U.S. Health Secretary Believes Pandemic Treaty Agreement is Imminent

Health officials from around the world are gathered in Geneva this week to finalize a pandemic treaty and updates to the International Health Rules (IHR) after more than two years of negotiations. The top U.S. health official, Xavier Becerra, expressed optimism that a deal was within reach, emphasizing the importance of not missing out on key reforms to the global pandemic response.

Becerra stated, “I believe we are going to get this done because it would be tragic, especially given how far we’ve come, to not get it done.” He highlighted the need for preparedness in the face of future disease outbreaks, urging countries to come together to ensure a fair and effective system for sharing drugs and vaccines.

While there are still some contentious issues to resolve, such as financing and equitable distribution of medical resources, Becerra downplayed the differences, stating that there is no substantive disagreement on the essential elements of the treaty. He emphasized the United States’ commitment to reaching a deal and ensuring a fair future system.

A U.S. delegate previously mentioned that the IHR regulation reforms should be finalized this week, and Washington supports a one- to two-year extension of the treaty talks if needed. With countries considering an extension to finalize the treaty, the world is watching closely as global health officials work towards a comprehensive and effective pandemic response framework.