On Tuesday 20 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) member states adopted by consensus the first-ever ‘global agreement on pandemics’ (see EUROPE 13623/4). The decision, taken at the 78th World Health Assembly, “culminates more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and driven by the goal of making the world safer from – and more equitable in response to – future pandemics”, according to the WHO.
“The world is safer today thanks to the leadership, collaboration and commitment of our member states to adopt the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
For Hans Henri P. Kluge, regional director of WHO Europe, the agreement represents a “collective promise to do better, together”. It will help countries build resilience to future pandemics and early detection and response, and ensure equitable access to vaccines and treatments. In particular, it supplements the International Health Regulations.
Further details: https://aeur.eu/f/gwl (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)