Editorial: Historic agreement

The pandemic treaty would obligate wealthy nations to share key information on pathogens and technology for interventions such as vaccines with the rest of the world

One of the key lessons learnt from the devastating Covid-19 pandemic was that sustained global cooperation, rising above political differences, alone can help the nations overcome such a massive public health crisis. After three years of intense, often contentious, negotiations, the member nations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have now agreed on a draft “pandemic treaty” that sets guidelines for preventing future Covid-like health threats. This is truly a historic moment for global efforts to avert future pandemics. What is more significant is that the WHO has successfully navigated the differences among the member countries and helped in arriving at a broad consensus, despite the setbacks suffered by the global health body following the exit of the United States. The ratification by 191 countries is not only a symbolic victory for multilateralism but also sends a strong message that the WHO has overcome the setback caused by America’s withdrawal from the global health body. The pandemic treaty is designed to help the global community better prevent and respond to health crises. Key elements of the draft agreement include a commitment to a “One Health” approach to pandemic prevention, stronger national health systems, setting up a coordinating financial mechanism, and creating a globally coordinated supply chain and logistics network for health emergencies. It also proposes a new pathogen access and benefit-sharing system, increased support for technology and knowledge transfer as well as capacity-building, and outlines a skilled, trained and multidisciplinary national and global health emergency workforce.

The consensus demonstrated that in our divided world, the nations can still work together to find common ground and a shared response to shared threats. The agreement is aimed at averting a faltering response, like the one witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic, which left many poor nations with limited access to vaccines and treatments. It would oblige wealthy nations to share key information on pathogens and technology for interventions such as vaccines with the rest of the world. The member states are expected to adopt the treaty, which will be legally binding, next month. The United States, which stopped participating in negotiations after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from the WHO, is not expected to ratify the treaty. The agreement is all the more important, given the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, which exposed critical vulnerabilities in global health systems and stark inequalities in access to diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. In a time of multiplying infectious disease threats — including avian influenza, Mpox and Marburg virus — public health experts say that the treaty is truly ground-breaking, because it takes a holistic view of epidemics, addressing not only how to respond to new outbreaks but also the steps to prevent them. By building a strong framework for pandemic preparedness and response, we can ensure that future generations inherit a safer and healthier world.

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