This session highlighted the ongoing challenges for global pandemic preparedness, emphasising that there are persisting gaps in capacity within and between countries. Although there were many success stories that emerged from COVID-19 experience (namely, vaccine development and exemplar public health responses in countries such as South Korea and Singapore), there is an urgent need for strengthened political leadership and global health instruments to ensure timely and equitable future responses. A pandemic framework agreement (or treaty) and revised International Health Regulations will go partway to facilitating greater transparency and effective coordination in disease control efforts.