On 30 June 2022, the World Bank’s Boards of Directors approved the establishment of a new Financial Intermediary Fund to mobilize new investments that strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a strong focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Such a decision — supported by multiple countries and experts — is a crucial step towards a future where pandemics no longer represent a global existential threat.

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On 3 February, the Pandemic Fund announced the first round of funding to help countries build resilience to future pandemics. The Pandemic Fund Governing Board approved $300 million in financing for its first round of funding to help developing countries better prepare for and respond to future pandemics. The Fund is also inviting interested eligible countries and Implementing Entities to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for potential projects to be supported by this initial funding.

The Pandemic Fund’s Board and Secretariat are working to finalize the first call for proposals — expected in early March. But first, countries are invited to submit expressions of interest to kickstart the process, identify priorities and results, and develop funding proposals. Look at the Pandemic Fund website for details.
Technical Advisory Panel
Additionally, the Fund’s Secretariat published the list of twenty experts selected to join Chair Mike Ryan and Vice-Chair Joy St. John on the Fund’s  Technical Advisory Panel (TAP). The Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) provides technical advice to the Pandemic Fund`s Governing Board. The TAP supports the Pandemic Fund with its goal of financing projects and activities that help strengthen capacity building and implementation of pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) under IHR (2005) and other internationally endorsed legal frameworks, consistent with a One Health approach. The key functions of TAP are to:

• Ensure that the Governing Board is kept apprised of the latest knowledge and developments related to PPR, including the status of PPR capacity at country, regional and global levels, emerging lessons and priorities, and significant developments in the areas of broader PPR governance and oversight.
• Advise the Governing Board on funding priorities and critical gaps in pandemic PPR, as well as on funding allocation decisions, by providing analysis and evidence-based recommendations, based on an evaluation of individual funding proposals submitted to The Pandemic Fund through the Call for Proposals process.

The TAP comprises of a core group of 21 multidisciplinary experts and is chaired by Mike Ryan, Executive Director, WHO. Joy St. John of the Caribbean Public Health Agency serves as Vice-Chair. TAP members bringing a diverse range of technical and financial expertise relevant to the Pandemic Fund-supported projects and activities. The experts reflect the Pandemic Fund's commitment to achieving an adequate mix of technical expertise, geographical representation, and gender balance. TAP Leadership and TAP members are subject to the Pandemic Fund’s Conflict of Interest Framework and policies as set forth in the Operations Manual. TAP experts were selected through a competitive process and serve for a period of 2 years and are eligible for reappointment for a maximum of two consecutive terms. For further details, please see the Terms of Reference for the TAP.