PANEL DISCUSSIONPD 04
The World Together: Driving Collective Responsibility and Action for Health Emergencies
Date
Sunday, 12th October
Time
14:00-15:30 CEST
12:00-13:30 UTC
Room
Hall 2
About the session
The adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement in May 2025 comes at a pivotal moment for multilateralism in general, and global health security more specifically, and represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen the collective foundations for pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The Agreement offers a beacon of hope amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, conflict and displacement, climate-driven health shocks, and rising health inequalities.
Organized by the WHO Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, this high-level session will spotlight the transformative potential for positive change that exists, thanks to the shared responsibilities and collective actions that the WHO Pandemic Agreement can drive. Engaging diverse voices from governments, public health institutions, international organizations, civil society and others, the session will explore opportunities to translate shared commitments into collective action before during and after health emergencies that can enhance resilience and equity worldwide. The session seeks to inspire renewed efforts towards a shared vision that fosters scientific advancements, community engagement, and multisectoral cooperation, mobilizing the world to come together for a more equitable, safer, healthier future where no one is left behind.
Organized by the WHO Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme, this high-level session will spotlight the transformative potential for positive change that exists, thanks to the shared responsibilities and collective actions that the WHO Pandemic Agreement can drive. Engaging diverse voices from governments, public health institutions, international organizations, civil society and others, the session will explore opportunities to translate shared commitments into collective action before during and after health emergencies that can enhance resilience and equity worldwide. The session seeks to inspire renewed efforts towards a shared vision that fosters scientific advancements, community engagement, and multisectoral cooperation, mobilizing the world to come together for a more equitable, safer, healthier future where no one is left behind.
Speakers
Kareen Jabre
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Director of Programmes
Switzerland
Open
Edson Rwagasore
Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
Head of Public Health Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness and Response
Rwanda
Open
Juan Manuel Santos
The Elders
Chair
Video Message
Open
Maria de Lourdes Aguiar Oliveira
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz)
Vice President for Global Health and International Relations
Brazil
Open
Georg Kippels
Federal Ministry of Health (BMG)
Parliamentary State Secretary
Germany
Open
Tovar da Silva Nunes
Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement
Co-Chair
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Brazil to The United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations
Open
Abdullah Algwizani
Public Health Authority
CEO
Saudi Arabia
Open