Member States of the World Health Organization have agreed to a global process to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the Constitution of the World Health Organization to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
In March 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision to authorize the opening of negotiations for an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) is expected to deliver a progress report to the World Health Assembly in 2023 and a draft agreement in May 2024.
Read the full news article on from the World Health Organisation
The House of Commons held a debate on the 17 April to discuss a petition with over 156,000 signatures, asking the Government to commit to not signing any international treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response unless approved through public referendum.
Science | Business – in partnership with Sanofi – convened a roundtable discussion in March 2023 with international experts (representing industry at large, academia, public health bodies, multilateral organisations, think tanks, government officials and research organisations) to discuss how to prepare for future pandemics. The paper published May 2023 ‘Pandemic Preparedness. How will the international accord help respond to unforeseen shocks?’ summarises the discussions and key recommendations arising from that roundtable.