Six years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the pandemic’s impact continues to shape global health priorities and collective memory. While the emergency phase officially ended in May 2023, WHO now reflects on whether the world is better prepared for the next pandemic. The answer, according to the organization, is mixed: significant progress has been made, but it remains uneven and fragile.
In the years since COVID-19, countries, WHO, and partners have taken meaningful steps to strengthen pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response. Landmark developments include the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement in 2025, amendments to the International Health Regulations to boost national capacities, and the expansion of global financing through the Pandemic Fund. Advances in surveillance, genomic sequencing, artificial intelligence–enabled epidemic intelligence, and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments have improved the world’s ability to detect and respond to emerging threats more rapidly.
Capacity-building efforts have also expanded worldwide. More countries now have national public health agencies dedicated to emergency preparedness, and systems for evaluation, accountability, and workforce training have been strengthened. Initiatives such as the WHO BioHub, vaccine and biomanufacturing training hubs, and the Global Health Emergency Corps have helped close gaps exposed during COVID-19, while long-standing mechanisms for influenza surveillance and pandemic product access continue to provide a strong foundation for future responses.
Recent responses to Ebola and Marburg outbreaks demonstrate how these investments are translating into real-world impact. Compared with past epidemics, recent outbreaks have been detected earlier, contained faster, and resulted in fewer deaths, largely due to stronger national leadership supported by WHO and partners. These examples show that preparedness efforts can save lives when systems are adequately resourced and coordinated.
However, WHO warns that these gains are at risk. Shifting political priorities and declining health funding threaten the sustainability of preparedness systems, despite pandemics posing clear national security risks. WHO calls on governments and partners to maintain momentum, invest consistently in prevention and preparedness, and strengthen global cooperation. As pathogens do not respect borders, sustained solidarity and vigilance are essential to ensure the world is truly ready before the next pandemic strikes.
