Good. Please, stand ready, Dr. Njoo.
First, let us acknowledge that this pandemic has been a global pandemic, and future pandemics will require global actions and reactions. Those will include a better flow of information at the global level on the nature of the viruses or whatever other sources of pathogens there may be, the epidemiology, and the possible treatments and diagnostics. This is all global science. In addition to being global science, it is also a set of global reactions that matter so much.
That's why, Marcus, I want to thank you for being at the centre of this exercise, trying to make it better for the world to collaborate and to exchange information in future pandemics, because we know there will be more. Climate change, the loss of forests, globalization and the movements of people are increasing the probability and the intensity of future pandemics.
The WHO's work and the treaty, which obviously requires significant international collaboration, are key in saving and protecting millions of lives. Estimates suggest that because countries were able to work together, more than 20 million lives were saved in the world, including hundreds of thousands here in Canada. Those are many people whose lives have been saved, or in larger numbers who have been protected, because of international collaboration and domestic actions.
When it comes to what more we need to do on the world stage, I'll turn to you, Dr. Njoo.