Protecting the vulnerable is protecting ourselves: Norway and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation

Abstract

Norway has played a critical role in the recent launch of the new Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, revealing Norway's powerful position in global health. But how will Norway help put the coalition's governance principles - political legitimacy, representation and accountability - into practice? And how will a more security-based approach impact Norwegian global health policy and research? On January 19, 2017, a new Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation entered the global health architecture. Launched at the World Economic Forum by Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and Bill Gates, the coalition aims to finance the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases. In the coalition's own words, its objective is nothing short of "outsmarting epidemics" and giving the world "an insurance against epidemics" (1). The coalition is designed as a public-private partnership with representation from governments, philanthropies, nongovernmental organisations, pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, regulatory bodies and multilateral organisations (box 1). Although branded as a global initiative, it is very much "made in Norway," with its creation highlighting Norway's financial and agenda-setting power as a major global health actor.