Seventy-fourth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia
Nepal, 6-10 September 2021
WHO Director General calls for a treaty for global cooperation on pandemic preparedness and response
Opening the Seventy Fourth Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia from the G20 Health Ministers’ meeting in Rome, the WHO Director General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed sadness at the more than 41 million cases of COVID-19 reported from the region; and, the loss of more than 646,000 lives, acknowledging these numbers are likely to be under-reported.
Dr Tedros noted the development of several safe and effective vaccines in record time has given the world real hope of bringing the pandemic under control. However, he expressed disappointment at the inequitable distribution of vaccines. SEAR accounts for 26 percent of the global population but has received only 16 per cent of COVID-19 vaccination doses. Between now and the end of the year, WHO hopes to provide more than 500 million doses to SEARO countries through COVAX.
WHO requested support of SEAR Member States for a treaty on pandemic preparedness and response at the Special Session of the World Health Assembly in November. This would provide a much-needed foundation for global cooperation, setting the rules of the game for a more coherent and coordinated response to future epidemics and pandemics.
Dr Tedros also invited experts from SEAR to join the Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of Novel Pathogens or SAGO through the currently open call for membership. SAGO, has been established as a more systematic way of identifying the source of new outbreaks.
Dr Tedros reminded that we must not neglect other essential services. He noted that last year, millions of children missed out on vaccines against preventable diseases because of disruptions to essential health services.
Dr Tedros ended with four specific requests from Member States:
First, a commitment to stay the course with the proven public health and social measures to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Not vaccines alone, not masks alone, not distancing or hand hygiene or ventilation alone. Let’s do it all.
Second, to invest in local production of vaccines and other health products, as part of investment in pandemic preparedness and response.
Third, he reiterated the request for support for an international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response e.g. a treaty.
Fourth, support for building a stronger WHO that is empowered and financed sustainably.