“A world on the edge” as preparedness hopes waver

A year ago, we expressed cautious hope at the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement during the 78th World Health Assembly, with the caveat that strengthening local health systems, international cooperation, and establishing sustainable financing mechanisms would be indispensable for the success of any pandemic preparedness plan. Although we maintain the importance of having reached this Agreement, and of the commitment made at the 79th World Health Assembly (May 18–23, 2026) to continue negotiating its Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex, the 2026 report of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB)—ominously titled A world on the edge—is disheartening, if somewhat unsurprising.