World Leaders Call for International Treaty on Future Pandemics

(Bloomberg) -- The international community should work on a treaty for pandemic preparedness after the global Covid-19 outbreak exposed weaknesses in the system, according to an article signed by world leaders.

The main goal of the accord would be to ensure what the World Health Organization, one of the signatories, has called for throughout the pandemic: a collective approach across governments and societies that would make the world more resilient in future outbreaks.

Read more: WHO, Nations’ Covid Response Hampered by Politics, Reviewer Says

The push comes as many countries in Europe institute tighter lockdown measures amid a resurgence of Covid cases. In the U.S., the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned of “impending doom” amid a new wave of infections.

“At a time when Covid-19 has exploited our weaknesses and divisions, we must seize this opportunity and come together as a global community for peaceful cooperation that extends beyond this crisis,” according to the op-ed. “Building our capacities and systems to do this will take time and require a sustained political, financial and societal commitment over many years.”

International cooperation will be needed to improve alert systems, data-sharing, research and the production and distribution of medical items like vaccines or personal protective equipment. The letter was published Tuesday ahead of a media briefing with European Council President Charles Michel.

Such a move could give the WHO more power, which so far has been operating on the principles of the International Health Regulations, which are not technically enforceable. In November, Helen Clark, one of the leaders of an independent panel evaluating the world’s response to the pandemic, said the WHO needs greater freedom from politics to fight global health crises.

The treaty would be added to the WHO’s constitution, and may lead to more mutual accountability and transparency, the letter said.

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