WHO agrees legally binding pandemic treaty

The World Health Organization, commonly known as WHO, has reached a significant agreement regarding a new treaty aimed at improving global responses to future pandemics. This treaty is designed to prevent the chaos and competition for resources that were evident during the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the primary objectives of this treaty is to ensure the rapid sharing of information about emerging diseases. This will enable scientists and pharmaceutical companies to collaborate more effectively and develop treatments and vaccines in a timely manner. For the first time, the WHO will also have oversight of global supply chains for essential items such as masks, medical gowns, and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO, described this agreement as a 'significant milestone in our shared journey towards a safer world. ' He emphasized that the member states have shown that multilateralism is still alive and that nations can unite to address common threats, even in a divided world. The legally binding treaty was finalized after three years of negotiations among member states. This marks only the second time in the 75-year history of the WHO that such an international agreement has been established, the first being a tobacco control treaty in 2003. However, the treaty still requires formal adoption by member states during the upcoming World Health Assembly next month. Notably, US negotiators were absent from the final discussions after President Donald Trump announced the country's withdrawal from the WHO, meaning the US will not be bound by the treaty when it officially exits in 2026. Under the terms of the agreement, countries are obligated to ensure that pandemic-related medications are accessible worldwide during future outbreaks. Manufacturers participating in the treaty will be required to allocate 10% of their production of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to the WHO. Additionally, another 10% will be provided at affordable prices. The agreement also includes provisions for the transfer of health technologies to lower-income nations, provided that such transfers are mutually agreed upon. This is intended to facilitate local production of vaccines and medicines during pandemics, although this aspect of the treaty has been contentious. Developing countries have expressed frustration over how wealthier nations hoarded vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic, while countries with significant pharmaceutical industries are concerned that mandatory technology transfers could hinder research and development efforts. At the heart of the agreement is a proposed Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS), which aims to streamline the exchange of data between pharmaceutical companies. This system is expected to enable quicker development of new drugs in response to any future outbreaks.