WHO pandemic-response agreement talks face deadline crunch
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GENEVA – The outcome of years-long negotiations on a global agreement on tackling future pandemics remained in doubt ahead of a final deadline on April 11.
Five years after Covid-19 killed millions – and with new health threats lurking from H5N1 bird flu to measles, mpox and Ebola – pressure is mounting for a landmark deal on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
“Having a framework that brings nations together and plans for the next pandemic will save thousands if not millions of lives,” insisted WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan.
But President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States
“It’s now or never,” said Dr Sueri Moon, co-director of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
In December 2021, WHO member states resolved to seek a deal aimed at preventing and preparing for future pandemics, to avoid the mistakes made during Covid-19.
Major disputes have slowed negotiations, including on how to share data on dangerous pathogens, and whether the transfer of the technology and know-how to produce vaccines, tests and treatments should be mandatory or voluntary.
‘Unpredictable’
After 13 rounds of discussions, countries have been meeting at the WHO headquarters in Geneva for final negotiations this week, with a deadline set for late on April 11 to iron out remaining problems.
The aim is to have a text ready for final approval during the WHO’s annual assembly in May.
“The member states are working very hard,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on April 10, adding: “I hope they will reach a deal.”
Dr Ryan added that the negotiators were “making steady progress. But there are difficult issues on the table”.
The number of disputed issues have steadily shrunk in recent months, with observers saying the main sticking point now is “political will”.
The outcome is “unpredictable”, a diplomatic source said.
“Substantial progress” has been made on the draft text, “but differences remain on some key articles”, China’s mission in Geneva said, calling on all parties to “display mutual understanding” to secure an agreement that is “meaningful, equitable and actionable”.
‘Very important’
A new extension of the talks until May is possible, with NGOs and experts urging countries to compromise.
“It’s very important to reach this agreement, even with a sub-optimal text,” said Dr Ellen ‘t Hoen, director of the Medicines Law and Policy NGO.
“That is much more preferable than having to negotiate such an agreement from scratch, because that will likely only happen after the next pandemic hits, and that would be an unacceptable situation,” she said.
Among the remaining sticking points are a so-called Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System proposed in the text.
The proposal calls for participating companies to provide the WHO with “rapid access” to 20 per cent of their production of pandemic-related health products, including “at least 10 per cent of their real time production” in the form of donations.
Some countries, especially producer states, have, meanwhile, baulked at what they consider high thresholds.
While the talks could, in theory, continue even after the May assembly, there is widespread concern that if the process drags on, the political will to conclude a deal would dissipate.
If that happens, “it will probably be too late”, Dr Moon said. “The wind will go out of the sails.” AFP
