India Stresses Resilient Health Systems, Pandemic Preparedness at UN

New Delhi: India has called for stronger and more resilient health systems and sustained global cooperation to prepare for future pandemics at a high-level United Nations meeting in New York.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava represented India at the Second UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) held on September 25. The meeting brought together countries and international partners to review progress since the first high-level meeting in 2023 and discuss measures to strengthen global health security.

India highlights lessons from COVID-19

India's intervention focused on the importance of using lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen national and global preparedness.

The country highlighted its coordinated approach to health emergencies, including the expansion of laboratory networks and the use of digital public infrastructure in healthcare. India also stressed the importance of international cooperation in responding to outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

The emphasis on resilient health systems comes as countries continue to address the weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization has identified resilient health systems, sustainable financing, pandemic prevention and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics as key priorities during the current UN General Assembly session.

Focus on equitable access to health products

India also stressed the need for fair and equitable access to essential health products and technologies, particularly during global health emergencies.

A key issue discussed at the UN meeting was the proposed Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system under the WHO Pandemic Agreement. The mechanism is intended to facilitate timely sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential while ensuring that benefits arising from their use—including vaccines, medicines and diagnostics—are shared equitably.

The WHO said countries at the meeting stressed the need to conclude negotiations on the PABS annex and advance implementation of the strengthened International Health Regulations.

UN renews global pandemic preparedness commitment

The September 25 meeting marked the second UN General Assembly high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, following the first such meeting in 2023.

According to the WHO, participating countries renewed their commitment to sustained and more equitable investment in pandemic preparedness. The discussions emphasised stronger local and national capacities, resilient health systems, early-warning mechanisms and international cooperation.

The WHO has also highlighted recent developments since 2023, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, strengthening of the International Health Regulations and the establishment of mechanisms such as the Pandemic Fund and the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence.

India backs stronger global health cooperation

India's position at the meeting reflects its broader emphasis on strengthening domestic health capacity while supporting international cooperation during health emergencies.

The country also called attention to the importance of solidarity and fair access to healthcare resources. Such cooperation is considered particularly important because infectious disease outbreaks can quickly cross national borders and place pressure on health systems.

The UN meeting comes as governments continue efforts to translate the lessons of COVID-19 into long-term preparedness. Participants stressed that pandemic preparedness should remain a sustained priority rather than becoming a focus only when a major outbreak occurs.