WHO's "pandemic agreement" aims to jointly combat global epidemics
Member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) reached an agreement on the draft text in April after more than three years of negotiations on the "epidemic agreement" in order to be better prepared for future epidemic threats.
The agreement is expected to be discussed at the World Health Assembly, the WHO's decision-making body, which will convene in Geneva from 19-27 May.
Making a statement on the "epidemic agreement" and the related process, WHO Turkey Representative Dr. Tasnim Ghaleb Sadeq Atatrah emphasized that the agreement, which was initiated after Covid-19 and developed through the negotiation process, aims to increase the capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to future global epidemics.
Atatrah said, "The aim of the agreement is to ensure that the devastating effects of Covid-19 on health, social structure and economy are not repeated. The agreement aims to create a more united, equitable and prepared global health system."
Dr. Atatrah stated that the agreement includes measures such as establishing a pathogen access and benefit-sharing system, strengthening prevention efforts with the "one health" approach, increasing global research and development capacity, technology transfer, and establishing a global supply chain and financing mechanisms.
“The pandemic agreement is a historic and vital step in global health,” said Atatrah, adding: “The agreement emerged as a result of the bitter lessons we learned during the Covid-19 crisis, which exposed major deficiencies in our collective preparedness and response capabilities. This agreement is the third legally binding agreement in WHO history, following the International Health Regulations and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The agreement is designed to strengthen global solidarity and cooperation so that the next pandemic does not cause the same level of loss and inequality. Its aim is to prevent chaos, ensure rapid response, and make tools such as vaccines and diagnostics accessible to all.”
Pointing out the importance of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the process of strengthening this regulation, Atatrah described the regulation as "the backbone of international public health security."
Noting that the Regulation includes legally binding commitments among 196 countries, including WHO Member States, to rapidly and effectively detect disease threats, Atatrah said, “COVID-19 has shown us that the IHR must be strengthened. The new IHR amendments address this by improving early warning systems, response coordination, and equitable access to tools and resources.”
Emphasizing that only member states decide on the content of the draft pandemic agreement and the changes to be made to the IHR, Atatrah shared the information, "Although WHO has acted as a secretariat, that is, a facilitator, it is the countries that negotiate, shape and finalize the texts. However, each country will ratify and implement these texts in accordance with their own national laws. This is a process based on national sovereignty and national decision-making."
Atatrah underlined that an effective agreement can be transformative, stating that the agreement includes regulations to equip healthcare workers with the tools and protective elements they need, ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines and treatments, improve global disease surveillance and communication, and strengthen healthcare systems and laboratory capacities.
Emphasizing that the most important element in the agreement is to increase the world's ability to prevent and respond to outbreaks before they become crises, Dr. Atatrah said, "This is about working together to ensure that we are never caught unprepared again. Since pandemics know no borders, our response should not know any borders either."
Dr. Atatrah, WHO Representative in Turkey, shared the following information about the important changes to be made to the IHR: “Pandemic Emergency; this new term helps mobilize faster and stronger international cooperation when a global health threat is identified. A Coordinated Financial Mechanism; this supports equitable access to financing, especially for developing countries, to develop their health capacities. Establishment of National IHR Authorities; these will improve the coordination and implementation of the IHR at the national and international levels.
“This new body will promote cooperation and monitor how countries implement the IHR. These changes aim to build confidence and efficiency in our global health response.”
"WE MAKE SCIENTIFIC ADVICE, DECISIONS BELONG TO COUNTRIES"Stating that false information about the "pandemic agreement" has spread in society and that this process has been targeted, Atatrah said that this is one of the most serious challenges they face today.
Atatrah said that there is no question of giving the WHO the power to influence national health decisions, adding: "The draft agreement clearly confirms the 'sovereign right of each country to legislate and implement laws in line with its own health policies'. The WHO does not impose a lockdown and cannot force anyone to impose a lockdown, mandate vaccinations or bypass national laws. We provide scientific advice, but decisions always belong to countries.
It is critical that we combat this misinformation, not just to protect these agreements, but to protect the truth and ultimately lives. The world needs these agreements, and we cannot afford to fail. The pandemic agreement and the updated IHR are our shared commitment to future generations. Pandemic preparedness is a shared global responsibility. Every country, every community, every voice must do this together.”
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