International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
The International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response or Pandemic Treaty is a proposed
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
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
- ^ a b Nebehay, Stephanie (2021-11-28). "WHO reaches draft consensus on future pandemic treaty". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
- .
- ^ S2CID 237516558.
- ^ "Global leaders unite in urgent call for international pandemic treaty". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
- S2CID 244479296.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
External links
- PandemicTreaty.net, website of the Pandemic Treaty Project by Georgetown University's Center for Global Health Science and Security and Carnegie Corporation of New York
- World Health Assembly, 2nd Special Session Decision (1 December 2021): "The World Together: Establishment of an intergovernmental negotiating body to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response"
- Meeting documents of the World Health Assembly, 2nd Special Session