Boris Johnson and world leaders call for post-Covid pandemic treaty: Our response

Credit: Dominic Chavez/World Bank

In response to today’s [30th March, 2021] call by world leaders for a new global pandemic treaty, Daniel Clarke, Director for the Centre for Disaster Protection says:

“The call for a global pandemic treaty is to be applauded, but it must also look beyond health risks and pandemics.  Climate change, population shifts, and conflict are all on the rise.  These have devastating impacts of their own but also make tackling pandemics even harder. 

“As a first step in the treaty discussions, the upcoming G7 should agree a new Crisis Lookout function to scan all the greatest risks to life and livelihoods, including pandemics, so countries everywhere can better align their funding and plans to the greatest risks that face their people. 

“And, crucially, they must ensure funding is in place before the next disaster strikes. Our latest research shows that just 2% of the funding used for covid-19 was in place and ready for release before the outbreak. This cannot be allowed to happen again.”