Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 4
4
The pandemic has highlighted the critical role of international collaboration for managing the risks that...
Recommendation
The pandemic has highlighted the critical role of international collaboration for managing the risks that the UK faces. Given the increasingly interconnected nature of our world, several of the main risks facing the UK may originate abroad and, if they materialise, will require a coordinated international response. To detect them and respond to them effectively, government needs to strengthen the exchange of information with other countries, cooperate on horizon scanning and the early detection of threats, and learn from the experiences of other countries. It will also need to foster international debate on medium and long-term existential risks to humanity, which can only be addressed through concerted global action. Promoting greater international collaboration will require the UK to play a more prominent role in international forums, such as the World Health Organisation. Recommendation: Government should set out how it intends to drive greater international collaboration on risks, including exchanging information on threats, promoting and integrating mutual learning and coordinating responses across borders.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The government is working to build on the UK’s existing international collaborations including strong bilateral and multilateral relationships, to drive greater and broader collaboration on the global stage. The UK plays an active role in multilateral fora (such as G7/G20, WHO, NATO and the UN) that exchange best practice and mutual learning on risk, and with bilateral partners. During the UK’s 2021 G7 Presidency, the government secured commitments on critical global health risks and is now working closely with the German 2022 G7 Presidency including on Goal 3: enhanced preparedness for healthy lives. The government continues to support the Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI), an informal international partnership founded in 2001 to strengthen public health preparedness for a range of risks including CBRN threats. 4.3. The UK plays a global leadership role on health security and is engaging with the WHO on critical issues to support cross-border coordination, including a proposed instrument on pandemic preparedness. UKHSA provides expert input to WHO on public health and strengthening global health security architecture, including through the International Pathogen Surveillance Network. The government funds the One Health Intelligence Scoping Study, to help strengthen existing surveillance systems and harmonise information systems amongst international organisations. 4.4 The government continues to promote rapid intelligence sharing across the broadest possible range of partners, building on existing agreements such as the health security arrangements agreed as part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which support effective UK-EU information sharing in the event of a serious cross-border threat to health.