Amid ongoing discussions on global health, leaders are focusing on pandemic preparedness as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) convenes. Member States continue negotiations on a global pandemic treaty, which remains signed but in limbo, highlighting unanswered questions about financing and equitable access to pathogens. Experts, including the WHO Director-General, have emphasized the need for robust laboratory systems and the importance of collaboration between regions, particularly between Africa and the Americas. In the face of lessons learned from past pandemics, discussions on improving response mechanisms and securing commitment from nations to prevent future outbreaks dominate the agenda, but many express concern that current progress may not be sufficient.