By R Anil Kumar
New York/Bengaluru, Sep 25, 2026. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday stressed the need for a global approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, stressing that no country can protect itself from pandemics alone.
“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that, in our interconnected world, no country can protect itself alone. We learned this at immense human and economic cost,” Guterres said in a speech read on his behalf by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at a high-level meeting on combating pandemics.
He called for lasting preparedness based on equity, solidarity and effective multilateral cooperation, as well as greater use of science and stronger engagement by communities and local health workers, Xinhua news agency reported.
Guterres also stressed the need to close massive financing gaps and ensure that all countries have well-funded community-based systems for disease detection, surveillance, communication and containment.
“When communities are protected, we are all protected. I call on governments to ensure predictable and sustainable resources to back up our promises and save lives,” he said.
He called for a genuine One Health approach, noting that human health is closely linked to the health of the natural environment, including plants and animals.
“We must deepen our understanding of human interaction with the natural world and find ways to stop outbreaks before they spread to humans,” he said.
Guterres also stressed the need for equity among nations, saying all countries should have access to life-saving tools both as a matter of justice and as an effective way to contain outbreaks.
He said the pathogen access and benefit-sharing system under negotiation is critical to unlocking the full potential of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, adding that “there is no time to waste.”
“The next pandemic is not a question of ‘if.’ It is a question of ‘when.’ It will test our health systems and our commitment to one another. Guided by your discussions today, let’s make sure it’s a test that we all pass,” Guterres said.
India Pushes for Resilient Health Systems, Global Action on Pandemic Preparedness
Representing India at the UN High-Level Meeting on ‘Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response’ in New York on September 25, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening global health security through international cooperation, calling for sustained investment, stronger institutional capacity and resilient health systems based on the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic.
India Outlines Coordinated Approach to Pandemic Preparedness
Addressing the meeting at the United Nations Headquarters, Srivastava outlined India’s coordinated, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to pandemic prevention and response, covering a wide range of potential health emergencies.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Union Health Secretary highlighted India’s efforts to expand laboratory networks, emergency coordination mechanisms, health workforce, stockpiles and clinical care capacity to ensure effective responses to health emergencies.
National Health Systems, Development Plans Key to Pandemic Preparedness
Union Health Secretary Srivastava said pandemic preparedness efforts must be anchored in national health systems, development plans and domestic financing, with international assistance serving to complement national responsibility.
India Calls for Digital Public Infrastructure as a Global Public Good
Drawing on India’s experience during COVID-19, Srivastava called for digital public infrastructure to be recognised as a global public good.
She highlighted the role of digital solutions in surveillance, vaccination, risk communication, supply chains and ensuring continuity of health services during the pandemic.
India Highlights Vaccine Support, ‘One Earth, One Health’
Underscoring the importance of solidarity and equitable access to essential health products, Srivastava said India supplied 300 million vaccine doses to around 100 countries and two UN entities during the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing medical assistance to over 150 countries.
She said these efforts reflected India’s commitment to the principle of “One Earth, One Health” and to the Global South.
Fair Pathogen Access, Benefit Sharing
Referring to the WHO Pandemic Agreement adopted in May 2025, the Union Health Secretary described it as an important milestone and stressed that its credibility would depend on a fair Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system.
She said countries contributing pathogens and biological resources must receive timely access to vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, technologies, and other benefits, while respecting national sovereignty.
PABS Talks Must Reflect National Circumstances, Capacities
Srivastava said the political declaration should not prejudge ongoing negotiations on the PABS annex and should be implemented in accordance with national circumstances and capacities.
On the ‘One Health’ approach, she called for its implementation, as appropriate, in accordance with domestic law, international law and national circumstances.
Member States’ Role Crucial in Reviewing Pandemic Tools
The Union Health Secretary also stressed the importance of member states’ role in reviewing and consolidating pandemic prevention, preparedness and response tools, assessments and data.
Such processes, she said, should be undertaken in consultation with member states, given their policy implications.
Global Solidarity Must Translate into Action
Srivastava said preparedness is a shared responsibility and equity must remain central to efforts to address future pandemics and outbreaks.
“Global solidarity must be demonstrated through action,” she said.
WHO Chief Calls for Urgent PABS Negotiations
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted progress in strengthening the global health security architecture since COVID-19, including the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations.
He stressed the urgency of concluding negotiations on the PABS system, warning that delays could affect the world’s ability to respond to future pandemics.
