Global Preparedness Monitoring Board Convenes for First Meeting

The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB), a new body set up in May 2018 to monitor the world’s readiness to respond to outbreaks and other health emergencies, held its first ever meeting on September 10 at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. At the meeting, the GPMB discussed key issues in global preparedness and confirmed its terms of reference and governance structure.

A joint venture of the WHO and the World Bank Group, the GPMB is chaired by Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former WHO Director-General and Mr. Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Among the board members are some of the world’s most prominent global health leaders.

“Despite all the progress we have made, the world remains vulnerable,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board brings together deep experience and expertise to help keep the world safe.” 

The GMPB aims to publish its first report on the global state of preparedness in September 2019. To learn more about the GMPB and WHO’s recent efforts in improving global preparedness, click here.