As infectious disease outbreaks become more frequent, they are also becoming more damaging, with broader health, economic, political and social impacts, and reduced capacity to recover from them, says a new report from an independent monitoring and accountability body to ensure preparedness for global health crises.
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) report “A World on the Edge: Priorities for a Pandemic Resilient Future,” launched on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly on Monday, warned that a decade of investment has not kept pace with rising pandemic risks. New initiatives have improved aspects of preparedness, but these efforts are generally offset by the growing impacts of increasing geopolitical fragmentation, environmental disruption, and global travel, especially as development aid declines to levels not seen since 2009.
The report analyzes a decade of public health emergencies of international concern, from Ebola in West Africa to COVID-19 to smallpox, and assesses their impacts on health systems, economies and societies. On key measures, such as equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines and treatments, the world is moving backwards.
Smallpox vaccines reached affected low-income countries nearly two years after the outbreak began — even slower than the 17 months it took for COVID-19 vaccines. The mounting toll of such emergencies extends beyond the health and economic impacts. Both Ebola and COVID-19 have damaged trust in government, civil liberties and democratic norms, which has been amplified by politicized responses, attacks on scientific institutions and polarization that has lasted longer than crises, making societies less resilient to the next emergency.
The report stresses that the real near-term risk of another pandemic would hit a world that is more divided, more indebted and less able to protect its people than it was a decade ago, exposing all countries to greater health, social and economic impacts.
The report highlights the potential of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve preparedness, especially to monitor pandemic threats, but underscores that without effective governance and safeguards they can actually reduce health security and accelerate access gaps identified by COVID-19.
“The world does not lack solutions,” said Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, co-chair of the Global Resource Monitoring Alliance. “But without trust and equity, these solutions will not reach the people who need them most. Political, industry and civil society leaders can still change the course of global preparedness – if they turn their commitments into measurable progress before the next crisis strikes.”
The Global Monitoring Board, which will conclude its mandate in 2026, identifies three concrete priorities for political leaders to reverse these trends: establishing a permanent, independent monitoring mechanism to track pandemic risks; Promote equitable access to life-saving vaccines, tests and treatments through the Pandemic Compact; and secure robust funding for both Day Zero preparedness and response activities.
“If trust and cooperation continue to break down, every country will be more vulnerable when the next pandemic hits,” said Joy Vomafi, co-chair of GPMB. “Preparedness is not just a technical challenge – it is a test of political leadership.”
The report said leadership will be tested this year, as governments work to finalize a WHO pandemic agreement and agree on a meaningful UN political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
