Programme

Session 2.1.3

Incentivising Data Sharing through Data Governance and Empowering Insights

Date: 13 Oct 2026 | Time: 1530 - 1550 | Venue: The NAK Auditorium, Academia 

Speaker: Dr Sandy Tze-Minn Mak

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how rapid global sharing of high-quality viral genome sequences was essential for effective public health action. Early data sharing made it possible to identify a new coronavirus, develop and validate diagnostic tools, and accelerate vaccine design and assessment. Subsequent global expansion of sequencing capacity improved the geographic representativeness of data, enhancing surveillance and enabling more effective detection, tracking, and risk assessment of emerging variants. 

Pathogen genomics is now widely regarded as transformative for pandemic preparedness and response. However, the landscape of genomic data sharing is becoming increasingly fragmented. While the pandemic triggered unprecedented openness, growing concerns about data ownership, equitable benefit-sharing, and competitive disadvantages have led to “data silos”. At the same time, significant inequalities in analytical capacity persist, limiting some countries’ ability to use the data they have generated. 

This presentation highlights GISAID’s approach to incentivizing rapid and responsible global data sharing. Through innovative data-sharing framework and analytical tools that translate complex genomic information into actionable knowledge, GISAID aims to ensure that fair access also results in equitable use, benefiting public health communities in countries across all income and capacity levels.

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