15 October 2024 – In December 2021, the World Health Assembly established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), tasked with negotiating and drafting a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts. The INB's mission is firmly grounded in the principles of inclusiveness, transparency, efficiency, Member State leadership and consensus.
INB’s work on a pandemic agreement is a step towards building a more resilient global health architecture. By prioritizing collaboration, equity and robust regulatory mechanisms, the INB can help transform how the world prevents and responds to pandemic emergencies.
The agreement emphasizes a holistic approach to pandemic preparedness and response and addresses 19 key issues, including: pandemic prevention and public health surveillance; a One Health approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; health system resilience and recovery; supply chain and logistics; research and development; technology transfer and sustainable financing.
The complex conflicts and emergencies affecting 12 of the Eastern Mediterranean Region’s 22 countries and territories and economic sanctions complicate the response to disease outbreaks and pandemics. The mass displacement and migration conflicts constitute a major determinant of health, as was made clear during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ongoing humanitarian and refugee crises in the Region increase health system fragility, with serious negative consequences for equitable priority-setting. Health facilities are attacked and health workers killed. Disruptions to logistics and supply systems interrupt the distribution of essential medicines and other medical commodities to health facilities, causing significant increases in morbidity and mortality.
Representatives of the Region’s Member States and stakeholders have been heavily involved in negotiations for the agreement to ensure the final document addresses the Eastern Mediterranean’s unique vulnerabilities.
During the negotiation process some Member States have raised concerns over specific items, including whether a temporary waiver on intellectual property rights for pandemic-related products will improve access during pandemic emergencies or hamper systems that have served well in the past. Concerns have also been raised about the need to ensure for an unimpeded access to pandemic medical products and the requirement for mandatory technology transfer and the creation of a new pooled funding mechanism for pandemic preparedness and response.
Participants were updated on the latest work of the INB during the Seventy-first session of the Regional Committee.
