The recent lack of a global pandemic agreement from the international community has created significant gaps in the ability to address the next major infectious disease crisis.
The likelihood of another pandemic similar to COVID - the most severe in a century - is rising.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has taken a significant step forward by implementing valuable changes to the existing legally enforceable International Health Regulations.
While this progress is a reason to rejoice, it is not sufficient. Even if the revised regulations are endorsed by governments, our strongest chance of avoiding a repeat of history depends on a pandemic agreement.
Efforts to address health threats crossing borders globally can be traced back to an international sanitary conference in 1851, which concentrated on measures to contain the spread of cholera. Since then, numerous initiatives have been launched to enhance global health security, including the establishment of the WHO in 1946.
The International Health Regulations of 2005 marked a significant advancement in this progression. They initiated the contemporary era of evaluating potential risks and established a worldwide monitoring system for public health crises with international implications.
However, it quickly became apparent that the new instruments had limitations when it came to addressing the increasingly intricate and rapidly spreading danger of zoonotic diseases (occurs when a pathogen from animals jumps to infect humans).
Addressing the numerous necessary reforms beyond the International Health Regulations could be covered by a pandemic agreement.
However, the negotiations to achieve a global agreement are proving contentious. A significant divide exists between wealthier and less affluent nations regarding the equitable distribution and affordability of vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics for developing countries. The sharing of pathogen data has also presented challenges.
Because of these obstacles, the international community has yet to reach a consensus on the wording of a pandemic agreement. The WHO has outlined the next steps for further negotiations, which are already years behind the original schedule.
From the risks of war to environmental destruction and pandemics, no single country can independently safeguard its population against the most serious shared threats to humanity. While the necessity for global unity and collaboration is greater than ever, support for many crucial aspects of international law is declining.
Follow us
