WHO ‘Pandemic Treaty’ Draft Reaffirms Nations’ Sovereignty to Dictate Health Policy
SciCheck Digest
Members of the World Health Organization are in the process of developing a new agreement to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics. A preliminary draft presented in February reaffirms nations’ sovereign right to make their own health policies during global pandemics, contrary to false claims online.
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An intergovernmental negotiating body formed by member states of the World Health Organization is gathering this week to continue the discussions on a new pandemic-related agreement.
WHO members acknowledged the need for what the organization called “a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response” in 2021, although whether the agreement will formally be a treaty, which requires approval by the Senate, remains to be seen. In a preliminary draft presented by the WHO on Feb. 1, members recognized the “catastrophic failure of the international community in showing solidarity and equity in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.”
The 32-page draft, also known as the “Zero Draft,” proposes mechanisms to prevent and prepare for future pandemics, while ensuring a better coordinated response and equal access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. The draft, by June.
