Will the world miss its last chance to prevent future pandemics? Final talks underway

Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - A nurse wearing protective gear comforts another as they change shifts on March 13, 2020 at the Cremona hospital, in Milan, during the Covid-19 pandemic. — AFP pic

GENEVA, April 11 — The outcome of years-long negotiations on a global agreement to tackle future pandemics remains in doubt ahead of a final deadline on Friday.

Five years after Covid-19 killed millions — and with new health threats lurking, from H5N1 bird flu to measles, mpox and Ebola — pressure is mounting for a landmark deal on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

“Having a framework that brings nations together and plans for the next pandemic will save thousands if not millions of lives,” insisted WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan.

But President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization and his large-scale dismantling of US health institutes is a new threat to the global health risk surveillance system, experts warn.

“It’s now or never,” said Sueri Moon, co-director of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

In December 2021, WHO member states resolved to seek a deal aimed at preventing and preparing for future pandemics, to avoid the mistakes made during Covid.

Major disputes have slowed negotiations, including on how to share data on dangerous pathogens, and whether the transfer of technology and know-how to produce vaccines, tests and treatments should be mandatory or voluntary.

‘Unpredictable’

After 13 rounds of discussions, countries have been meeting at the WHO headquarters in Geneva for final negotiations this week, with a Friday night deadline to iron out remaining problems.

The aim is to have a text ready for final approval during the WHO’s annual assembly next month.

“The member states are working very hard,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on Thursday, adding: “I hope they will reach a deal.”

Ryan added that the negotiators were “making steady progress. But there are difficult issues on the table.”

This photograph taken on December 2, 2021, shows a sign of the the World Health Organization (WHO) next to theirs headquarters, in Geneva. — AFP pic

The number of disputed issues has steadily shrunk in recent months, with observers saying the main sticking point now is “political will.”

The outcome is “unpredictable”, a diplomatic source told AFP.

“Substantial progress” has been made on the draft text, “but differences remain on some key articles,” China’s mission in Geneva told AFP, calling on all parties to “display mutual understanding” to secure an agreement that is “meaningful, equitable and actionable.”

‘Very important’

A new extension of the talks until May is possible, with NGOs and experts urging countries to compromise.

“It’s very important to reach this agreement, even with a sub-optimal text,” said Ellen ‘t Hoen, director of the Medicines Law and Policy NGO.

“That is much more preferable than having to negotiate such an agreement from scratch, because that will likely only happen after the next pandemic hits, and that would be an unacceptable situation.”

Among the remaining sticking points are a so-called Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS) proposed in the text.

The proposal calls for participating companies to provide the WHO with “rapid access” to 20 per cent of their production of pandemic-related health products, including “at least 10 per cent of their real-time production” in the form of donations.

Some countries, especially producer states, have meanwhile balked at what they consider high thresholds.

While the talks could in theory continue even after next month’s assembly, there is widespread concern that if the process drags on, the political will to conclude a deal would dissipate.

If that happens, “it will probably be too late,” Moon said.

“The wind will go out of the sails.” — AFP