Pandemic Action Network applauds the inclusion of the U.S. Global Health Security and International Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Act of 2022 in the final 2022 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. Congress. Together with many of our U.S. partners, Pandemic Action Network has engaged with champions in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate over the past several years on this bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. leadership to make sure the world heeds the lessons of COVID-19 and is better prepared for future pandemic threats.
Pandemic Action Network Co-Founder Carolyn Reynolds said: “Nearly three years into the COVID-19 crisis, at last Congress has taken a significant step forward to prioritize and advance international pandemic preparedness. Senators Risch and Menendez, and Representatives Connolly, Chabot, McCaul, and Meeks have shown determined leadership to reach bipartisan, bicameral agreement on this important and timely bill, recognizing that bolstering pandemic preparedness in partner countries will save millions of lives and is vital to U.S. national security and economic prosperity. We urge Congress to follow-up without delay on this landmark authorizing legislation and appropriate additional funding for international efforts to combat the continuing threats of COVID-19, Ebola, and mpox; significantly increase and sustain an annual U.S. contribution to the new Pandemic Fund; and support the other activities in the bill to accelerate global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The next — and very likely deadlier — pandemic could occur anywhere, at any time, and spread quickly around the globe, so there’s no time to waste.”
The Global Health Security and International Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Act delineates and strengthens leadership and coordination for international pandemic preparedness within the U.S. government, and asserts global health security as a U.S. foreign policy priority. The legislation establishes a U.S. Coordinator for Global Health Security at the National Security Council as well as an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Health Security and Diplomacy at the Department of State, appointed by the President and with Senate consent. It also authorizes an additional US$5 billion to be appropriated over the next 5 years for U.S. participation and investment in the new Pandemic Fund and other global health security and pandemic preparedness activities.
