PREZODE advocates for an integrated proactive prevention along with preparedness strategies
During the opening plenary session of the 9th INB meeting on March 18, 2024, Dr. Papa Seck, President of the General Assembly, delivered a statement on behalf of PREZODE. He underlined the need to understand the characteristics of emerging pathogens as well as the factors driving their increasing rate of emergence. Addressing upstream emergence and integrating proactive prevention along with preparedness strategies are an imperative requirement.
“This session is crucial, and we hope that the negotiations will lead to an agreement on a progressive text regarding the prevention, preparedness, and response to pandemics. We are concerned about the step backwards that has been made on the One-Health approach since the last INB session in March.
I would like to highlight PREZODE’s main priorities. Firstly, we call for strengthening the primary prevention approach in the text, as we believe that prevention at the source is crucial to reducing the risks of zoonotic spillover and spillback.
Secondly, we call for the need to strengthen surveillance coordination across sectors to ensure we can detect any potential outbreaks early and take the necessary steps to prevent them from spreading further.
Thirdly, we call for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to be adopted in the text. Communities must be supported, informed, and engaged not just in early detection and surveillance but also in meaningful prevention plans.
In conclusion, we urge all Member States to redouble their efforts to agree on a unifying and impactful text. PREZODE is keen to provide support and expertise to the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the One Health approach for pandemic prevention.”