He told Moneycontrol, “We are not very well equipped to manage the next pandemic,” cautioning that despite the fact that dangers are still rising, the momentum surrounding pandemic preparedness has stalled.
Global Pandemic Preparedness Under Scrutiny
At the Davos summit, Shyam Bishen, Head of the Center for Health and Healthcare and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Executive Committee, stated that although supply-chain disruptions, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts are making disease outbreaks more likely, global health systems are still ill-equipped to stop them from developing into full-blown pandemics.
Bishen was giving a speech on the fringes of the 56th World Economic Forum annual conference in Davos-Klosters, which is set to take place from January 19 to 23. Approximately 3,000 leaders from over 130 nations will be there, including about 850 chief executives and 400 political leaders.
Davos 2026 And Rising Health Risks
Bishen claims that while global coordination to manage disease outbreaks is still disjointed, fundamental changes ranging from geopolitics to climate change are increasing their frequency.
There will be an increasing number of outbreaks due to the way climate change is occurring, how we live, and how geopolitics is producing numerous wars worldwide, he said. “How do we prevent them from developing into full-blown pandemics is the question.”
🌍 Key Drivers Of Future Pandemic Risk
- Climate Change: Expanding disease vectors
- Geopolitical Conflicts: Disrupted responses
- Supply Chains: Emergency bottlenecks
- Global Mobility: Faster disease spread
- Preparedness Gap: Slowed global momentum
Supply Chains And Emergency Response Challenges
According to him, disruptions to supply chains and trade during geopolitical conflicts make emergency responses even more difficult and raise the possibility that local outbreaks could turn into worldwide disasters.
The World Economic Forum is collaborating with organizations like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the World Health Organization to develop a worldwide disease surveillance system that can identify novel infections and their variations early.
Early Detection And Global Surveillance
Bishen stated, “We want to make sure that we are aware of new diseases and new variations as soon as they appear.” “It does not matter where you are in the globe.”
He continued, “Once hazards are recognized, artificial intelligence can play a crucial role in tracking, diagnosing, and analyzing outbreaks in real time, enabling faster public-health interventions.”
⚠️ Gaps In Global Health Readiness
- AI Use: Early detection & outbreak tracking
- Data Sharing: Still fragmented globally
- Vaccine Production: Highly concentrated
- Africa Supply: Only ~1% locally produced
- Risk: Local outbreaks turning global
Data Sharing And Medical Countermeasures
Bishen emphasized the significance of providing pathogen data to pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, saying that early detection alone is insufficient without quick data sharing.
He stated, “Once that data is available, we can make that data available to the business sector, to pharmaceutical and other healthcare organizations so that they can come up with medical countermeasures.”
However, the current geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions have hindered the development of interoperable global data systems.
Vaccine Manufacturing Imbalance
A significant weakness shown during the Covid-19 epidemic, according to Bishen, was the concentration of vaccine manufacturing capacity. North America, Europe, and some regions of Asia, such as China and India, continue to have a significant production bias. He stated, “Only approximately 1% of the vaccines used in Africa come from Africa.”
In order to correct this imbalance and lessen reliance on a small number of suppliers in the event of future crises, the World Economic Forum is collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to support regional vaccine manufacturing hubs throughout Africa, Latin America, and other regions of Asia.
Global Preparedness Still Falling Short
Although there are initiatives to improve data sharing, manufacturing capacity, and surveillance, Bishen warned that the world is still far from being sufficiently equipped.
Bishen said that failing to address systemic deficiencies might leave nations vulnerable when the next epidemic unavoidably occurs, as memories of COVID-19 fade and attention turns to economic and geopolitical issues.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why does the World Economic Forum think there is an increased chance of pandemics?
Shyam Bishen of WEF claims that supply-chain disruptions, shifting human lifestyles, geopolitical conflicts, and climate change are all contributing to an increase in the frequency of disease outbreaks and their potential to spread worldwide.
2. Has COVID-19 improved global preparedness for pandemics?
No. Bishen cautioned that health systems are still ill-prepared to stop future outbreaks from developing into full-scale pandemics, and that the global momentum on pandemic preparedness has halted.
3. What are the most significant gaps in the world’s pandemic readiness?
Weak global disease surveillance, sluggish data sharing, disjointed international coordination, and an excessive concentration of vaccine production in a small number of areas are some of the major deficiencies.
4. What remedies is the WEF pursuing?
In order to enhance global disease surveillance, leverage AI for early detection, expedite data exchange, and support regional vaccine manufacturing hubs, particularly in Africa and Latin America, the WEF is working with organizations like the WHO and CEPI.
Conclusion
Shyam Bishen of WEF’s Davos 2026 warning draws attention to a crucial worldwide vulnerability: while outbreak risks are rising, preparedness is not keeping up. Future pandemics are more likely because to supply-chain fragility, climate change, and geopolitics, yet vaccine manufacturing, data sharing, and surveillance systems are still inadequate and inconsistent.
Bishen’s warning is quite clear: the world runs the risk of repeating the mistakes made during the Covid-19 pandemic if there is no increased international cooperation and quicker action.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or policy advice. Views expressed are based on public statements and reports and may change with new information.
