Statement from the Prime Minister supporting the third strategic cycle of CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)
Speech/statement | Date: 16/02/2026 | Office of the Prime Minister
By Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Message by video recording)
Covid-19 brought death, illness, social division and economic disruption on a massive scale – and the consequences were felt then and are felt years later.
This global crisis demonstrated that pandemic risk is real – and in fact increasing. It will be with us throughout this century.
It demonstrated too that pandemic prevention and mitigation requires both global cooperation and national preparedness. – Both of them.
CEPI was created to develop vaccines for diseases with limited market demand but enormous potential to save lives.
We – Norway – invest in CEPI because it makes Norway safer – and makes the world safer.
We are proud to host CEPI and will continue to support its evolution together with partners from all over the world.
We know – on global health – only collective action can reduce the threat and severity of future pandemic outbreaks.