Looking back at the COVID-19 crisis, the prospect of any pandemic outbreak arising in the future poses an obvious major and immediate threat to human life across the planet. How can a disease outbreak caused by either known or emerging novel pathogens be better detected and controlled next time? According to a comprehensive study published in Lancet, taking stock of pandemic management in 177 countries, the more trust and the less corruption there was, the lower the infection rate. These factors were also associated with higher COVID-19 vaccine coverage among middle-income and high-income countries where there was greater vaccine availability. The researchers note that if all countries had societies that attained at least the amount of trust measured in Denmark, which is in the 75th percentile across these spectrums, global infections could have been reduced by nearly 13% when looking at government trust and 40.3% for interpersonal trust. Also the matter of innovation and access deserves more attention in relation to future pandemics, in order to streamline both innovation and access / affordability efforts, drawing upon insights from previous pandemic. The public health risk posed by epidemics and pandemics thus gives rise to a critical and ongoing necessity to systematically assess global preparedness. Looking at advise from a joint European expert group, their advise elevated efforts to prevent and pre-empt future pandemics; more coordinated response structures and mechanisms; the strengthening of essential systems, including healthcare, supply chains, public health, information and education; and protecting fundamental rights and social justice. The matter of pandemic preparedness was thus discussed from various perspectives during the webinar, bringing together both Academia and industry representatives. Agenda 14:00 - 14:10 Timo Minssen Important pandemic lessons and future challenges 14:10 - 14:30 Ana Santos Rutschman Technology Specificity for Pandemic Preparedness 14:30 - 14:50 James Anderson Building Better Preparedness for Future Pandemics 14:50 - 15:10 Kshitij Kumar Singh Pandemic preparedness needs a holistic approach 15:10 - 15:30 Q&A, Debate