WHO gives itself one year for pandemic pact
Published: Saturday, Jun 1st 2024, 23:00
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Following the unsuccessful negotiations on a World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic agreement, the member states are giving themselves a year to come up with new solutions. On Saturday in Geneva, however, they agreed on some changes to the international health regulations, including the introduction of a pandemic emergency.
With regard to the pandemic agreement, the 194 WHO member states opened the door to a special meeting if no agreement is reached within the year provided for. The African group only wanted an extension until December.
However, the Western states and Switzerland in particular prevailed with their desire for more flexibility. The solution is also in line with the US intention to extend the agreement by one to two years.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saw the decision as a clear expression of the will to reach a pandemic agreement. "The next pandemic is only a matter of time," he said.
A few days ago, the co-chairs of the negotiating groups had to concede that no agreement could be reached on the 34 articles of the agreement after two years of talks.
Discussions on intellectual property, equal access to vaccines, sharing information on pathogens and other issues are still ongoing.
Like the USA, Switzerland is facing criticism when it comes to intellectual property. It has spoken out in favor of voluntary rather than compulsory licenses for medicines. Following the discussions about unequal access to vaccines during the coronavirus pandemic, the WHO wants to prevent these controversies in future.
The amendments also provide for fair access to technologies against pathogens. A financial mechanism is to be used, particularly for developing countries. Switzerland welcomed the progress.
The Palestinian representative also sat alongside the member states for the first time on Saturday evening. The other countries extended the observer rights of this delegation, as did the UN General Assembly recently. In the afternoon, between 600 and 700 anti-vaccination activists demonstrated on the Place des Nations.
©Keystone/SDA
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