As we bid farewell to 2024, it is a fitting time to reflect on a year of progress and collaboration while envisioning the exciting possibilities that lie ahead for GloPID-R. The year was marked by numerous milestones and achievements that will shape the organisation’s future.
One of the most pivotal moments was the recent General Assembly, held on December 3–4, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, and hosted by the World Health Organization. This gathering provided GloPID-R members and the board with the opportunity to reassess and refine our strategic plan, aligning it with a more focused and unified vision for the future.
A key outcome of the assembly was the launch of the Global Research Improving Pandemic Preparedness (GRIPP) funding mechanism. This initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among international research funders, enabling better coordination and response to global health emergencies. The first call for GRIPP funding is anticipated in early 2025.
Another remarkable achievement was the launch of Pandemic PACT—the Pandemic Preparedness Analytical Capacity and Funding Tracking Programme. Led by the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford, this cutting-edge program tracks and analyses global research funding and evidence. Pandemic PACT has also introduced an outbreak research data tracker, providing real-time insights into new and re-emerging outbreaks.
The year also brought significant advancements from GloPID-R’s Africa Hub, which successfully engaged regional stakeholders and held a strategic meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 6–7, 2024. These efforts have laid the groundwork for further regional collaboration and development.
Our Data Sharing Working Group continued its essential work throughout the year, hosting a series of roundtables from May to September to enhance data sharing practices among members during public health emergencies.
At the Secretariat level, we welcomed a dynamic team to lead us into the future. Margit Baring assumed the role of Managing Director, joined by Maheen Ghani as Media Manager, Noopur Bhardwaj as Communications and Engagement Manager, and Julie Cronjaeger as Scientific Program Manager in Berlin. Their knowledge and fresh ideas have begun to shape our direction in impactful ways.
As you prepare for the year-end break, I invite you to explore these accomplishments in greater detail. My heartfelt thanks to all our members, observers, and partners for their invaluable contributions. I wish you a joyful and healthy holiday season.
Warm regards,
Mongezi Mdhluli
GloPID-R Chair
2024 key figures
- 35 members
- 8 observers
2024 key events
- General Assembly – December 3-4, 2024 Geneva, Switzerland
- Board Meeting – July 3-4, 2024 London, United Kingdom
- Members Meeting – May 2, 2024 Online
- Members Meeting – November 7, 2024 Online
- Africa Hub Stakeholders Meeting – May 6-7, 2024 Cape Town, South Africa
2024 key projects
GRIPP Mechanism Launch
GloPID-R also launched a new funding mechanism ‘Global Research Improving Pandemic Preparedness (GRIPP)’ at its General Assembly this year. The aim of the GRIPP initiative will be to improve collaboration between international research funders around the world, improving our research responses to future outbreaks, epidemics and wider health emergencies.
Through the GRIPP funding mechanism GloPID-R members will be able to work together to strengthen existing research investments and direct funding into new research activities to address shared priorities.
Pandemic PACT Launch and Outbreak Pages
Pandemic PACT, the Pandemic Preparedness Analytical Capacity and Funding Tracking Programm was officially launched in March this year and is led by the Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) at the University of Oxford. This cutting-edge programme tracks and analyses global research funding and evidence.
Since its launch, the Pandemic PACT, in response to new and re-emerging outbreaks, has also developed a real-time tracking and analysis of outbreak research data by collating existing data from their database and intensifying their collection efforts.
Data Sharing Working Group
Throughout the year, GloPID-R’s Data Sharing Working Group has made significant strides in supporting research responses during public health emergencies by advancing data sharing systems. Notably, with support from the Research and Policy Team, the group organised a series of three roundtables between May and September. These discussions focused on enhancing implementation tools to strengthen data sharing practices across the membership, driving greater collaboration and efficiency in emergency response efforts.
Africa Hub
Since its launch in August 2023, GloPID-R’s Africa Hub has focused on fostering meaningful engagement with regional stakeholders. A key milestone this year was a strategic meeting hosted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) in Cape Town in May, where participants outlined plans for the hub’s development. As 2024 draws to a close, the Africa Hub is poised to build on this foundation, advancing its mission and strengthening collaboration in the region for the year ahead.
GloPID-R’s participation at international events
WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence – November 28, 2024
GloPID-R Research and Policy Team Head Dr Alice Norton is a key note speaker at the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence’s Speaker Series Session, “Protecting the World: Moving Rapidly Together”
World Health Summit – October 13-15, 2024
GloPID-R PI Professor Dr Christian Drosten and Board Member Hervé Raoul spoke at the Pandemic Preparedness session at the World Health Summit
Global One Health Symposium – April 23-25, 2024
GloPID-R took part in the Global One Health International Symposium
GloPID-R Research & Policy Team Publications
6th September, 2024
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in the United States
August 30th, 2024
March 30th, 2024
Improving coherence of global research funding: Pandemic PACT
March 21st, 2024
Staff and organizational changes to the GloPID-R secretariat
This year brought exciting developments at the Secretariat level, marked by the arrival of several talented individuals. Margit Baring stepped into the role of Managing Director, bringing strong leadership to the team. A new Communications team was also established, with Maheen Ghani joining as Media Manager and Noopur Bhardwaj as Communications and Engagement Manager. Additionally, Julie Cronjaeger was appointed as Scientific Program Manager in Berlin. Together, this dynamic team is poised to introduce fresh ideas and drive innovative changes that will strengthen GloPID-R’s mission and impact.