The UN convenes its second high-level pandemic-preparedness meeting today

Heads of state, ministers, international organizations, researchers, businesses and civil society meet in New York on September 25 to review progress since the 2023 political declaration. The meeting is expected to advance implementation of strengthened International Health Regulations, entry into force of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, negotiation of its pathogen-access and benefit-sharing annex, stronger surveillance, equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, and sustainable finance. Recent Ebola, mpox, cholera and hantavirus events show that tools have improved while execution and funding gaps remain.