and resources. “The political commitment shown today reflects those lessons, and includes important commitments to concrete, measurable and urgent action,” he added.
The meeting was held under the theme “Fostering a multilateral and intergenerational approach to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics and public health emergencies, through the principles of equity and solidarity”. It reviewed the implementation of the 2023 political declaration and sought agreement on further actions to enhance preparedness for future health crises.
Progress since 2023 includes the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations, both aimed at strengthening the global framework for pandemic response. However, significant negotiations remain, notably on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system. Mrs Amina Mohammed, speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said, “The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System, under negotiation, is critical to unlocking the full potential of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. There is no time to waste.”
Dr Tedros emphasised the inevitability of future pandemics, warning, “The next pandemic is a matter of when, not if.” He further framed pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response as a global public good rather than merely a hopeful ambition.
While the meeting delivered a consensus-driven, action-oriented political declaration, WHO and UN sources acknowledge that sustained and coordinated efforts are crucial to realise the goals outlined. The event forms part of a broader international endeavour to strengthen global health security through equitable and multilateral cooperation, with an emphasis on investing in health systems worldwide.
Independent WHO and UN sources have confirmed these developments, and CapeFlats.co.za will monitor further updates on the implementation of the political declaration, progress on the Pathogen Access negotiations, and their implications for Africa and South Africa specifically.