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NTI | bio is publishing a working paper on its proposed Joint Assessment Mechanism (JAM), a tool for discerning the source of high-consequence biological outbreaks of unknown origin. The ability to rapidly assess the source of emerging pandemics is critical to mitigating their effects in real time and to protecting against future risks. The new paper marks the first time that many details about the structure and function of the JAM are being made publicly available.
The white paper, which reflects several rounds of consultations with an international group of technical and policy experts, diplomats, and other key stakeholders in the field of pandemic preparedness, provides an in-depth argument for establishing the JAM to fill the critical gap among existing UN mechanisms and entities. The paper suggests that the JAM should be based within the Office of the UN Secretary General—serving as an interface between the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism, and other key stakeholders—where it can provide an ongoing baseline assessment of current biological risks.
“The JAM can provide the international community with a much more robust capability to discern the source of biological events with uncertain origins—which will be important for strengthening global security,” said NTI | bio Vice President Jaime Yassif. “We’re excited to share our vision for the JAM through this white paper, and we look forward to working with international partners to help make this vision a reality.”
When activated during a public health emergency, the JAM would deploy additional resources to carry out its assessment function. Given the interconnectivity between the JAM, WHO, and the Secretary General’s Office, the white paper recommends the appointment of a WHO Liaison Officer, who would be an employee of WHO placed within the JAM to support the sharing of information and resources.
The JAM would require a range of scientific and technical capabilities, including data collection and analysis. As highlighted in the white paper, NTI | bio is conducting additional research on the types of resources available, both currently and in development, that the JAM could use to develop these capabilities.
For more information about the JAM, visit the project page here.
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NTI | bio convened two working groups of international biosecurity experts to discuss policy and institutional considerations, and technical operations for the Joint Assessment Mechanism (JAM) to identify the source of high-consequence biological outbreaks of unknown origin.
A new digital report and companion summary detail the findings and recommendations developed from a tabletop exercise held by NTI | bio and the Munich Security Conference.
The authors write about effective strategies for preventing biological events that could rise to the level of a global catastrophe by disincentivizing states from bioweapons development and use.
