While it makes for uncomfortable reading, the world will eventually face the risk of another pandemic that's even worse than COVID-19. It's only a matter of time.

The question is whether we're prepared — and the decisions we take today and in the coming months will build a solid foundation on which we can monitor and respond to such risks.

COVID-19 has shown us that there are a lot of things beyond our control, but we do have agency today to shape the world we'll be when we face the next pandemic. As we build back better, we must not neglect the global risk of the inadequate implementation of a global agreement inked in Japan in 2010. The Nagoya Protocol unintentionally could become a major barrier to the international sharing of pathogen information required to quickly mobilize against infectious diseases with pandemic potential.