Government-led negotiations on the world's first agreement to protect people from future pandemics made significant progress during the latest round of discussions that ended today, September 20, at the World Health Organization (WHO).
Substantial progress on the draft agreement, increased engagement by civil society and non-state actors, and a commitment by all parties to maintain momentum towards an agreement on the pandemic were the hallmarks of the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), which comprises all 194 WHO member governments and was held from 9 to 20 September in Geneva. Negotiators will resume discussions in a twelfth round from 4 to 15 November.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the “collective commitment” shown by governments and other stakeholders to conclude the pandemic agreement, and the urgent need to do so in light of the persistent threat posed by viruses with pandemic potential.
“The next pandemic will not be waiting for us – whether it is a flu virus like H5N1, another coronavirus or another family of viruses we do not yet know about,” Dr Tedros told the meeting. “But all the ingredients are in place to meet countries’ goal of negotiating a generational pandemic deal. The world needs hope that it is still possible for countries to find common solutions to common problems. You can provide that hope.”
Ambassador Anne-Claire Amprou, Co-President of the INB France Office, said the latest round of negotiations demonstrated governments’ commitment to a pandemic agreement to make the world a safer and healthier place. It also showed the critical role played by civil society and other non-governmental stakeholders in ensuring that equity, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of the agreement.
“During the extensive discussions, WHO Member States demonstrated a visible commitment to an agreement on pandemics,” said Ambassador Amprou. “All countries clearly recognised that we must agree on a way forward to work better, together, to protect their citizens from future pandemics.”
Ambassador Amprou added: “The constructive contributions from relevant INB stakeholders were incredibly valuable. Together, we must maintain this progress over the coming months to realize our shared goal of forging a pandemic agreement that will guide future global responses to pandemics.”
Over the past two weeks of discussions, INB participants joined negotiators to receive updates on progress and next steps, the latest version of the draft agreement reflecting the government's latest proposals, and to offer suggestions. Over the past week, INB participants have been holding talks with negotiators to discuss the latest developments and the latest developments. detailed interactive dialogues on critical topics that were broadcast publicly.
“There is an ever-increasing urgency to reach an effective pandemic agreement that not only prepares us for the next pandemic, but also helps prevent it, including through a One Health approach,” said Nina Jamal, Pandemics Director at global animal protection organization FOUR PAWS. “We thank the Office for its transparency towards relevant stakeholders, increased openness and constructive proposals from Member States, which have fostered successful negotiations. We look forward to further advancing the content of the pandemic agreement and enhancing dialogue among Member States to reach a meaningful and effective outcome.”
Michelle Childs, Policy Advocacy Director at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), added: “DNDi welcomes the dissemination of draft texts and daily briefings as they help improve the ability of stakeholders to follow and provide input and counter misinformation about what is actually being discussed. We urge further steps to improve transparency, including the publication of stakeholder interventions.”
Ms Precious Matsoso, Co-Chair of GNI South Africa, said there was progress in key areas of the draft agreement, including research and development, strengthening regulatory systems, One Health, pandemic prevention and technology, supply chain networks and a new system for increased access to and benefit sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential, such as vaccines, diagnostics and treatments.
“After nearly three years of negotiations, countries are now focusing on the remaining and most critical elements of the draft agreement to protect the world from future pandemics,” Matsoso said.
Ms Matsoso added: “At the heart of the negotiations is the recognition that collaboration between countries will ensure that the world is not left vulnerable to future pandemics, while each and every country will maintain sovereignty and control over national health decision-making.”
In December 2021 , a special session of the World Health Assembly established the INB to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument within the framework of the Constitution of the World Health Organization, to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. At the World Health Assembly in June 2024 , governments made concrete commitments to complete negotiations on a global pandemic agreement within one year at the latest, and possibly by 2024.
Source: OMS