WHO Launches New Pandemic Preparedness Plan Amid Global Health Concerns

Four years after COVID-19 swept across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking decisive steps to prepare for the next major health crisis. In a press briefing held on September 20 in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the launch of the Global Pandemic Preparedness Framework 2.0, a new international protocol aimed at improving real-time response, data sharing, and equitable vaccine access.

“Our world was not ready in 2020,” Dr. Tedros said. “This time, we will not be caught off guard.”

The new framework outlines mandatory commitments for member states, including early-warning surveillance systems, minimum stockpiles of medical supplies, and universal access to diagnostics and vaccines within 100 days of an outbreak. It also proposes the formation of a permanent Pandemic Coordination Council, composed of scientists, health ministers, and representatives from low-income countries.

One of the most urgent goals is to prevent “vaccine nationalism,” which slowed down global response efforts during COVID-19. Under the new agreement, wealthier nations will contribute to a shared global fund that finances vaccine distribution in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.

Public health experts across Asia and Africa have welcomed the move. “This is long overdue,” said Dr. Amina Saleh, an epidemiologist in Nairobi. “During the last pandemic, Africa was last in line. That must never happen again.”

South Korea, which was widely praised for its early contact tracing and digital infrastructure during COVID-19, has pledged to support the initiative through both funding and technology-sharing. The Korean Ministry of Health has already begun developing new AI-driven outbreak modeling tools, which may be integrated into WHO’s global dashboard by 2025.

However, challenges remain. Some countries—including the United States and Brazil—have expressed concerns over sovereignty and data-sharing requirements. Meanwhile, activists argue that the new framework must also include stronger accountability measures for pharmaceutical companies, especially regarding pricing transparency.

As the memory of COVID-19 fades for some, global health leaders are reminding the world that pandemics are not a “once-in-a-century” event—they are recurring threats. And this time, the world must act before the alarm sounds.

Date: 2024-09-30

Reporter: 박근홍