About the topic

With the economic crisis still fresh in our memories, a new crisis has emerged in the form of the coronavirus pandemic. This current crisis has taught us that much of Europe was insufficiently prepared. At the same time, we know that COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic or indeed crisis that will emerge.

The statement, published in June 2020, provides guidance for the provision of scientific advice in pandemic situations, in particular during the current COVID-19 crisis, characterised by complexity and uncertainty. Advice on better management of and preparedness for pandemics was published in November 2020, and advice on the wider topic of crisis resilience will be published later in 2021.

Here, the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors work together with the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) and Peter Piot, special advisor to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the response to the coronavirus and COVID-19. They will be supported by SAPEA, the consortium of science academies in Europe.

Advice and related documents

• Joint Opinion – Improving Pandemic Preparedness and Management (November 2020)
• Executive Summary – Improving Pandemic Preparedness and Management (November 2020)
• One-page Summary – Improving Pandemic Preparedness and Management (November 2020)
• News Alert – Coronavirus: Advisors provide joint opinion on pandemic preparedness and management (November 2020)
• Joint statement on scientific advice to European policy makers during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020)
• News (June 2020) - Joint statement on scientific advice to European policy makers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic