WASHINGTON: The claim that a pandemic prevention treaty has been abandoned is false. The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively working on drafting one. The WHO has scrapped its controversial Pandemic Treaty in response to widespread public criticism and discourse, several social media posts claimed.
However, WHO spokesperson Fadéla Chaib has clarified via email to the media that this claim is untrue. The posts refer to a WHO treaty for international pandemic preparedness, which is scheduled to conclude in May.
Chaib explained that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body plans to finalize the draft pandemic agreement during a resumed 9th session from April 29 to May 10. Afterward, it will be presented to the World Health Assembly, the WHO’s decision-making forum, for adoption in May 2024.
The latest draft agreement, released on April 22, is accessible on the WHO website. It emphasizes states’ primary responsibility for their citizens’ health and designates the WHO as the leading authority for international health cooperation, among other key points.
