Leveraging the potential of genomic sequencing

Genomic sequencing is a ground-breaking technology that can bring countless benefits to public health, agriculture, the environment, and more. The use of pathogen genomics proved decisive during the Covid pandemic, enabling early viral identification, design of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics, and tracking of variants of concern. Efforts to make this versatile technology accessible globally must be sustained to prepare for future threats. Existing scientific centers of excellence in both Global South and Global North are paving the way to using this technology for specific needs such as disease surveillance. However, international cooperation to enable a wide, sustainable distribution and broader implementation of this technology has yet to emerge. Governance questions related to strengthening genomic capacity and implementation are just beginning to be considered by states, regional & global institutions, including on data sharing, economic opportunities, and bioethics. Building on successful examples, this session will bring together scientists, private sector, government, and multilateral actors to explore conditions for the responsible development and sustainability of genomics.