Nations agree on deal to tackle future pandemics
Global nations have agreed on the text of a landmark pandemic deal, aiming to prevent the failures seen during the Covid-19 crisis after years of negotiation, Al-Monitor via Reuters reported on April 14th.
Delegates at the World Health Organisation (WHO) HQ wrapped up the deal at around 2:00 am after a final lengthy session, ending over three years of negotiations.
Not since the tobacco control deal in 2003, has there been an international agreement of this type in WHO’s 75-year history, the BBC reported on April 16th.
A notable missing member of the final talks was the US, after President Donald Trump declared his decision to pull out of the international health agency.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, hailed the agreement as a “significant milestone” in building a safer future. The urgency of looming threats like H5N1 bird flu, measles, mpox, and Ebola added pressure to finalise the deal.
Ghebreyesus added: “The nations of the world made history in Geneva today,” according to the WHO on April 16th. Those negotiating pulled through disagreements. Negotiators were also made aware of Article 11, which addresses technology transfers for pandemic health products to developing countries.
With the terms having been agreed, nations will need to make sure pandemic-related drugs are accessible worldwide, in the event of another outbreak.
Some countries have not been in favour of compulsory tech transfers, stressing that they must be voluntary. But negotiators appeared to agree on “mutually agreed” transfers, reaching a consensus.
The basis of the deal, the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), intends to ensure the sharing of pathogen data with pharmaceutical companies to fast-track the development of medical tools for pandemics. WHO member states reportedly approved the 32-page text in full, marking it green. It is ready for an official sign-off at the upcoming WHO assembly.
Applause erupted as co-chair Anne-Claire Amprou announced, “it’s adopted.” The agreement drew praise from global officials. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called it “excellent news.”
Although developing nations noted that the agreement did not fulfil all their hopes, they still welcomed the agreement. As Eswatini’s representative warned, “the real work begins now.”
The news comes against a backdrop of WHO warning about the health crisis in Gaza, in which blood supplies to treat the wounded were running out at a critical level, Middle East Eye reported on March 28th.
Al-Monitor via Reuters, BBC, Middle East Eye, WHO
