Abstract
Global catastrophic biological risks (GCBRs), including pandemics and bioweapons, pose increasing threats due to technological advancements, global interconnectedness, and geopolitical instability. Despite shared concerns among health and security experts, these risks remain inadequately addressed. To bridge this gap, increased cross-sectoral dialogue is needed. Key priorities include increased and flexible funding for pandemic preparedness and response, encompassing both proactive capacity building and reactive measures. International coordination mechanisms, potentially under the UN Secretary General, are crucial for effective management of events exceeding existing organizational capacities. Additionally, mitigating biological risks associated with rapid technological advancements requires collaborative efforts between the scientific community, health, and security sectors. This involves assessing and mitigating risks throughout the research cycle, with investors and funders allocating resources towards risk identification. Increased engagement by international security and global health leaders is critical, including interventions at the Biological Weapons Convention, the Global Health Security Agenda, and the Munich Security Conference. – AI-generated abstract.
