GISAID, a global initiative for sharing influenza data, was launched in 2008 following a 2006 letter signed by over 70 scientists advocating for the sharing of avian flu data. The initiative aimed to foster international sharing of influenza virus data and collaborative publication of results. It has since become an essential mechanism for sharing influenza genetic sequences and metadata, involving the influenza community, public health and animal health scientists, and governments worldwide. GISAID provides a trusted platform for rapid sharing of both published and unpublished influenza data, offering an alternative to conventional public-domain archives. The need for greater transparency in data sharing became evident in 2006 when the limited access to H5N1 sequence data stored in a US database restricted wider sharing. This led to the creation of GISAID, which established a data-sharing agreement (DAA) that allowed for emergency data sharing without infringing intellectual property rights. The DAA ensures data providers retain ownership, requires acknowledgment of sample contributors, and allows registered users to use data as long as they adhere to the DAA. The EpiFlu database, launched in 2008, played a key role in the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic response. In 2013, Chinese scientists released the genetic sequences of Influenza A(H7N9) viruses from the first human cases, demonstrating GISAID's effectiveness in timely data sharing. The database has been crucial in vaccine development and pandemic preparedness, and its use in generating candidate vaccine viruses within weeks highlighted its importance. GISAID supports the WHO Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework by facilitating global collaborations, such as the Global Consortium for H5N8 and Related Influenza Viruses. It also plays a critical role in monitoring the spread of influenza viruses and assessing risks to animal and human health. While traditional public-domain archives like GenBank are useful for storing published data, they have not been effective in encouraging rapid sharing during epidemics or pandemics. GISAID's success in influenza data sharing has provided important lessons for other emerging infectious threats. The initiative's ability to facilitate efficient global collaborations and its role in the One Health concept make it a key player in disease containment and public health preparedness. The establishment of GISAID relied on philanthropy, government support, and voluntary contributions, highlighting the importance of collaboration in global health.GISAID, a global initiative for sharing influenza data, was launched in 2008 following a 2006 letter signed by over 70 scientists advocating for the sharing of avian flu data. The initiative aimed to foster international sharing of influenza virus data and collaborative publication of results. It has since become an essential mechanism for sharing influenza genetic sequences and metadata, involving the influenza community, public health and animal health scientists, and governments worldwide. GISAID provides a trusted platform for rapid sharing of both published and unpublished influenza data, offering an alternative to conventional public-domain archives. The need for greater transparency in data sharing became evident in 2006 when the limited access to H5N1 sequence data stored in a US database restricted wider sharing. This led to the creation of GISAID, which established a data-sharing agreement (DAA) that allowed for emergency data sharing without infringing intellectual property rights. The DAA ensures data providers retain ownership, requires acknowledgment of sample contributors, and allows registered users to use data as long as they adhere to the DAA. The EpiFlu database, launched in 2008, played a key role in the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic response. In 2013, Chinese scientists released the genetic sequences of Influenza A(H7N9) viruses from the first human cases, demonstrating GISAID's effectiveness in timely data sharing. The database has been crucial in vaccine development and pandemic preparedness, and its use in generating candidate vaccine viruses within weeks highlighted its importance. GISAID supports the WHO Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework by facilitating global collaborations, such as the Global Consortium for H5N8 and Related Influenza Viruses. It also plays a critical role in monitoring the spread of influenza viruses and assessing risks to animal and human health. While traditional public-domain archives like GenBank are useful for storing published data, they have not been effective in encouraging rapid sharing during epidemics or pandemics. GISAID's success in influenza data sharing has provided important lessons for other emerging infectious threats. The initiative's ability to facilitate efficient global collaborations and its role in the One Health concept make it a key player in disease containment and public health preparedness. The establishment of GISAID relied on philanthropy, government support, and voluntary contributions, highlighting the importance of collaboration in global health.