Climate & Health

Keywords for the next pandemic: accountability, equity, solidarity

Chief among the questions over a proposed pandemic treaty is an "accountability gap" that undermines the proposed treaty's potential, an independent coalition of global leaders said.

, and John Heilprin

February 3, 2023 . 5:28 PM

2 min read

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, left, and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speak to reporters at WHO’s headquarters (AN/J. Heilprin)

GENEVA (AN) — As the world starts jockeying over a pandemic treaty, some themes rise to the forefront: What's enforceable? How can we ensure fairness? Will nations pull together?

Chief among these questions is an "accountability gap" that undermines the proposed treaty's potential, an independent coalition of global leaders said on Friday.

The draft to kickstart negotiations, released earlier this week by the World Health Organization's intergovernmental negotiating body, is rooted in WHO's constitution and the 2007 International Health Regulations that are legally binding on 196 nations.