PGPHC documents - Panel for a Global Public Health Convention

Policy Statements

Independent Assessment & Governance Committees: Addressing Accountability and Governance in a Pandemic Accord

June 27, 2023

Even after the World Health Organization ended the COVID-19 public health emergency of international concern on 10 May 2023, the world is still far from ready to prevent and respond to future global health threats.

Governance of health emergencies

June 17, 2023

There have been many analyses of the COVID-19 pandemic but little discussion of the governance failures, especially the need for cross-government, multisectoral engagement, and leadership by heads of state and governments at both national and global levels.

PGPHC Statement to the Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

May 08, 2023

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention considers a Political Declaration essential to get Heads of State/Heads of Government committed to a new Treaty, the WHO CA+ and IHR changes. Whether we are talking about equity, accountability or governance, it will require a high-level, whole of Government commitment.

Good Start but Accountability Gap Undermines Potential of Pandemic Treaty

February 03, 2022

This week, Japan saw record numbers of people dying from COVID-19, the United States announced plans to end its COVID-19 emergency declaration in May and the WHO said that for now, COVID-19 will continue to be classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the organization’s highest level of alert.

GPHC Response to Conceptual Zero Draft

November 21, 2022

As the world continues to battle waves of COVID-19, the growing geographic spread of Ebola is both concerning and another sobering reminder that stopping disease outbreaks quickly requires a cohesive system that involves global, regional, national and local stakeholders.

The Pandemic Convention We Need Now

April, 2022

To prevent future outbreaks from becoming global pandemics, The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention (GPHC) is calling for an accountable international system that enables countries at every income level to detect, alert and respond to health threats.

The Case for a Pandemic Prevention Treaty

October, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health catastrophe. This was a preventable disaster. For more than 20 years, experts have warned us this was likely to happen if we did not pay attention to the governance, preparedness for the management of outbreaks and pandemics.

Manifesto

June 29, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected all aspects of human life on every region of the planet. The social and financial cost have been profound, and the deep devastation in terms of human suffering, lost lives, and compromised potential for future generations will be felt for years to come.

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic

March, 2021

We consulted with global experts across borders and sectors to determine what a new global public health security convention would need to best prevent, prepare for and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Communications to International Bodies

Submission to INB November 2022

4 November, 2022

The INB and its Bureau are now developing the ‘Conceptual Zero Draft’ of the new Instrument. It is vital that accountability is central to the Convention. The fundamental reason Covid 19 developed into a pandemic were the lack of preparedness of countries and the lack of accountability for active response.

Submission to INB September 2022

12 September, 2022

With a working draft towards the Convention / Legally Binding Instrument now available and the recommendation that it be under Article 19, the INB now has to balance delivery of a Treaty which countries are prepared to ratify with the need to make sure it is rigorous enough to stop outbreaks becoming pandemics.

Panel's Statement after Second INB Meeting

18-22 July, 2022

From spiking COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths due to Omicron subvariants to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak now recorded in nearly 80 countries, disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent and persistent

Panel's Response to WHO White Paper

4 May, 2022

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention has today submitted a response to the WHO White Paper. I have attached that response for your convenience. You will see that we are very supportive of the attempt to bring coherence to a very complex set of issues.

Submission to INB Public Hearings

12-13 April, 2022

What do we need to be accountable for? Preparedness includes accurate public health surveillance, and readiness to act when alerted by WHO, requiring finance for poorer countries. have prevented the pandemic we have been enduring.