A key decision point at WHA77 is the form of ongoing negotiations
The INB Bureau proposed a new combined team
It's vital to keep the wisdom of Bureau chairs, but also inject new energy & ideas, as Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said

Let's build on agreed text & find consensus on key issues like PABS

WHA77 still deciding how long to extend Pandemic Accord mandate
USG wants 1-2 years more. I love USG negotiators, but disagree on long drawn out negotiations. It's a recipe for paralysis & delays action on equity
The IHR may be delayed as well, a major setback for health security

Africa moving to unified position on Pandemic Accord at WHA77:
1) Retain agreed text
2) Can’t divorce Accord from IHR
3) Retain the same Bureau
4) Further negotiations must be short & defined

I applaud its position but please don’t hold the IHR hostage to the Pandemic Accord

It’s a joy to see my dear friend Winnnie Mpanju-Shumbusho on the sidelines of WHA
We discussed Africa’s position on the Pandemic Agreement
AU health ministers will meet tomorrow to consider strategies for ongoing negotiations
Rich countries must know that equity is non-negotiable

At WHA77, World Health Organization (WHO) launches first ever investment round, aiming to raise $11.1b for next 4 years: $4b from member dues & $7.1b from states & the private sector
I applaud Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for building sustainable funding. WHO has been badly underfunded & has control over just ¼ of its budget

I worry that the breakdown of trust in Pandemic Accord negotiations will make the world more vulnerable. When the next pandemic hits, international cooperation may erode. Even less sharing of scientific data & benefits could prove disastrous. Let’s get consensus soonest

. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tells WHA he’s confident the Pandemic Agreement will be finalized. WHA is likely to extend the mandate for negotiations for 5-24 months. US diplomats want to find consensus but think it’ll take 1-2 years. If Biden loses the White House, the US will surely pull out

The INB will present its report to WHA Tuesday afternoon. A lot of the draft treaty text is green lighted. WHA should extend the mandate for negotiations to conclude 6-12 months from now. Global health with justice is too important to give up.

Here’s our take on the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement w/ Dr Alexandra Phelan

STAT

I’m in Geneva to continue support for the Treaty and IHR

statnews.com/2024/05/27/pan…

I’m in Genève where WHA will make decisions vital to global health. I urge World Health Organization (WHO) to:

Put the Pandemic Accord on fast track (6-12 months)

Adopt IHR reforms now

Give a clear mandate for a PABS mechanism

Agree on a legal path for One Health

What next for Pandemic Accord & IHR? No one knows for sure. But the likeliest outcome is to extend the negotiation mandate

One view is the Accord & IHR must sail together. And there are deep connections & definitions in common

Still, I hope the IHR (2024) is adopted now

DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a brave leader of World Health Organization (WHO)

“My wish is that we will come out of the Health Assembly re-energized and inspired, because the world still needs a pandemic treaty and the world needs to be prepared…. I am still positive despite the outcome… this is not a failure”.

“This treaty is the most important thing in my lifetime,” says #GeorgetownLaw professor Lawrence Gostin of O'Neill Institute, who studies global health law and has followed the pandemic treaty process closely. Read more from NPR's Goats and Soda: n.pr/44T7Ph3

After 2 years of work, I'll be honest. I was disappointed the WHA won't adopt a World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Accord

But I'm an optimist. There's enough progress & good will to get this done in 6-12 months. As Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, it's not a failure

I also hope to celebrate adoption of a new IHR

Countries Fail to Agree on Treaty to Prepare the World for the Next Pandemic nytimes.com/2024/05/24/hea…

A strong recap of the process and issues on the Pandemic Accord. Great journalism Apoorva Mandavilli

INB for Pandemic Accord came close but couldn't reach consensus. Likely outcomes:

The Accord won't be adopted by WHA 2024 but an extended mandate either for

WHA Special Session in six months, or
Adoption at WHA 2025

This makes the US elections critical

Trump could torpedo it

Greatest casualty of UK election is end of a historic tobacco ban for future generations It would have saved countless lives & inspire bans worldwide

A global pandemic treaty is in sight: don’t scupper it nature.com/articles/d4158…

An urgent call for WHO member states to succeed on the Pandemic Agreement

Robust equity remains the sticking point on the Pandemic Accord. Major pushback on 'voluntary' & “mutually agreed terms” b/c Pharma imposes unjust terms on LMICs. Compulsory licenses in ph emergencies (already agreed under TRIPS) are a better option & could be a landing point

Global health negotiations of this historic importance cry out for transparency and deep civil society engagement. That is good for WHO and it is good for the negotiating process.