WHO: is the Pandemic Accord a good move?
After the traumatic experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 194 member countries of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have agreed on a treaty aimed at improving responses to future pandemics, for example in the procurement and distribution of protective equipment and vaccines. Commentators assess its prospects of success.
Significant multilateral progress
The entire world has taken a step forward with this agreement, Le Temps comments with approval:
“It establishes a system for accessing information on pathogens with the possibility of compensation for countries that share such data. This is fundamental. Rapid transmission of the genetic sequence of a new virus to health and scientific authorities can ensure a better response to a new epidemic and boost the capacity to quickly develop vaccines. The multilateral success achieved in Geneva also finally confirms the central role of the WHO in public health. Recently forced to cut its spending by 20 percent, the UN agency has gained recognition based on an indisputable fact: global health can only be a collective endeavour.”
We must see ourselves as a species
More coordination is needed in health crises, stresses the Kleine Zeitung:
“The focus should be on prevention and functioning supply chains, and knowledge about the production of medicines and vaccines should be shared more widely. Certain parts of the agreement are vaguely worded. However, it clearly states that this only applies in countries whose parliaments have ratified it. And: the WHO still won't be able to order lockdowns, travel bans or vaccinations in future. From now on, pandemics should activate the solidarity muscle - not least regarding the Global South. And create awareness that we can best handle a global pandemic - alongside rational national health policy! - if we see ourselves as one species: clearly a difficult exercise.”
The times of selfishness are not yet over
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung remains sceptical:
“The treaty must be ratified by the states - and it's hard to predict who will go along with it at the end of this complex process. There are also doubts as to whether the promises of more exchange of information and fairness will be honoured when it comes to lockdowns and how many vaccines a government sends abroad. In a crisis, many people look after themselves first - and the times of selfishness are not over.”