This draft proposal was finalized by Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), which was established by World Health Assembly in 2021.
- INB was tasked with drafting and negotiating a convention aimed at strengthening global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
- It is now set to be submitted to the World Health Assembly in May for consideration.
About WHO Pandemic Agreement
- Objective: To prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics.
- Key provisions of Treaty:
- Pandemic prevention and surveillance: Conduct risk assessments of emerging pathogens.
- One Health approach: Recognizing interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
- Transfer of technology and related knowledge: Make available licenses on a transparent basis and for benefit of developing countries.
- Access and benefit sharing: Establish WHO Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System.
Need for WHO pandemic agreement
- Defences against new pathogens: E.g. Uncoordinated responses during COVID-19 showed need of a global framework.
- Global collaboration: To ensure that all sectors of society are better prepared and protected.
- Ensure equity: In access to tools needed to prevent pandemics e.g. vaccines, personal protective equipment etc.
- Support Sustainable Finance: By mobilizing and allocating funding for preparedness, response, and health system strengthening.
Existing framework to deal with pandemic
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