Last week it was reported that plans to adopt an international pandemic treaty had stalled, as countries failed to reach an agreement on the final draft before the 77th World Health Assembly (“WHA”), which started in Geneva on Monday.
Australian Health Minister Mark Butler is not taking the news lying down.
In two addresses at the WHA in Geneva this week, Butler called for the “binding” World Health Organisation (WHO) treaty to be progressed as fast as possible, committing Australia to it in principle.
Speaking on behalf of Australia in the second plenary meeting at the WHA on Monday, Butler told those present:
We are also fully committed to concluding the WHO pandemic agreement. Together we have made considerable progress in our shared ambition towards a set of binding international commitments for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
We have a strong basis on which to finalise important amendments to the International Health Regulations this week. I urge all member states to redouble their efforts to resolve the remaining challenges and seize this opportunity to agree critical reforms to our global health architecture because we simply cannot afford to fail. (Emphasis mine)
Australia worked with a cross-regional group over the weekend and yesterday to table a draft decision reflecting the available options to finalise the agreement.
Based on legal counsel’s advice, the choices for this Assembly are essentially to continue negotiations through the INB [Intergovernmental Negotiating Body] or through another body, then to request the outcome be submitted to this 77th session at a resumed meeting, to a special session or to a future regular session.
WHO Member States agreed to continue to work during the World Health Assembly, which ends on 1 June, with the aim to:
- finalise the package of amendments to the IHR (2005)
- agree the timing, format and process to conclude the pandemic agreement.
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