BERLIN, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization has announced a goal for nations to recognize and analyze emerging health risks within 24 hours by 2030. This objective is a central element of a new five-year plan for the organization’s Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. The strategy was unveiled during the World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin. Its focus is on earlier outbreak identification, enhanced surveillance, and quicker analysis of health data, covering the years from 2026 to 2030.
Founded in Berlin in 2021, the WHO Pandemic Hub was established in response to significant gaps in global disease monitoring revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The German government provided crucial initial support for this initiative. Since its inception, the Hub has collaborated with over 160 WHO Member States and around 190 partner organizations and networks. It facilitates cooperation among public health agencies, researchers, and technical specialists who share data, monitor pathogens, and work on improving epidemic detection systems. WHO manages the Hub through its broader Health Emergencies Programme.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the Hub has become an integral part of the global health security framework since its launch. The 2030 strategy outlines goals for surveillance, detection, analysis, and digital infrastructure development. It also emphasizes strengthening international cooperation among countries and scientific organizations. Plans include expanding tools that enable health authorities to evaluate emerging risks more efficiently. WHO asserts that the strategy builds upon lessons learned during the Hub’s first five years and establishes a shared benchmark for outbreak intelligence worldwide.
International networks enhance rapid outbreak detection
Five key initiatives will underpin the new strategy. Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources scans publicly available information for signals indicating potential health threats. This platform employs artificial intelligence to analyze large data volumes from open sources. According to WHO, more than 125 Member States and 30 regional and international organizations utilize this system. Its EIOS community comprises over 4,000 experts. The platform assists health authorities in discovering, reviewing, and evaluating information that may require urgent public health attention.
The International Pathogen Surveillance Network focuses on genomic sequencing and bioinformatics, now involving nearly 360 partners across over 110 countries. The Collaboratory connects more than 2,000 specialists in modeling and data science. Additionally, the Collaborative Surveillance Initiative supports efforts in over 83 countries through a One Health approach. WHO also plans to expand digital tools through a new initiative dedicated to secure data sharing and responsible artificial intelligence. These programs serve as the operational foundation of the 2026 to 2030 strategy.
Partnerships in Berlin to persist until 2031
Renewed cooperation agreements have been signed with the Robert Koch Institute and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, extending through 2031. These collaborations encompass public health surveillance, pathogen genomics, artificial intelligence, and data science. The organizations have been working with WHO since the early years of the Berlin-based Hub. Their partnership combines international health coordination with national expertise in research and public health. Support from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health has been instrumental in maintaining this broader collaboration. The renewed agreements ensure a continued Berlin-based network dedicated to research, analysis, and preparedness efforts.
WHO emphasizes that its 24-hour detection target will steer the Hub’s activities through the end of the decade. The organization aims for countries to swiftly identify threats and develop a clearer understanding of how new outbreaks unfold. The strategy also promotes the enhancement of digital systems and broader access to pathogen intelligence. WHO plans to keep connecting national authorities with scientists and international partners through existing networks. The 2030 plan prioritizes rapid detection, shared data, and practical public health analysis as core components of global epidemic readiness.