On May 5, 2021 Germany launched the new global Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence (commonly called the WHO Pandemic Hub), which opened in Berlin September 1, 2021.
Then on September 1, 2021 the WHO and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing on “long-term strategic cooperation and mutual support in the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence” As a founding stragegic partner they’re developing a joint work plan. [1, 2]
“The Berlin WHO Hub is to be a global platform for pandemic and epidemic education that creates a shared and networked access to essential cross-sectoral data and promotes innovation in data analytics. The aim is to create a new basis for prediction, prevention and detection, as well as to prepare and respond to global health threats” [1]
With initial investment of US$100 million from the Federal Republic of Germany, and house out of the Charité’s Institute of Virology headed by Prof. Christian Drosten, “the WHO Hub is part of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme and will be a new collaboration of countries and partners worldwide.”
- May 20, 2023 the WHO Pandemic Hub launched the WHO International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) – as a global network to accelerate progress on the deployment of pathogen genomics (not just emergency) and improve public health decision-making.
- On October 13, 2023 IPSN held their first intenational forum with their global partners.