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New Pandemic Treaty Proposal by WHO assembly

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Economy
  • Published
    26th May, 2021

Context

The European Union (EU) and several other member-states are pushing for the WHO assembly to make a quick decision on ‘New Pandemic Treaty’ is expected to take place at the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA74).

About the New Pandemic Treaty

  • It will help in creating a ‘Global Framework Convention on Pandemic Preparedness and Response’.
  • WHO commissioned has commissioned three committees for this purpose:
  • IHR Review Committee (IRC)
  • Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee (IOAC)
  • Independent panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR)
  • These committees are in favour of a new pandemic treaty.

Need for treaty

Treaty is required because it will be helpful in these ways

  • Rapidly share information about epidemics, obtain biological samples of the pathogen and sequence the genomes;
  • Improve access to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines; and
  • Prevent zoonotic diseases

India’s Stand

  • EU sought India’s support for the treaty, to which India has so far not responded.

Criticism

  • The push for this treaty distracts from the demands of the developing world for better access to vaccines and treatments.
  • It tries to create a narrative that a lack of rules prevented the world from mounting an effective international response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • It is an attempt to overshadow efforts like the TRIPS waiver proposal and the demands to improve public health infrastructure and replenish the WHO’s resources.
  • There is no legal vacuum for a new treaty as International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, which were adopted under Article 21 of the WHO Constitution to prevent the international spread of disease is already present.
  • Perceived deficiencies in the existing response to the COVID-19 pandemic exist not because of the absence of law but due to its poor implementation.
  • A new treaty will also allow the richer member-states to decide whether to become party to each of these separate instruments thus weakening the IHR provisions.

World Health Assembly (WHA74)

  • The 74th meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA74) is taking place virtually in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The 2021 event is focused on the theme, 'Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world'.
  • It is organized by WHO.
  • The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to
    • determine the policies of the Organization
    • appoint the Director-General
    • supervise financial policies
    • review and approve the proposed programme budget
  • The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

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