Pressure To Conclude Pandemic Agreement Mounts, But Countries Hold Onto Positions [Update INB9]

Newsletter Edition #76 [Treaty Talks]

Hi,

The negotiations among 194 WHO member states towards a new Pandemic Agreement is the stuff of dreams for Game Theory geeks.

There are interests, comparative advantages to be matched, over a layer of geopolitics and other bilateral considerations. There is positioning that gets reflected ad infinitum, as a result, it is hard for countries to read real intent. Countries continue to be steadfast in protecting their interests.

In today’s story we bring you the state of play in these discussions at the ongoing meeting of Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, unfolding in Geneva.

Thank you for reading.

A special thanks to readers who are appreciative of our coverage on these negotiations. Your feedback matters during these seemingly interminable hours of writing. Consider becoming a reader who values original reporting, help absorb some of our production costs, subscribe to us today!

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Watch out for further updates from us as these set of marathon negotiations wind down later this week.

Until later.

Best,

Priti

Feel free to write to us: patnaik.reporting@gmail.com. Follow us on X: @filesgeneva

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Illustration Credit: Amy Clarke, Chembe Collaborative

I. ANALYSIS: INB9

Pressure To Conclude Pandemic Agreement Mounts, But Countries Hold Onto Positions

To prevent failure, an Agreement-Lite is an option, sources suggest. Divergences remain, negotiations yet to begin in earnest

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As the unforgiving clock ticks away, WHO member states are under increasing pressure to conclude negotiations towards a new Pandemic Agreement, and yet many countries seem determined to hold on to their positions. This shows the high stakes and the now-never game that these discussions have come to represent.

Even as countries line up behind their cherished interests, greater surveillance and obligations on preparedness for many developed countries, and fairer response obligations for the developing world, negotiators continue to grapple with process concerns - an indication of the power dynamics underpinning these negotiations.

Since progress has not been as quick as the timeline demands, there are emerging indications that a resumed session of the current meeting may be convened in the last week of April with a view to swiftly conclude the negotiations to make the May 2024 deadline. Pending convergence on a variety of difficult issues related to surveillance and response measures, it appears the risk of a weak agreement driven by political expediency has never been higher, according to diplomatic sources.

At this half-way mark of the current meeting of the intergovernmental negotiating body, we bring you this story that looks at process, politics and provisions. This is based on multiple conversations with diplomats, experts, stakeholders and our own analysis that tries to connect the trail of motivations to bring you this complex, evolving picture.

Image Credit: Photo by Kristaps Ungurs, Pexels