In the beginning of September, the Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, established by WHO, announced the names of the panelists. Michel Kazatchkine, Chairman of AFEW International’s supervisory board, was selected as one of the members.
What is the Independent Panel?
The mission of the Independent Panel is to provide an evidence-based path for the future, grounded in lessons of the present and the past to ensure countries and global institutions, including specifically WHO, effectively address health threats.
The Panel will lead an impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation of the international health response to COVID-19 coordinated by WHO, in accordance with the request in a resolution at the 73rd World Health Assembly.
The Panel members
The Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel reviewed more than 120 candidates from around the world with diverse backgrounds. A total of 13 members were selected by the Panel. The Panelists have a mix of skills and expertise in infectious disease, global and national health policy and financing, outbreaks and emergencies, economics, youth advocacy, and in the wellbeing of women and girls. They also share knowledge of the international system including of WHO, and experience from similar international processes. All panel members can be seen here.
We congratulate Michel with this membership! It is an extraordinary recognition of his work, experience and his position in the field of HIV. We are proud that being chair of AFEW International’s Supervisory Board, he guides our organization in the challenging times of COVID-19 and decrease in funding for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
