Independent Panel for Pandemic Response Preparedness Report, Executive Summary, Press Conference and Supporting Documents

(Click here to view original article.)

Main Report


Since September 2020, the Independent Panel has systematically, rigorously and comprehensively examined why COVID-19 became a global health and socio-economic crisis. 
In May 2021, the Independent Panel presented its findings and recommendations for action to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure that any future infectious disease outbreak does not become another catastrophic pandemic.


1. The main report presents the Panel’s findings and recommendations.
COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic – PDF, 5.1 MB


2. Summary of the main report 
COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic Summary – PDF, 1.1 MB


3. The companion evidence-based narrative describes 13 defining moments which have shaped the course of the pandemic. 
How an Outbreak Became a Pandemic: The defining moments of the COVID-19 pandemic – PDF, 6.8 MB

4. Background documents represent the Panel’s in-depth research including an authoritative chronology of the early response. Additional background papers will be posted in the month of May 2021.
Background Paper 1: Building on the past – PDF, 952 KB
Background Paper 2a: The authoritative chronology – PDF, 19.9 MB
Background Paper 3: From science to policy – PDF, 1.8 MB
Background Paper 6: Scaling up vaccination, legal aspects – PDF, 609 KB
Background Paper 7: Access to essential supplies – PDF, 1.3 MB
Background Paper 8: Impact on essential health – PDF, 1.1 MB
Background Paper 9: Social impact – PDF, 1.5 MB
Background Paper 11: Human rights – PDF, 940 KB
Background Paper 13: Economic impact – PDF, 1.4 MB
Background Paper 14: Financing Pandemic Preparedness and Response – PDF, 1.6 MB
Background Paper 15: WHO institutional review – PDF, 1.6 MB
Background Paper 16: International treaties – PDF, 1 MB

Co-chairs’ Presentation of Findings and Recommendations
Co-Chairs the Rt Hon. Helen Clark and HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf present the Panel’s findings and recommendations which are published in the Main Report, COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic

Main Report Launch: Press Conference

Press conference following the launch of the Independent Panel’s Main Report, COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic