International_Treaty_on_Pandemic_Prevention,_Preparedness_and_Response

International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Proposed international agreement

The International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response or Pandemic Treaty is a proposed international agreement to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.[1] The 194 World Health Organization (WHO) member states agreed in December 2021 to begin negotiations on a global pandemic treaty, aiming for a draft agreement to be finalized by May 2024 for consideration by the 77th World Health Assembly.[1][2][3] The central principle for the instrument is equity.[4]

Background

Experts argue that the COVID-19 pandemic has "exposed severe limitations in both the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the WHO’s institutional capacities."[5] In light of the pandemic's global devastation, many states called for a stronger international framework to deal with future pandemics.[6][7]

Responding to these calls, a special session of the World Health Assembly, the WHO's governing body, convened in November 2021.[2] At this meeting, the WHO member states agreed "to establish (...) an intergovernmental negotiating body open to all Member States and Associate Members (the “INB”) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response".[8]

The first meeting of the negotiating body is to be scheduled "no later than 1 March 2022" and will aim to "define and agree on its working methods and timelines".[8] The second session will be held "no later than 1 August 2022" and is meant to consider a working draft of the future international agreement.[8] The negotiating body "shall submit its outcome for consideration by the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly" in 2024.[8]

Treaty format

There is currently no agreement regarding the legal format of the future pandemic treaty.[2] More than 70 states, including the European Union and United Kingdom, are advocating for a strong legally binding international treaty.[2][3] In contrast, other countries, including the United States, India and Brazil, are reluctant to commit to a legally binding agreement.[2]

The WHO could adopt a pandemic treaty under Article 21 of its constitution, similar to the legal status of the International Health Regulations.[5] Alternatively, the WHO could adopt a pandemic convention or agreement under Article 19, used only once before for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.[5]

Proceedings

The intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) first met on 24 February 2022.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "World Health Assembly agrees to launch process to develop historic global accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response". World Health Organization. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  2. [2]
    Cumming-Bruce, Nick (2021-12-01). "W.H.O. members agree to begin talks on a global pandemic treaty". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  3. [3]
    Nebehay, Stephanie (2021-11-28). "WHO reaches draft consensus on future pandemic treaty". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  4. [4]
    "Advancing Equity In The Pandemic Treaty". Health Affairs. 2023-05-09. doi:10.1377/forefront.20230504.241626.
  5. [5]
    Gostin, Lawrence O.; Halabi, Sam F.; Klock, Kevin A. (2021-10-05). "An International Agreement on Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness". JAMA. 326 (13): 1257–1258. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.16104. ISSN 0098-7484. PMID 34524388. S2CID 237516558.
  6. [6]
    "Global leaders unite in urgent call for international pandemic treaty". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  7. [7]
    Thirty two ministers of Health (2021-11-23). "The world must act now to be prepared for future health emergencies". BMJ. 375: n2879. doi:10.1136/bmj.n2879. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 34815233. S2CID 244479296.
  8. [8]
    World Health Assembly, Second Special Session (1 December 2021). The World Together: Establishment of an intergovernmental negotiating body to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PDF). World Health Organization.
  9. [9]
    Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Tedros (24 February 2022). WHO Director-General's opening remarks at first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (Speech). World Health Organization. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  10. [10]
    "Council gives green light to start negotiations on international pandemic treaty" (Press release). Council of the European Union. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
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