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Global Pandemic Treaty: A Crucial Step in Preparedness
Context:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been leading negotiations among its 194 member states to establish an international accord focused on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
- This historic treaty will be only the second health accord since the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aimed at reducing smoking worldwide.
Need for a Pandemic Accord
- The devastating impact of COVID-19 has laid bare the urgent need for a global response to future pandemics.
- Vaccine Inequity: One of the starkest failures during the COVID-19 pandemic was the inequitable distribution of vaccines.
- Wealthier nations prioritised stockpiling doses for their own populations, leaving low- and middle-income countries struggling to secure and distribute vaccines.
- An analysis estimated that 1.3 million people in lower-income countries died due to this inequitable access.
- During the global vaccination campaign, 80% of all doses were given in high-income and upper-middle-income countries.
- Wealthier nations prioritised stockpiling doses for their own populations, leaving low- and middle-income countries struggling to secure and distribute vaccines.
- Building Equity at the Core: The proposed pandemic accord aims to tackle the crucial issue of equity regardless of a nation’s wealth.
Progress on Pandemic Accord
- Protection of Health Workers: The first approved article of the accord focuses on human resources, specifically the health workforce.
- Ensuring their protection and prioritising access to vaccines as frontline workers. Additional conditions include ensuring decent work and safe working conditions.
- Securing Funding: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted failures due to underfunded preparedness and response efforts, underscoring the need for a coordinated financial mechanism.
- Pandemic Fund Reform: The fund, launched in 2022 by the World Bank, was the first multilateral financing mechanism solely dedicated to providing grants to improve pandemic preparedness in low- and middle-income countries.
Remaining Challenges in Pandemic Accord Negotiations
- Differing Priorities: Negotiators hold diverse views, with some prioritising specific aspects regardless of extensions. Finding common ground requires creative solutions.
- Competing Interests: Different groups have emerged, each advocating for their priorities:
- Friends of the Treaty: Pushes for the overall accord’s acceptance.
- Group for Equity: Mainly from developing countries, there is an argument for equal access to pathogens and benefit-sharing.
- Friends of One Health: Mainly from Europe and the UK, there is a push to frame the entire agreement under One Health.
- A concept that examines the interconnectedness between people, animals, plants, and the environment.
- Supply Chain and Logistics: Transparency in costs, pricing, and availability of essential medical supplies.
- Developed nations, including the US, and some developing countries prioritise this aspect.
Key Sticking Points:
- Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABSS): The African region and Group for Equity strongly emphasised that pathogen sharing must be a cornerstone of any pandemic treaty.
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- They insisted on access from developing countries, with the resulting benefits—such as vaccines and diagnostics—being shared equitably.
- Technology Transfer: This involves geographically diversified production using mechanisms like compulsory licensing and product information, especially to benefit developing countries.
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- Developed nations have backed voluntary technology transfer goals in the agreement but have criticised mandatory technology transfer language.
- Balancing Diverse Needs: Reaching an agreement acceptable to all 194 member states requires careful consideration of various demands, including:
- Gender considerations
- Equity in resource distribution
- Liability and compensation mechanisms
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Disease Outbreaks
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