A global public health convention for the 21st century

The absence of explicit WHO authority to meaningfully monitor and enforce the IHR results in a world that is inadequately prepared to strategically manage infectious disease outbreaks at global, national, or subnational levels. The global health governance system might be more aptly described as a group of transnational and national actors pursuing their own interests17 than a coordinated network of collaborating stakeholders working to achieve pan As shown by COVID-19, infectious diseases with a pandemic potential present a grave threat to health and wellbeing. Although the International Health Regulations provide a framework of binding legal obligations for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, many countries do not comply with these regulations. There is a need for a renewed framework for global collective action that ensures conformity with international regulations and promotes effective prevention and response to pandemic infectious diseases. This Health Policy identifies the necessary characteristics for a new global public health security convention designed to optimise prevention, preparedness, and response to pandemic infectious diseases. We propose ten recommendations to strengthen global public health governance and promote compliance with global health security regulations. Recommendations for a new global public health security convention include greater authority for a global governing body, an improved ability to respond to pandemics, an objective evaluation system for national core public health capacities, more effective enforcement mechanisms, independent and sustainable funding, representativeness, and investment from multiple sectors, among others. The next steps to achieve these recommendations include assembling an invested alliance, specifying the operational structures of a global public health security system, and overcoming barriers such as insufficient political will, scarcity of resources, and individual national interests.

Automated summary

The lack of WHO authority to monitor and enforce health regulations leads to inadequate global preparedness for disease outbreaks. A new global collective action framework is needed to ensure compliance with international regulations and enhance prevention and response to pandemics. Recommendations for a new global health security convention include greater authority for a global governing body, improved pandemic response, and effective enforcement mechanisms.