PD 23 - GOARN 2020: Changing the Face of Outbreak Support

In April 2000, outbreak response partners - UN agencies, international and Non-Governmental Organizations, public health agencies, technical networks and academia - were brought together by WHO to set up the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). Based on experience in the field, partners recognized the need to strengthen operational and technical coordination, and rapid deployment of multidisciplinary multi-agency response teams to support local communities and health authorities.

Over the past 20 year, achievements have been made in responding to major outbreak; and major challenges has been identified. In addition, the global landscape of outbreak response has become more multisectoral, with new regulations, agencies and networks having also been established. The numbers of partners and stakeholders has increased dramatically and international coordination and funding has become more complex. In all of this, keeping the affected communities at the centre of the response, has not always been easy, or successful.

The COVID-19 pandemic has a devastating impact on health, and on society; and presents unprecedented challenges for countries, international coordination, and solidarity. GOARN partners and technical networks are heavily involved directly in domestic and international response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This panel debate will bring together representatives of GOARN partners and networks to reflect the highly interconnected multidisciplinary and operational nature of outbreak response.

Most importantly, the panel will discuss the major operational gaps and technical challenges that have been exposed by the pandemic; the steps needed now as our pandemic response evolves, and to accelerate national and global preparedness and rapid response for further emerging disease threats.

For GOARN, this panel will be part of a developing process of review and improvement in technical and operational areas of global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, and will help direct how GOARN will contribute to the COVID-19 pandemic response, and to future similar events.