The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that its 194 member states aim to finalize an agreement by next year to improve pandemic prevention and response, aiming to prevent crises similar to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. After two years of discussions, member countries have preliminarily agreed to update mandatory health regulations, adding a new category called "Pandemic Emergency." However, significant disagreements remain between wealthy and poorer nations regarding vaccine sharing and epidemic preparedness.
Progress and Challenges
The WHO, a United Nations agency, is hopeful that these issues will be resolved by next year, or possibly sooner, to enable a more coordinated global response to new viruses or pathogens capable of widespread transmission. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the collective desire of member states to protect their populations and the world from public health emergencies and future pandemics.
"There is a common desire among member states to protect their people and the world from the shared risk of public health emergencies and future pandemics," Tedros stated. Meanwhile, the U.S. Health Secretary highlighted the need for legal norms that would establish accountability for countries that fail to adhere to pandemic prevention rules.
The Urgency of a Global Agreement
The need for a global agreement on coordinated pandemic response became evident after COVID-19, which originated in China in late 2019, resulted in over 7 million deaths worldwide and caused a global crisis lasting nearly three years. This pandemic exposed significant gaps in international cooperation, vaccine distribution, and epidemic preparedness, underscoring the importance of a unified approach.
Key Issues: Vaccine Sharing and Preparedness
One of the major sticking points in the negotiations is the disparity between wealthy and poorer countries regarding vaccine sharing and epidemic preparedness. Wealthier nations have more resources to invest in health infrastructure and vaccine development, while poorer countries often struggle to secure sufficient vaccine supplies and implement effective health measures.
WHO's Vision for the Future
WHO aims to establish comprehensive guidelines that would ensure fair vaccine distribution and improve global health infrastructure. This would involve creating mechanisms for rapid vaccine development, equitable distribution, and robust health systems capable of responding swiftly to emerging health threats.
As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of COVID-19, the importance of a coordinated global response to pandemics cannot be overstated. The WHO's efforts to finalize an agreement by next year represent a crucial step towards ensuring that the international community is better prepared for future health crises.
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Source: Reuters
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