Bio Leaders Gathered After Overcoming COVID-19: "Now Is the Starting Point for Preparing for the Next Pandemic"

Summary of Remarks by Key Figures at the 'World Bio Summit'

After overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, global bio leaders gathered in Korea unanimously agreed that now should be the starting point for preparing for the next pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) lifted the international public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in May after three years, allowing the world to return to normalcy. However, as pandemic cycles are accelerating, it is necessary to learn from COVID-19 and establish a new response system.

World Bio Summit
Image source=Yonhap News

At the 2nd “2023 World Bio Summit” held on the 20th at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul, over 200 participants including heads of international organizations, global company representatives, and health ministers from various countries gathered to discuss ways to strengthen capabilities for responding to the next pandemic. Hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and WHO, the World Bio Summit is an annual event where bio sector leaders provide advice on global health issues.

At the event, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong stated, “Although we have moved beyond the pandemic as of May this year, another infectious disease could emerge at any time and threaten human life.” He emphasized, “If we share and continue the experiences of responding to COVID-19 and international cooperation over the past three years, it will become an asset for humanity to overcome future challenges.” Minister Cho also added, “Our cooperation should evolve into a global network that includes not only governments and the public sector but also personnel, companies, and civil society.”

Jane Halton, Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Board, suggested, “To avoid experiencing another pandemic, innovation is needed across the health sector, including vaccines, therapeutics, manufacturing capacity, and regulatory systems.” She continued, “The risk of another pandemic is existential,” and noted, “Korea possesses infectious disease capabilities that can respond quickly, equitably, and effectively.” Derek Morissey, CEO of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in Ireland, said, “Now that the pandemic has been overcome, it is time for the world to strengthen manufacturing capacity,” adding, “To do this, we must cultivate bio talent and establish sustainable global supply chains.”

Fatima Yasmin, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), advised, “To prepare for future pandemics, countries need to enhance their regulatory capabilities.” She pointed out, “Regulatory capacity plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, but only 30% of regulatory authorities worldwide have pandemic preparedness regulatory capabilities.” ADB is cultivating bio talent together with Korea to build expertise in vaccine manufacturing and enhance regulatory capacity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Katherina Boehm, WHO Deputy Director-General, said, “Korea’s response to COVID-19 was among the best in the world, which is why many countries have learned from it,” and noted, “This is the reason why the first WHO Global Training Hub was established in Korea last year.” Deputy Director-General Boehm added, “Despite the rapid diagnosis and development of vaccines and therapeutics during the COVID-19 disaster, unequal access to these caused hardship in low- and middle-income countries. Addressing this inequality is a challenge for future pandemics.”

Jiyoung Mi, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized, “In Korea’s case, we will prepare to develop vaccines within 100 to 200 days during an infectious disease pandemic.” Plans are also underway to strengthen research and development (R&D) investment for technologies such as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which was the key driver of rapid vaccine development.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.