Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 13:30–14:30 (CEST)
Background
Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) requires sustained investment to build and maintain the capacities needed to detect, prevent and respond to health emergencies. While important progress has been made in mobilizing resources for preparedness, significant financing gaps remain, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Governments and partners are increasingly leveraging a range of financing mechanisms, including domestic resources, development financing, donor support and catalytic funding mechanisms such as the Pandemic Fund, to strengthen preparedness capacities.
As investments in preparedness continue to grow, attention is increasingly focused on how these resources are translated into tangible capacities and sustainable outcomes at country level. Understanding what works in implementation, what challenges countries face, and what evidence is emerging on impact is critical for informing future investments. This webinar will explore practical experiences from country and regional initiatives, highlighting lessons learned on translating investments into stronger preparedness systems and more resilient health security capacities.
Objectives
- Examine how preparedness investments are translated into tangible capacities and results at country and regional levels;
- Explore implementation challenges and lessons learned from preparedness initiatives supported through different financing mechanisms;
- Showcase practical examples of how investments are strengthening preparedness capacities, including the health emergency workforce; and
- Facilitate dialogue on how countries and partners can maximize the impact and sustainability of preparedness investments.
Agenda and Speakers
Introduction: Dr Supriya Bezbaruah, EPI-WIN Lead, EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO headquarters
Opening remarks: Dr Stella Chungong, Director, Health Emergency Preparedness Department, WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)
Regional Perspective: Translating multi-country investments into preparedness capacities:
Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire, Regional Emergency Director, WHO Regional Office for Africa (TBC)
Country Perspective: Turning investment into preparedness results: country representative (TBC)
Panel Discussion: Translating investments into preparedness capacities: what works and why?
Moderated by Ms Lina Yu, Technical Officer, Risk Analytics and Action Reviews, WHE
Panel:
Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Ms Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund, The World Bank
Other speakers to be confirmed
Q&A: Moderated by Ms Lina Yu, Technical Officer, Risk Analytics and Action Reviews, WHE
Closing: Moderated by EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
Registration