Next Pandemic? - Negotiations are stalled over proposed pandemic agreements

IHR Working Group Co-Chairs and WHO DG

The Working Group on the International Health Regulations (IHR), which aimed to clear the way for an agreement on global pandemic preparedness, faced a significant setback this week. 

Vaccine equity proved to be a major sticking point. Wealthier nations, influenced by domestic anxieties and media pressures, resisted strong provisions for sharing vaccines with poorer countries. Disagreements regarding intellectual property rights and funding further complicated the negotiations.

While the Working Group's discussions stalled, the World Health Assembly (WHA) session begins today, May 27th. The Assembly will now consider the Working Group's outcomes and decide how to proceed. Several options are on the table:

• Renewed Negotiations: The WHA might extend discussions, allowing more time to find compromises on these critical issues.
• Phased Approach: They could adopt a less ambitious agreement now, focusing on aspects with wider agreement, and revisit the tougher issues later.
• Back to the Drawing Board: In the worst-case scenario, the WHA might scrap the entire agreement and start over.

The coming days will be crucial as the Assembly decides the best path forward to ensure the world is better prepared for the next pandemic threat.

Click here for Pandemic Accord Negotiations Stall Again in Health Policy Watch

Click here for IHR Working Group 

Click here for UK refuses to sign global vaccine treaty