A special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) began today, 29 November, and will continue to 1 December 2021. It was called for in a decision adopted by the Member States at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly: Decision WHA74(16) to allow Member States to consider the following single substantive agenda item:
Consideration of the benefits of developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response with a view towards the establishment of an intergovernmental process to draft and negotiate such a convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response, taking into account the report of the Working Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies.
Dr Asela Gunawardena, Sri Lanka’s Director General of Health Services, met with Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization on 28 November, prior to the formal opening of the WHA. They discussed the COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka, including the country’s effective vaccination efforts. Dr Tedros also thanked Dr Asela for Sri Lanka's leadership in addressing pesticide poisoning in the region and proactively addressing the rise of non-communicable diseases.
The Special Session of the World Health Assembly is using a hybrid format, where up to two delegates from each Member State may be physically present at WHO Headquarters, and the rest of the delegation may participate virtually. The sessions will be public and webcast on WHO channels.