Figure 2.

Framework of reform proposals

(A) Outbreak response involves several overlapping systems, including the humanitarian system, the UN System, and the biomedical and research development system. The scope of the proposed Accountability Commission would include all of these. Examples of organisations within each system are shown. ILO=International Labour Organisation. OIE=World Organisation for Animal Health. FAO=Food and Agriculture Organisation. OCHA=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. WFP=World Food Programme. LNGOs=local non-governmental organisations. CBO=community-based organisations. INGOs=international non-governmental organisations. (B) Taking a closer look within the WHO, several changes are proposed. The proposed Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response would sit within WHO, coordinating the many actors involved in global outbreak response and sharing and receiving information with those actors. The Centre's governing Board is to be comprised of member states and non-state actors. The creation of a Standing Emergency Committee would replace the current ad hoc International Health Regulation Emergency Committee. The Standing Emergency Committee will meet and receive information from the Emergency Centre regularly, with the mandate to declare a public health emergency of international concern by a majority vote of its members. The Director-General would chair this committee. A permanent Inspector General's office is proposed, along with other good governance reforms (not depicted in the figure) such as a freedom of information policy.