News: Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) have finalised a proposal for the World Pandemic Treaty, according to a statement by the global health body. World Pandemic Treaty.
About World Pandemic Treaty
- Background: The proposal to draft and negotiate this convention was finalised by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established in December 2021 under the WHO Constitution.
- Aim: The treaty aims to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
Key Provisions of Treaty:
- Legally binding accord: It is a legally enforceable accord aimed at strengthening global cooperation to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics.
- Pathogen access and Benefit Sharing System (PABS): It establishes a framework for sharing pathogens and ensuring equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments derived from them.
- One Health Approach: The treaty promotes integrated surveillance and prevention strategies that consider human, animal, and environmental health to anticipate and mitigate pandemic risks.
- Technology transfer and capacity building: It encourages the transfer of technology, knowledge, and skills to build geographically diverse research and development capacities.
- Respect for national sovereignty: The treaty explicitly affirms countries’ sovereignty over their public health policies, stating WHO will not have authority to mandate specific national actions such as lockdowns, travel bans, or vaccination mandates.
- Ratification: The treaty will be formally considered at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May 2025.
- USA’s status: The United States, having withdrawn from WHO negotiations, is not a party to the treaty and will not be bound by its provisions after its exit in 2026.
