Staff from across WHO convened in Geneva for three days to better understand the content and implementation of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework activities under the newly published High-Level Implementation Plan III (HLIP III) for 2024-2030.
As is often stated, an influenza pandemic is not a matter of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’. With the COVID-19 pandemic no longer a public health emergency, we are taking the lessons learned and the capacities gained to continue our efforts in preparing for the next influenza event. For the period 2024-2030, WHO, through the PIP Framework, will implement preparedness activities under the Partnership Contribution (PC) High-Level Implementation Plan III (HLIP III).
HLIP III was developed in collaboration with stakeholders and partners in 2022, and outlines the outcome, outputs and deliverables expected from the implementation of PC funds. Specifically, HLIP III focuses on strengthening pandemic influenza preparedness through a whole-of-society approach by building capacities in the four defined output areas of:
- Policy and plans
- Collaborative surveillance through GISRS
- Community protection, and
- Access to countermeasures
For each output there is a corresponding set of deliverables, which are achieved through implementation of activities. These activities will differ depending on the context and needs of each region and country.
To enable the most effective implementation of HLIP III and its activities, the Global Meeting on the PIP Framework Partnership Contribution High-Level Implementation Plan for 2024-2030 was held at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from 26-28 April 2023. This was the first time that all headquarters, regional and country office PIP team members have met face-to-face to discuss implementation of a High-Level Implementation Plan. The meeting proved to be an efficient way to present HLIP III, answer questions, share experiences, discuss challenges and opportunities, and view HLIP III through different lenses.
Participants were provided with in-depth presentations on the changes from HLIP II, the outputs and deliverables expected for the next stage of implementation under HLIP III, the specific requirements of PIP implementation, and the importance of project management. With this information, implementing teams from WHO are better able to help countries around the globe to effectively plan, implement, monitor, and report on activities that are in line with HLIP III and advance pandemic influenza preparedness in their specific context.
Teams are currently developing their workplans for the 2024-25 biennium using the knowledge gained during this meeting. Implementation of HLIP III will begin on 1 January 2024. For more information, HLIP III can be found here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240070141
A short brochure and translations along with a full M&E Framework will be available later this year.