World Health Assembly reaches landmark deal on International Health Regulations

The World Health Assembly (WHA) reached what it describes as an ‘historic’ agreement on revisions to the International Health Regulations (IHR), but a Pandemic Agreement proved out of reach.

“The world made history at the World Health Assembly negotiations. After two years of negotiations, it has adopted a strong package of amendments based on the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organisation Director-General, said on  Saturday (1 June). 

The amendments aim to improve countries’ ability to respond to future outbreaks and pandemics by strengthening their own national capacities, and coordination on disease surveillance, information sharing and responses.

Pandemic Emergency

There is a new definition of pandemic emergency, which goes beyond the current ‘public health emergency of international concern’ (PHEIC) alert. Co-Chair of the Working Group on Amendments to the IHR, Dr Ashley Bloomfield of New Zealand, said  “it allows international action to prevent a full-blown pandemic.”

In addition to PHEIC criteria, a pandemic emergency will be an alert that a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response may be needed, requiring a more systematic, fast and comprehensive response.

A more equitable response

Though the separate negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement (PA) foundered over finding more equitable solutions between lower income and high income countries, the new health regulation (IHR) establishes the idea of a ‘coordinating financing mechanism’, which would facilitate timely and equitable access to relevant health products based on public health needs.

New deadline for pandemic treaty

The WHA agreed to extend the mandate of the International Negotiating Body (INB) on the PA with a deadline of the next health assembly in 2025, or if possible, at an earlier special session in 2024. 

Though progress has made on the PA, some contentious issues still have not been resolved. In a statement, the European Commission said it will build on the tangible progress in the negotiations of the last two years, creating a more equitable global healthcare architecture. 

European Commission health spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker said the EU was already making considerable efforts in addressing inequalities. 

“There was a clear consensus amongst all member states on the need for a further instrument to help the world fight a full-blown pandemic better,” said Ms Precious Matsoso of South Africa, co-chair of both the Pandemic Accord Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB). 

Following the WHA, Matsoso speaking at a press conference, acknowledged Intellectual Property Rights had been an area of disagreement for years. But stressed there was “possible language” that could be acceptable, and how to apply them to the PA. She was hopeful that areas where there were gaps, such as research and development, funding and private finances options will be discussed.  

What’s next?

The negotiators for the PA will meet again in July.

For the IHR amendments, discussions will return to the national level, where each country will decide to accept or opt out of the new rules. These rules will come into force a year after notification.

For the full report on the outcomes of the World Health Assembly, click here.

[Edited by Rajnish Singh]

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