Countries began negotiations on an international agreement to protect the world from future epidemics

WHO countries have begun negotiations on an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.Zero draft” as a basis for negotiating an agreement to protect nations and communities from future pandemic emergencies.

The draft pandemic agreement was discussed late Friday in the fourth week-long meeting. Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB)WHO covers 194 countries. Negotiations on the draft will continue next year, according to the timetable set by the World Health Assembly.

Mr. Roland Dries, co-chairman of the INB office from the Netherlands, said, “The start of substantive language discussions for the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement is a clear sign that the countries of the world want to work together for a safe and healthy future. Where we give.

Ms Precious Matsoso, Co-Chair of the South African Office of the INB, said: “This week’s efforts by countries around the world was a critical step to ensure that the mistakes of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic are not repeated. By sharing life-saving vaccines, providing information and building local capacity.

Ms. Matsoso added, “Our ability to move forward with determination is a testament to the global consensus to work together and strengthen the capacity of the World Health Organization and the international community to protect the world from pandemics.”

WHO member states will continue negotiations on the Zero Draft Agreement at the INB meeting on April 3-6, with the aim of gathering all the necessary inputs to prepare the first draft.

In the year According to the process agreed by governments at the special session of the World Health Assembly at the end of 2021, the negotiations on the draft epidemic agreement will be held in 2021. It aims to produce a final draft for consideration at the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024.

During the week, senior diplomats from Israel and Morocco, who are serving as coordinators of the UN General Assembly’s high-level conference on epidemic prevention, preparedness and response, briefed the INB on their preparations for the September 20 meeting. To ensure cooperation between the process.

In parallel with the Pandemic Agreement negotiations, Governments are also discussing. More than 300 amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) in an effort to protect the world from infectious diseases and ensure greater equity in the global response to public health emergencies.

Governments have been working to ensure consistency and alignment in INB and IHR processes. The proposed IHR amendments will be submitted to the World Health Assembly in 2024 and will provide comprehensive, complementary and integrated international health agreements with a future epidemic agreement.