UN rights chief hails draft pandemic accord as milestone for equitable global health

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights chief on Thursday welcomed the consensus reached on a draft pandemic agreement, calling it a key milestone in multilateral cooperation and a crucial step toward a more equitable and rights-based global health response.

"The consensus on a draft pandemic agreement is an important achievement in multilateral cooperation and a vital step toward ensuring a more equitable, just and rights-based global health response to future pandemics," Volker Turk said in a statement.

He praised the international community’s ability to unite with shared purpose, shaped by the lessons of "profound loss" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While compromises were made to reach this draft agreement, it contains some encouraging elements to lay the ground for a more inclusive and just approach to pandemic prevention. I encourage States to ensure these are now translated into concrete action," he said.

Turk emphasized the importance of placing equity, solidarity, and human rights at the core of future global health strategies.

"Let us take this opportunity to place equity, solidarity and human rights at the heart of global health prevention, preparedness and response – a need so starkly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

After more than three years of negotiations, World Health Organization (WHO) member states reached a milestone in pandemic preparedness by finalizing a draft pandemic agreement, the UN agency announced on Wednesday. The proposal will be presented at the 78th World Health Assembly in May for consideration.