The World Health Organization has finalized a historic agreement to prepare the world for future pandemics, mapping out measures to thwart pandemics and bolster global collaboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has finalized a historic agreement to prepare the world for future pandemics, following negotiations that spanned over three years. The proposal, known as the Pandemic Agreement, maps out measures to thwart pandemics and bolster global collaboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
Founded in 1948, WHO has 194 member states and its main objective is to direct and coordinate international efforts to improve human health.
The organization sets global health policies, provides technical assistance to countries, and monitors disease outbreaks worldwide.
WHO also plays a crucial role in developing guidelines for vaccination, disease prevention, and treatment protocols.
Key Components of the Pandemic Agreement
The agreement includes several key components aimed at addressing the root causes of past pandemics. One contentious point during negotiations was Article 11, which deals with the transfer of medical technologies to developing nations. The compromise reached ensures that any transfer must be ‘mutually agreed upon’. This provision aims to address the concerns raised by developing nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including accusations of vaccine and test hoarding by richer countries.
Article 11 is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights.
It guarantees the freedom of expression and information, allowing individuals to hold opinions and access information without interference from governments or other entities.
This right has been instrumental in shaping modern democracies, enabling citizens to participate in public discourse and hold those in power accountable.
Article 11 has also played a crucial role in protecting whistleblowers and journalists who expose corruption and wrongdoing.
Global Collaboration and Benefit-Sharing
The Pandemic Agreement also proposes steps such as establishing a pathogen-access system and a benefit-sharing mechanism. These measures aim to ensure that global health efforts are equitable and that all nations can benefit from scientific advancements. The agreement includes a ‘One Health approach‘ for pandemic prevention, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
A pandemic agreement is a legally binding contract between countries to share resources, expertise, and data during a global health crisis.
This agreement aims to facilitate collaboration, coordination, and information sharing among nations to combat the spread of infectious diseases.
The 'World Health Organization (WHO)' plays a key role in facilitating these agreements.
Since 2005, several pandemic agreements have been signed, including the 'International Health Regulations (IHR)'.
These agreements outline procedures for reporting public health events, sharing data, and coordinating responses.
Respecting Sovereign Rights
The proposal emphasizes the importance of respecting sovereign rights of states in addressing public health matters within their borders. This provision aims to alleviate concerns about WHO interference with national laws and policies. The agreement explicitly states that ‘nothing in the draft agreement shall be interpreted as providing WHO any authority to direct, order, alter or prescribe national laws or policies.’
A New Era for Global Health Cooperation
The Pandemic Agreement is a significant step forward in global health cooperation. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, co-chair of the WHO’s Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, noted that ‘at a time when multilateralism is under threat, WHO member states have joined together to say that we will defeat the next pandemic threat in the only way possible: by working together‘. The agreement will be considered before the World Health Assembly in May, marking an important milestone in global health efforts.
