UNAIDS welcomes the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) on 12 October 2026, a significant reaffirmation of global solidarity and multilateral cooperation in the face of growing health threats.

UNAIDS particularly welcomes the Declaration's emphasis on equity, cooperation and benefit-sharing. The lessons of AIDS, COVID-19 and Ebola are clear: health security depends not only on scientific innovation and strong health systems, but also on whether lifesaving technologies and services reach everyone who needs them, especially the communities most affected.

Governments must now urgently conclude an equitable agreement on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system. This is an essential next step in turning the commitments of the Declaration into action. Beyond PABS, UNAIDS calls for stronger commitments to technology sharing and investment in local and regional production of lifesaving health technologies. Building these capacities to fight today's pandemics is also essential to ensuring equitable access when the next pandemic strikes.

"The real test starts now. Action cannot wait for the next pandemic," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "We must invest in equity today if we want to be prepared for tomorrow."