Americas States Attend Global Pandemic Accord Meeting

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) convened countries of the Americas for a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss progress in the negotiations for a possible future global pandemic accord. The objective of the two-day meeting last week was to review the fundamental components of the draft document to be presented this may for World Health Assembly (WHA) approval. The process to draft and negotiate a new accord is led by World Health Organization (WHO) Member States and seeks to strengthen preparedness and response to future pandemics through an instrument that will foster greater global collaboration and political commitment. Speaking via video at the meeting, PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa stressed that the participation of countries of the Americas in deliberations is “crucial” to ensure that a future agreement takes into account their needs and characteristics. In addition, he added that the agreement should ensure fair and equitable access to treatment, vaccines, and personal protective equipment during the next pandemic. “A new instrument represents a unique opportunity to protect future generations,” he emphasized. The meeting, convened by the PAHO Director, brought together representatives from Ministries of Health from countries in the Americas and their diplomatic missions to the United Nations in...