The Lancet Commission on lessons for the
future from the COVID-19 pandemic
Image created by Markel Olabarria for The Lancet COVID-19 Commission
The Lancet Commission on lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic
Read our final report here: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/covid19
The Lancet COVID-19 Commission was an interdisciplinary initiative encompassing the health sciences, business, finance, and public policy. The Lancet COVID-19 Commission’s final report was published on September 15, 2022. The final report included input from 11 Task Forces in areas ranging from vaccine development to humanitarian relief strategies, safe workplaces, and global economic recovery. The work of the Commission formally concluded on October 20, 2022.
The work of the Commission had four main themes:
Recommendations on how to best suppress the epidemic.
Addressing the humanitarian crises arising from the pandemic.
Addressing the financial and economic crises resulting from the pandemic.
Rebuilding an inclusive, fair, and sustainable world.
The work of the Commission was supported by twelve Task Forces, in areas ranging from vaccine development, to humanitarian relief strategies, to safe workplaces, to global economic recovery.
Statement by The Lancet COVID-19 Commission - June 22, 2021
The Lancet COVID-19 Commission will carefully scrutinize the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in advance of its final report, with the overriding aim of recommending policies to prevent and contain future emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The Commission’s technical work will be conducted by independent experts who were not themselves directly involved in US-China research activities that are under scrutiny. Dr. Peter Daszak has recused himself from the Commission’s work on the origins of the virus.
The Commission urges all scientists who were involved in the US-China research to explain fully and transparently the nature of their work. In the meantime, the Commission will tap global experts in biosafety and other fields to help assess the relevant hypotheses on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, and to recommend ways to prevent and contain future outbreaks, whether from naturally occurring zoonotic events or research-related activities.
Contact: covid19commission@unsdsn.org
The Commission is publishing two kinds of reports:
Published in peer-reviewed journals:
The following reviews and commentaries have been published in peer-reviewed journals by the Commission or the Task Forces. These publications represent interim statements and findings designed to inform policy as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. The Commission will submit a final, peer-reviewed report for publication in The Lancet.
Self-published reports from the Commission and Task Forces:
The following reports have been posted online by the Commission secretariat, and have not been peer-reviewed or published in The Lancet, nor in any other journal. These reports intend to bring together expert views on key topics as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds.
Our Partners:
Founded in 1823, the Lancet family of world-class journals is committed to improving lives through medical research. With offices in London, New York, and Beijing, The Lancet publishes a weekly journal and monthly specialty journals in the fields of child & adolescent health, diabetes & endocrinology, digital health, gastroenterology & hepatology, global health, haematology, healthy longevity, HIV, infectious diseases, microbiology, neurology, oncology, planetary health, psychiatry, public health, respiratory medicine, and rheumatology.
The Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) mobilizes the scientific expertise of the Earth Institute to create solutions for the challenges of sustainable development. We advise governments, companies, and implementing partners around the world on sustainable development policy and best practices. CSD combines cutting edge research, technology, and best practices to translate the Sustainable Development Goals into meaningful policies and solutions.
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) was set up in 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
The Lancet COVID-19 Commission is grateful for the generous support of its founding donors:
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation to enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We work to promote the well-being of humanity and make opportunity universal. Our focus is on scaling renewable energy for all, stimulating economic mobility, and ensuring equitable access to healthy and nutritious food. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @RockefellerFdn.
The Nizami Ganjavi International Center is a cultural, non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to the memory of great Azerbaijani poet, Nizami Ganjavi and to the study and dissemination of his works with a mission to build a dialogue and understanding between cultures and peoples for building functional and inclusive societies. Their mission is to promote learning, tolerance, dialogue, and understanding in a world that in many ways today is truly without barriers and with unprecedented access to knowledge and quick information.