Curb Private Sector Participation In The Treaty-Making Process: Some Member States At WHO

Newsletter Edition #002 [Treaty Talks]

Hi,

Process defines outcome. Form follows function. One often hears these pithy assessments in the ongoing discussions at WHO for a new instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.

With deliberations finally underway, it is instructive to see how the rules of the game are being defined. At the latest meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on March 14-15, some member states have sought to limit direct private sector participation in these discussions.

Our story today, looks at these important deliberations and also takes stock of other parallel processes that will come to inform and influence the INB deliberations in the coming months.

Welcome to the second edition of the Treaty Talks.

The Treaty Talks series, will consistently and systematically follow up on treaty discussions at WHO, but also reflect wider conversations that will influence these negotiations. Write to us if you wish to financially support this reporting project, and if you want to contribute with your insights and perspectives on these negotiations.

Until next week!

Priti

p.s. In our previous edition of the Treaty Talks, we had erroneously published that Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes (Brazil) had been appointed as one of the co-chairs of the Bureau. We regret the error and have rectified since, that he has been appointed as one of the vice-chairs.

Feel free to write to us: patnaik.reporting@gmail.com or genevahealthfiles@protonmail.com; Follow us on Twitter: @filesgeneva

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STORY OF THE WEEK

Curb Private Sector Participation In The Treaty-Making Process: Some Member States At WHO  

[Update from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body]

In a significant move, some member states at WHO have expressed caution and have sought to limit the participation of the private sector in the negotiations for new rules on pandemic preparedness and response. Last week, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) met at the resumed session of its first meeting on March 14-15. The INB was set up earlier this year, to work towards a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, following the Special Session of the World Health Assembly in November 2021.

These efforts to limit the direct participation of the private sector in these discussions can, to a certain extent, insulate these key deliberations from the influence of powerful stakeholders such as the pharma industry and others, some countries hope.

Photo by Anni Roenkae: Pexels