In September 2024, WHO described “significant progress” on government-led negotiations on a pandemic agreement after another round of discussions. These discussions took place at the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) between 9th and 20th September in Geneva. Further discussions are scheduled from 4th November.
The pandemic agreement is an effort by WHO Member States to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The intention to negotiate this agreement was established in December 2021. In June 2024, governments made “concrete commitments” to complete negotiations within a year at the latest.
Collective commitment
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commented that the “collective commitment” shown in the efforts to reach an agreement is a necessary response to the threat of viruses with pandemic potential.
“The next pandemic will not wait for us, whether from a flu virus like H5N1, another coronavirus, or another family of viruses we don’t yet know about. But all the ingredients are in place to meet the objective of countries to negotiate a generational pandemic agreement. The world needs hope that it is still possible for countries to find common solutions to common problems. You provide that hope.”
Ambassador Anne-Claire Amprou, INB Bureau Co-chair of France, also identified the “visible commitment” shown by governments in the negotiations.
“There was a clear recognition from all countries that we must agree on a way forward to work better, together, to protect their citizens from future pandemics… The constructive contributions by INB relevant stakeholders were incredibly valuable. Together, we must sustain this progress during the coming months to realise our shared goal to forge a pandemic agreement that guides future global responses to pandemics.”
Head of Pandemics at FOUR PAWS, a global animal welfare organisation, Nina Jamal, centred a One Health approach in the “growing urgency” for an effective Pandemic Agreement.
“We thank the Bureau for transparency towards relevant stakeholders, increased openness and constructive proposals by Member States, promoting successful negotiations. We are looking forward to further progress on the substance of the pandemic agreement and improved dialogue among member states to arrive at a meaningful, effective result.”
Michelle Childs, Policy Advocacy Director for the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) welcomed the sharing of draft texts and daily briefings.
“These help to improve the ability of stakeholders to follow and input and counter misinformation about what is actually being discussed. We encourage further steps to enhance transparency, including making stakeholder interventions publicly available.”
INB Co-chair from South Africa, Ms Precious Matsoso, suggested that there had been progress on various areas of the draft agreement, from research and development to sharing of benefits such as vaccines. After almost three years, countries are “now focused on the remaining and most critical elements” of the agreement.
“At the heart of the negotiations is recognition that collaboration among countries will ensure the world will not be left vulnerable in the face of future pandemics, while each and every country will maintain their sovereignty and control over national health decision-making.”
For more on efforts to reach an agreement and how the vaccine industry can align itself with this, join us at the Congress in Barcelona next month, and don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletters here.
