A new era of global cooperation has been ushered in as the World Health Organization secures approval for a landmark agreement aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to future pandemics. The historic pact promises to enhance multilateralism and foster greater collaboration in global health governance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step towards improving global health governance in the face of future pandemics. The organization’s member countries have approved an agreement aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to future outbreaks. This new measure is a result of three years of debate and development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
Founded in 1948, WHO has 194 member states and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
The organization's main objective is to promote health, keep the world safe from diseases, and improve the quality of life for all people.
WHO sets global health policies, monitors disease outbreaks, and provides technical assistance to countries.
It also coordinates international responses to public health emergencies such as pandemics.
A New Era of Cooperation
The approval of this agreement marks a significant shift towards multilateralism and cooperation in global health governance. Many world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, have praised the accord as a ‘shared commitment to fight future pandemics with greater cooperation while building a healthy planet.’ The United States, which was initially not part of the final stages of the agreement due to its withdrawal from the WHO, has since joined in support.
Global health governance refers to the set of institutions, policies, and practices that shape international responses to global health issues.
The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a central role in global health governance, setting global health standards and coordinating responses to pandemics.
Other key players include the G20 and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Effective global health governance requires cooperation among governments, international organizations, and civil society groups.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite this positive development, several challenges remain. The United States’ decision to withdraw from the WHO and its criticism of the organization’s handling of COVID-19 have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the new agreement. Additionally, the lack of penalties for countries that ignore the treaty has sparked doubts about its ability to prevent future pandemics.
A Path Forward
Countries hope to adopt an annex to the treaty by next year’s assembly that would guarantee access to virus samples, tests, medicines, and vaccines used to fight pandemics. This Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing system aims to ensure that developing countries have some access to these critical resources. The success of this initiative will depend on the commitment and cooperation of all member states.
The pathogen access and benefit-sharing (PABS) framework aims to balance the rights of countries providing genetic resources with those seeking access.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) regulates PABS, ensuring fair compensation for benefits derived from genetic resources.
This framework promotes sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity while fostering innovation and economic growth.
A Duty to Humanity
The chair of a committee that paved the way for the adoption, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, emphasized the importance of this agreement in protecting public health. ‘We — as sovereign states — have resolved to join hands, as one world together, so we can protect our children, elders, frontline health workers and all others from the next pandemic,’ she said. This new era of cooperation is a step towards fulfilling humanity’s duty to protect its most vulnerable members.
A Call to Action
The approval of this agreement marks a significant moment in global health governance. It is up to all member states to work together to ensure that this initiative is successful and that future pandemics are prevented. With the commitment and cooperation of all, we can build a healthier world for everyone.
