The World Patients Alliance (WPA) welcomes the adoption of the United Nations Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response by the UN General Assembly on 12 October 2026. The declaration reaffirms international commitments to strengthen health systems, improve preparedness for future pandemics and promote equitable access to essential medical products and healthcare services.
The declaration follows the UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response held on 25 September 2026. It builds on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and calls for stronger national, regional and international cooperation, sustainable financing and coordinated action to address existing gaps in pandemic preparedness.
The declaration outlines priorities including stronger disease surveillance and early warning systems, investment in the health workforce, improved research and manufacturing capacities, and timely, affordable access to vaccines, diagnostics, treatments and other health technologies.
Protecting patients and ensuring equitable access
An important aspect of the declaration is its recognition of the disproportionate impact of pandemics on people living with chronic conditions, persons with disabilities and populations facing barriers to healthcare.
It also highlights the importance of maintaining essential health services during emergencies, including care for noncommunicable diseases, routine immunization, mental health services and psychosocial support.
For WPA, these commitments reinforce the need to place patients at the centre of pandemic preparedness and response. Strengthening health systems must include ensuring continuity of care, addressing inequalities in access to essential services and protecting patients whose ongoing healthcare needs may be disrupted during emergencies.
The declaration also recognizes the importance of inclusive community engagement and participation in health-related decisions. WPA emphasizes that patients and patient organisations should have meaningful opportunities to contribute to preparedness planning, public health communication and the implementation and monitoring of national response strategies.
The declaration further supports progress towards implementing the WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2025. Negotiations on the Agreement's Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex remain ongoing, with the outcome expected to be considered by the World Health Assembly in May 2027 or earlier.
WPA encourages governments and relevant stakeholders to translate these international commitments into practical, adequately financed measures that strengthen health systems, safeguard access to essential care and ensure that patient perspectives are reflected in preparedness and response policies.