Early on Wednesday morning in Geneva, countries confirmed the draft global agreement aimed at improving the world’s preparedness and response to the pandemic, marking the historic steps to be submitted to the World Health Council for adoption in May.
After being developed after more than three years of negotiations under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), the draft outlines a framework for strengthening international cooperation, equity and resilience in the face of future global health threats.
“The nations of the world have made history in Geneva today,” said Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“In reaching the consensus of the pandemic agreement, they not only introduced generation-by-generation to make the world safer, but they also demonstrated that multilateralism is alive and that in our divided world we can work together to find a common threat and a common response to a common threat.”
“One Health” approach
The negotiations began in December 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with WHO member states agreeing to the urgent need for legally binding international measures and establishing an intergovernmental negotiating body (INB).
The process included 13 formal negotiation rounds, many of which expanded early and culminated in Wednesday’s consensus after a final overnight session.
Key components of the proposed contract include commitment to a “one health” approach to pandemic prevention, a stronger national health system, setting up financial mechanisms for coordination, and creating a globally coordinated supply chain and logistics network for health emergencies.
The draft also proposes access and profit sharing systems for new pathogens, and proposes increased support for not only capacity building, but also technology and knowledge transfer, and provides an overview of the skilled, trained, interdisciplinary national and global health emergency workforce.
I support national sovereignty
This text further confirms the sovereignty of the state in public health decisions. The agreement explicitly states who will not be given the authority to mandate health measures such as lockdowns, vaccination campaigns and border closures.
This draft will be submitted for consideration to the 78th World Health Assembly (UN’s Best Forum), the best forum of Global Health in UN, which is scheduled to begin on May 19th. If adopted, it will be subject to ratification by the individual state.
Media reports say the United States did not take part in the final round of negotiations and was not bound by the agreement, following the January announcement that it would withdraw from global health groups.
Health Equity Breakthrough
Speaking at the end of the meeting, Director Tedros praised the negotiation team and the leadership of the INB for patience and shared purpose.
“This achievement is not just a diplomatic success,” he said. “It reflects your resilience, unity and unwavering commitment to people’s health and well-being everywhere.”
South Africa’s INB Co-Chair Precious Matsoso called the outcome a breakthrough in health equity.
“Negotiations have sometimes been difficult and prolonged. But this monumental effort has been maintained by a common understanding that the virus does not respect borders. It means that everyone is not safe from the pandemic until it is safe.”
France’s co-chair, Anne Claire Ampou, added that the agreement laid the foundation for a stronger and more equitable global health security architecture.
“This is a historic agreement on health security, equity and international solidarity,” she said.
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Learning from Covid-19 and looking to the future
The agreement emerged in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing the critical vulnerability of the global health system and severe inequality in access to diagnosis, treatment and vaccines. The virus has killed nearly 7 million people worldwide, significantly disrupted the economy and overwhelmed healthcare services around the world.
At the same time, the pandemic sparked the largest vaccination campaign in history, administering more than 13.3 billion doses worldwide by April 2023.
Going forward, Tedros emphasized the long-term importance of the agreement.
“The importance of this contract goes beyond the current challenge,” he said.
“It’s essential for future generations, for children and grandchildren. By creating a strong framework for preparing and responding to the pandemic, we ensure that they are inheriting a safer and healthier world.”
