After two years of intense negotiations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that efforts to create a global treaty to combat future pandemics have failed. The WHO acknowledged that despite significant progress, challenges remain in reaching a consensus among member countries.
The negotiations aimed to strengthen global capacities to respond to future pandemics and outbreaks, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed at least 7 million lives. WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a generational pandemic agreement to address the ongoing threats posed by infectious diseases.
While the exact reasons for the collapse of the treaty were not specified, diplomats cited disagreements over sharing information about emerging pathogens and distributing pandemic-related resources. The proposed draft suggested that the WHO should receive a portion of pandemic-related products’ production and urged countries to disclose their agreements with private companies.
The failure to reach an agreement has sparked mixed reactions, with some U.S. Republican senators cautioning against empowering the WHO further, while developing countries expressed concerns about access to vaccines and treatments. Despite the setback, co-chair of the WHO’s negotiating board, Precious Matsoso, remains optimistic about the possibility of reaching a consensus in the future.
As the world grapples with the ongoing threat of pandemics, the need for a coordinated global response remains paramount. The upcoming World Health Assembly meeting will play a crucial role in charting the way forward and addressing the challenges that hindered the creation of a comprehensive pandemic treaty.