The BE READY - BE READY PLUS conference, held in Brussels on April 8th and 9th, combined the conclusion of BE READY and the beginning of BE READY PLUS. It aimed to present the future European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness objectives and activities to Member States, Associated countries and Research funders, and to engage with EU and international stakeholders to strengthen the EU’s preparedness and response capacity in case of a health emergency. Key stakeholders such as EU institutions, national authorities, project partners, research organisations, as well as global health initiatives and clinical trial networks came together to shape a significant milestone in Europe’s readiness for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
The event a marked a significant step forward in the development of the future European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness, a long-term, inclusive research and innovation ecosystem that will form the backbone of the EU’s health security strategy.
Key discussions focused on:
• The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), in order to fine-tune priorities for pandemic preparedness research and foster alignment of funding and policy strategies among national and EU-level actors
• The Articulation between the future European Pandemic Preparedness Partnership and key European institutional stakeholders such as the European Commission, Directorate general for Research and Innovation, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and global funders
• The integration of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Public Health as fundamental components of pandemic preparedness
• The need for multi-country clinical trial frameworks that ensure stability between crises and rapid response during emergencies
• The continued evolution of BE READY deliverables, including the SRIA, into actionable pillars of the future Partnership
Over the two days, more than 140 participants from 30 different countries attended the event in person or online, highlighting the shared commitment to building a safer, more resilient Europe.
Read the press release here.