At the 61st Munich Security Conference, emerging leaders from the Global South released a Biosecurity Declaration, titled “Taking Biological Threats Off the Table Through Next-Generation Global South Leadership.” Edyth Parker, a fellow at IBBIS through the Brown Pandemic Center’s Biosecurity Game Changers fellowship, and Yorgo El-Moubayed, a technical consultant contributing to the Common Mechanism, were among the declaration’s authors.

This declaration highlights a collective commitment to accelerating biosecurity efforts and advancing the 100 Days Mission (100DM), which aims to develop medical countermeasures within 100 days of a newly identified biological threat, regardless of its origin. This initiative is critical for global health security as it seeks to minimize the spread and impact of pathogens, enhancing the resilience of nations and economies. While emerging technologies offer significant potential for rapid responses, the declaration underscores the need for responsible governance to mitigate the risks associated with these innovations. Most notably, the declaration calls for initiatives that ensure that the Global South not only benefits from these innovations but also takes leadership roles in shaping global biosecurity policy.

The declaration was introduced during the “Mission Possible! Fast-tracking Biosecurity and the 100 Days Mission” roundtable, co-hosted by CEPI, the Brown University Pandemic Center, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) on February 15, 2025. Edyth Parker represented IBBIS at the event.

The declaration is founded on three core principles: strengthening biosecurity oversight, sustaining equitable pandemic preparedness, and building a network of next-generation leaders in the Global South.

The declaration calls for:

• Embedding biosecurity investments as a central element of global health security funding, advocating for dedicated biosafety and biosecurity funding streams within major international bodies, such as CEPI, WHO, the Pandemic Fund, and GAVI, as well as regional and local organizations.
• Reducing risks from emerging technologies by integrating protective measures during the design and development phases.
• Supporting initiatives that promote, finance, and implement performance-based standards, like ISO 35001:2019, to enhance biosafety and biosecurity practices worldwide, ensuring that Global South institutions have the necessary resources, facilities, and training to meet internationally recognized standards.
• Promoting fellowships and leadership programs to elevate Global South talent in high-level decision-making roles within organizations leading the 100 Days Mission goals and execution.
• Institutionalizing dedicated sessions at global forums, such as future MSC events, to engage emerging leaders in biosecurity and pandemic preparedness decision-making.
• Encouraging peer-to-peer collaboration led by the Global South among the next-generation leaders by creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, joint projects, and cross-sector partnerships.

This declaration marks a significant step in ensuring that the Global South plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of biosecurity. To endorse the declaration and learn more, visit: https://mscbiosecuritydeclaration.org/.

Photo credit: Mary Goldau.