Presentation

SARS-Cov-2 virus has so far killed more than 5 million people worldwide and caused major economic and social damages which total burden is still to be accounted for. In the past 20 years, in response to the threat of emerging pathogen with a pandemic potential, countries have been focusing on pandemic preparedness plans and pathogen screening. It is now clear that such plans are not sufficient and prevention strategies should be implemented to prevent pathogen emergence and circulation within human populations.

It is time to take a step forward—namely, by jointly deploying academic research, intersectoral collaboration in the field, and engagement of operational actors on the frontline of epidemics—to envision prevention strategies that lead to the reduction of risks of emergence. Such paradigm shift is at the heart of PREZODE initiative which was launched at the One Planet Summit in January 2021 by France, supported by the International Organization of the Tripartite + and the European Commission. After one year of co-construction in 10 regions of the world, the initiative is supported by more than 90 research and operational institutions worldwide, endorsed by 7 countries so far and co-designed by more than 1000 contributors from 150 countries.

The objectives of the session is to present the scientific postulates and vision promoted by PREZODE and to brainstorm all together –animal, environment, human health sectors but also operational, academics, decision makers and stakeholders… – on how to improve inter-sectorial but also international collaborations to prevent and early detect emerging risks.