The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) commenced a series of meetings on Monday to discuss the future pandemic instrument’s key components and implications for the region, along with proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005).
Attended by officials from PAHO’s 35 member states, including Caribbean nations, the meetings aim to foster information sharing, enhance comprehension, and facilitate consensus. Both processes, driven and led by the World Health Organization (WHO), seek to prevent the recurrence of the health, social, and economic impacts experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Promoting collaboration and exchange for global pandemic readiness
The ultimate goal is to ensure global readiness to prevent or respond to future pandemics through increased collaboration, exchange, and high-level political commitment.
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, emphasized the significance of this opportunity for member states to approve a new instrument and amendments to the IHR-2005, laying the foundation for a safer world for all of humanity.
In a video message at the opening of the meeting, he stressed the importance of active engagement and alignment between member states’ capitals and permanent missions in Geneva.
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Representatives from the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs of the Americas will participate in the ongoing second meeting convened by the PAHO Director until Wednesday. Its purpose is to facilitate their meaningful participation in the deliberations. The meeting also includes members of countries’ permanent missions to the United Nations in Geneva and the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington.
In December 2021, the World Health Assembly established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument within the framework of the WHO Constitution. This initiative aims to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, with the intention of submitting it for approval in 2024.
Last year, a working group of member states was created by the World Health Assembly to examine proposed amendments to the IHR, a legally binding agreement that aims to prevent the international spread of diseases. Previous amendments to the IHR were made in 2014, extending the validity of the yellow fever vaccination certificate for life, and in 2022, reducing the duration of entry into force for future amendments from 24 to 12 months.
Preparations for INB and IHR Working Group meetings
These meetings in Washington serve as preparation for the sixth meeting of the INB (July 17-21) and the fourth meeting of the IHR Working Group (July 24-28).
During these gatherings, delegates from all WHO member countries will engage in comprehensive discussions, chapter by chapter, on the preliminary draft pandemic instrument, as well as proposed amendments to the IHR (2005).
PAHO emphasized that an effective pandemic agreement, built on solidarity among nations, is expected to equip health personnel worldwide better for future pandemics and ensure a more equitable production and distribution of vaccines and other medical products.
Additionally, the agreement aims to enhance early detection and response measures against potential pandemic pathogens and improve the response capabilities of health, laboratory, and research services, among other objectives.
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