PAHO together with Africa CDC calls for sustained pandemic financing at UN General Assembly

USA—The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Africa CDC, together with countries and partners from Africa and the Americas, have called for sustained investment in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR).

The call was made during a high-level side event, “Two Regions, One Future: Financing Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Build Global Health Security,” held during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Burundi organized the event in collaboration with PAHO and Africa CDC, with support from the United Nations Foundation.

Strengthening regional preparedness

The meeting brought together leaders and partners from both regions to discuss how country-led priorities, stronger regional capacity and predictable financing can strengthen health systems and improve preparedness for future health emergencies.

Guyana President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks of relying heavily on distant sources for essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and protective equipment.

“Science should know north or south, but access to its fruits must never depend on geography,” he said, calling for greater scientific capacity in the Global South to develop, rather than only receive, life-saving innovations.

PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said pandemic preparedness requires investment before emergencies occur.

“Preparedness is not a cost we pay during an emergency. It is an investment we make before one strikes,” he said, adding that such investment supports public health, economic resilience, social stability, and collective security.

Barbosa also identified sustained financing as a major challenge.

He called for predictable, long-term investments at national, regional and global levels, including during periods when no major health emergency is underway.

Investing in surveillance and response

Discussions drew on lessons from COVID-19 and recent infectious disease outbreaks.

Participants highlighted disease surveillance, epidemic intelligence, laboratory and genomic surveillance, early warning systems, rapid response and emergency coordination as key areas for investment.

Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya said countries should invest before emergencies occur and ensure that national priorities guide preparedness efforts.

He also emphasized the value of cooperation between Africa and the Americas, including knowledge sharing, stronger regional institutions and financing aligned with country needs.

Participants stressed that governments should remain at the centre of pandemic preparedness by defining priorities and directing investments according to national risks and capacities.

Regional organizations such as PAHO and Africa CDC can support these efforts through technical cooperation, cross-border coordination and knowledge exchange.

Africa and the Americas strengthen cooperation

Burundi’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Zephyrine Maniratanga, cited the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a reminder of the need for greater investment in preparedness and response.

She also highlighted opportunities for South-South cooperation between Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

The event called for a shift from emergency-driven funding towards sustained investment in preparedness.

Participants also discussed stronger cooperation between national governments and regional institutions as countries work to strengthen health security.

The meeting took place ahead of the Second United Nations High Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on September 25.

World leaders are expected to review progress since the first meeting in 2023 and discuss continued political commitment and financing for pandemic preparedness, alongside implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

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