The members of the World Health Organization concurred on the draft version of a significant agreement aimed at managing potential future pandemics. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of WHO, stated that "multilateral cooperation remains robust and thriving."

Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday finalized a historic agreement to prepare the world for future pandemics after discussions that lasted for more than three years.

The proposal will now be reviewed at the upcoming meeting of the World Health Assembly — which serves as the deciding assembly for the international health organization — scheduled for May.

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the draft agreement illustrates "that multilateralism remains vibrant and strong, and shows that even in our fragmented world, countries have the ability to collaborate effectively, reaching consensus on responses to global challenges."

What does the proposed WHO pandemic treaty include?

The Pandemic Agreement outlines strategies to combat pandemics and strengthen international cooperation, in response to the disorder witnessed during the coronavirus crisis.

A controversial aspect during the discussions centered around Article 11, which addresses the issue of transfer of medical techologies to developing nations.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, developing nations criticized wealthier countries for stockpiling vaccines and testing kits. Nations possessing substantial pharmaceutical sectors have strongly resisted the notion of compulsory technology transfers.

On Wednesday, an accord was reached which involved a concession stating that any transfer should only occur with mutual consent.

The agreement's text suggests measures like developing a framework for accessing pathogens and sharing benefits. It also encompasses a "One Health approach" aimed at preventing pandemics along with plans to create a worldwide supply chain and logistics network.

Honoring the sovereign rights of nations

Confirming the authority of countries to handle public health issues within their territories is likewise one of the main pillars of this proposal.

A flood of false information and misleading claims circulated about the treaty, including false claims that the WHO might encroach upon the states' autonomy by assuming the authority to enforce lockdowns and vaccination requirements.

According to the proposal, "no part of this draft agreement should be construed as granting WHO the power to instruct, command, change, or establish national laws or policies, nor will it compel states to undertake particular steps like prohibiting or admitting travelers, enforcing vaccine requirements or implementing therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, or enacting lockdowns," stated the international health organization in an official release.

This accord would become binding solely for countries deciding to endorse it.

"When multilateralism is facing challenges, the member states of the World Health Organization have united to declare that we will overcome future pandemics only through collaboration," stated Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and co-chair of the WHO’s Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

Edited by: Zac Crellin

Author: Dharvi Vaid (with Reuters, dpa, and AFP contributions)