Civil society organizations (CSOs) have voiced significant concerns regarding the latest proposal for the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement.
In a statement released on Thursday, CSO officials highlighted the inequities embedded in the current draft of the world’s first accord designed to prevent the global health, economic, and social impacts of future pandemics like COVID-19.
This agreement was initially expected to be signed by WHO member states by the beginning of June, following the commencement of work in December 2021. However, the deadline has been extended due to disagreements arising during negotiations.
Michael Weinstein, President of the global NGO AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), criticized the treaty, stating that it lacks transparency, accountability, and equity. “Its core principle is extreme greed and selfishness perpetuated by the rich countries, protecting multinational drug companies at the expense of the rest of the world,” he said in a statement.
Under the present terms of the agreement, 20% of pandemic-related health products are guaranteed to the WHO in the event of a pandemic. Weinstein argued that this arrangement leaves 80% of crucial vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics vulnerable to the international scramble seen during COVID-19.
Weinstein further criticized the draft treaty as reminiscent of colonialism, where developing nations are expected to provide natural resources such as pathogens while wealthier countries sell back vaccines and medicines at unaffordable prices. “Fortress Europe is a crazy notion. It didn’t work for COVID, and it won’t work against the next pathogen,” he said. “This treaty offers not even a single slice of bread, just crumbs. The position of the wealthy nations is a dangerous disgrace that must be rejected.”
Nikos Dedes, the Founder of Positive Voice from Greece, warned of the continuous cycle of inequality and poverty driving pandemics. He pointed out that both COVID-19 and the HIV/AIDS crisis have shown how easily pathogens can travel from animals to humans and from the south to the north. According to him, unequal access to health services increases vulnerability to transmission and undermines people’s dignity and rights.
Loretta Wong, Alternate Board Member of the Global North CSO on the Pandemic Fund Governance Board from the UK, emphasized the need for a robust financial mechanism. “Each year, the world needs about $10.5 billion for pandemic preparedness and response. We need a fully funded financial mechanism that can leverage existing institutions like the Pandemic Fund and the Global Fund,” she explained.
CSOs propose that, instead of placing WHO at the steering wheel, there should be an independent oversight body that is politically, financially, technically, and operationally independent, along with a clear enforcement framework with incentives and disincentives for compliance. They argue that incomplete compliance with existing treaties, such as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the International Health Regulations (IHR), has already contributed to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the most contentious issues in this accord remain details around pathogen access and the benefits system, where wealthier nations that manufacture vaccines and treatments appear to be at a significant advantage.
The accord is expected to be completed this year. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the mandate of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has been extended to allow them to conclude the agreement, with the next World Health Assembly set as the final deadline.