48
The International Pandemic Treaty: What is at Stake?
Series | COVID-19 and response strategy
Author: Germán Velásquez* [ This document is one of a series of discussion notes addressing fundamental questions about global health. Its purpose is to transfer scientific knowledge into the public conversation and the decisionmaking process. These documents are based on the best information available and may be updated as new information comes to light. ]
18 November 2022 Photo: WHO / Pierre Albouy
On 30 March 2021, twenty-five world leaders1 joined the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhonom Ghebreyesus, in an open call for an international pandemic treaty informed by the lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis.2 The call document recognises the inevitability of future pandemics and other major health emergencies. The only unknown is when the next one will occur. We must be better prepared to predict, prevent, detect and assess pandemics and to mount an effective and coordinated response. This call makes the point that a new international treaty on pandemic prevention and preparedness is needed to ensure such a response.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for coordinated joint action on an international level guided by public interest and prioritising equitable treatment for all nations. The 2020-2022 global health crisis has— once again—clearly demonstrated the fragility of the WHO and highlighted the fact that the agency either does not have or does not use the legal instruments and mechanisms it needs to enforce its regulations and guidelines in situations like the COVID-19 crisis or future pandemics
.
* Germán Velásquez is special advisor on policy and health for The South Centre intergovernmental organisation in Geneva, Switzerland. 1 The leaders who have, to date, joined WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in this call for action represent the following countries: Albania, Chile, Costa Rica, the European Council, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunis, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. 2
European Council, Council of the European Union, “An international treaty on pandemic prevention and preparedness”. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/coronavirus/pandemic-treaty/
www.isglobal.org
1