The world is facing growing risks of even worse pandemics, yet leaders have not learned the lessons from COVID-19 and other recent pandemics. Experts warn that nations are not working effectively together to manage the risks of invisible pathogens.
The Doomsday Clock’s hands were recently moved forward to 89 seconds to midnight, signifying that we are at the closest point to destroying our world since its creation in 1947. This decision reflects both the severity of existential threats facing humanity and the weakness of political leadership on the global stage.
Pandemics are one of several existential threats, including climate change, habitat loss, and unregulated artificial intelligence. Leaders must work together to find common solutions based on science, analysis, and long-term thinking about how to keep our planet safe for everyone.
However, leaders have failed to act with sufficient urgency and ambition in the face of current and future threats. The WHO plays a vital role in containing global pandemics, but President Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the organization is alarming.
Experts argue that international cooperation is essential to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. A cycle of panic and neglect has historically characterized the politics of pandemics, and we are now back in the neglect phase.
The Elders have commissioned a global public opinion survey, which found people see the pandemic threat as a lower risk than other existential threats. However, most pandemic scientists think otherwise. Nations must work effectively together to manage the risks of invisible pathogens that spread around the world freely.
The world needs to increase support for the WHO and critical global health institutions, including the Pandemic Fund and PEPFAR. This requires global public investment in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing, as well as increased cooperation on pandemic finance.
Inaction will have dramatically higher costs, while collective action is essential to preventing and preparing for pandemics. Leaders must prioritize the needs of all parts of society, consider international attention and global leadership, and adopt a whole-of-society approach to address this critical global threat.
Source: https://thebulletin.org/2025/01/countries-are-neglecting-the-existential-threat-of-pandemics-bold-leadership-is-necessary