• The report has been released by Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB).

MAJOR FINDINGS

• The world’s capacity to deal with a potential new pandemic threat remains
• Significant weaknesses or declining capacities in critical areas of preparedness, including global coordination of research and development (R&D) efforts to address misinformation, community engagement, participation of low- and middle-income countries in decision-making, domestic and international financing of preparedness, independent monitoring, and meaningful involvement of relevant actors.
• The trust deficit between countries and between communities is a significant impediment to progress in strengthening preparedness.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Evidence-based monitoring, including independent monitoring, is essential to increase effectiveness, ensure accountability, and build trust.
• Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR) financing requires fundamental reform to free it from the limitations of development assistance and place it on a sustainable footing.
• Strengthening regional capacities for R&D, manufacturing and supply will help to address the inequities in global access to medical countermeasures.
• Urgent steps are needed to build trust through operationalizing principles of equity, leadership and accountability, and coherence within all measures to strengthen

ABOUT GLOBAL PREPAREDNESS MONITORING BOARD (GPMB)

• It was created in response to recommendations by the UN Secretary General’s Global Health Crises Task Force in 2017 in the wake of 2014- 2016 Ebola epidemic.
• The GPMB was co-convened by the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group.
• It was formally launched in May 2018.
• It is an independent monitoring and accountability body to ensure preparedness for global health crises.
• Secretariat- Geneva, Switzerland.
• Members- 15 – member Board is made up of political leaders, heads of agencies, and experts.