Background
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted collective vulnerabilities and the need to strengthen the international community’s preparedness to future pandemics. The WHO-led interim coordination mechanism aims to enhance collaboration for timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures (MCM) against pandemic threats, through a network-of-networks approach (i-MCM-Net) by leveraging existing networks in the global MCM ecosystem, without prejudging or precluding INB and IHR discussions, while awaiting the finalization of the INB deliberations. The current focus of the i-MCM-Net is to understand how ready the world is in terms of equitable access to MCMs, should a new pandemic threat emerge. Including to identify gaps and potential priority actions to improve readiness.
With a view to enhance coherence and foster synergies, WHO is-convening regional entities on 12 - 13 March 2024, an in-person meeting. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the i-MCM-Net to provide an update on the analysis underway around Pandemic Influenza, Novel Coronavirus and Disease X and to hear insights and perspectives on the analysis.
Scope
This in-person meeting will focus on discussing a recently compiled draft report, exploring emerging gaps, and discussing potential key areas of action for greater pandemic preparedness and efficient pandemic response.
Purpose
The meeting aims to engage participants in a collaborative examination of the report, emphasizing the identification of challenges, fostering cross-sectoral dialogues.
Expected outcomes
- Establish cross-regional level communication channels and start an ongoing conversation among regional entities to improve collaboration for timely and fair access to MCM against pandemics.
- Contribute input and feedback on the initial mapping of MCM (the i-MCM-Net mapping report), which will be further refined by May 2024.
- Provide input for a practical framework ensuring informed procedures for developing, producing, accessing, allocating, and deploying MCMs against pandemic threats.
Participants
Nominated representatives from regional entities.
Format
In person
Language
The event will be conducted in English.
Meeting report
We remain available for any further details on this Regional Entities Coordination Meeting on i-MCM-Net, please contact Mr John LEE (leesung@who.int), Technical Officer, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO Emergencies Programme.