From Fortune:

Future generations may not forgive the World Health Organization’s member nations if they fail to agree on a pandemic treaty. The organization’s chief says the treaty is “mission critical for humanity.”

Due to the unpreparedness for the next pandemic, WHO’s Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the world could face another public health crisis like COVID-19.

The poorest countries suffered in the COVID-19 pandemic due to unpreparedness. Director General Ghebreyesus stresses the importance of equitable access to necessary supplies.

The WHO member states have agreed to develop an international agreement on pandemic preparation and response to become international law, according to Ghebreyesus.

Despite the extensive consultations and public hearings, two major obstacles stand in the way of an agreement, said Ghebreyesus.

The agreement aims to affirm nations’ sovereignty and afford the ability to withdraw at any time for signing parties.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, states that the international pandemic treaty needs to have “teeth” and be held accountable to be effective.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist, believes an international treaty is critical for preparing and responding to future pandemics. However, he has concerns about intellectual property rights being undermined in the name of pandemic preparedness.



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