Yesterday, at the eighth session of the Working Group on the Amendment of the International Health Regulations (WGIHR), suspended until 16 May, IHR Parties took a major step towards agreeing a package of proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations. I took a step. The World Health Assembly will be held from May 27th to June 1st.
The amendments, proposed by IHR Parties to strengthen the international community's capacity to detect and respond to pandemic threats in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, are scheduled for finalization starting May 16. Further discussion is expected at the eighth session, which resumes on the 17th. An agreed package to be submitted to the World Health Assembly in May for consideration and, if agreed, formally adopted.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “The International Health Regulations have been the cornerstone of global health security for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to make them fit for purpose. “The International Health Regulations have shown that the International Health Regulations need to be strengthened in some areas.” “Countries are seizing this historic opportunity to protect future generations from the effects of epidemics and pandemics, with a focus on equity and solidarity.”
The 8th session of the Working Group on IHR Reform (WGIHR) began on 22 April and was adjourned today. While this process is taking place in parallel with the negotiation of the world's first Pandemic Agreement, which strengthens global cooperation between governments to prepare for, prevent and respond to pandemics, WGIHR8 In May, two separate resolutions were proposed to be submitted to the World Health Assembly. Negotiations on the pandemic agreement will resume on April 29 and continue until May 10.
At the WGIHR's eighth session, Parties reached agreement on key areas and made significant progress toward finalizing the proposed amendments.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Co-Chair of WGIHR, said: “Efforts to strengthen global defenses against public health emergencies and risks through the agreement of a stronger set of International Health Regulations will address the risks and perceptions that our highly interconnected world faces today. and preparedness as many countries seek to strengthen protection for their citizens. ”
WGIHR Co-Chair Dr. Abdullah Asiri said the proposed amendments to the IHR were easily implementable and recognized the importance of equity in ensuring an effective global response.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world that viruses with pandemic potential do not respect national borders,” Dr. Asiri said. “The amendments to the International Health Regulations will enable collective defense against current and future public health risks to better protect people's health, societies and economies, while firmly respecting and adhering to the principle of national sovereignty. It reflects the important need to strengthen.”
The eighth session of the WGHIR will resume with a two-day final session on 16 and 17 May to continue and conclude the work of the Working Group in accordance with its mandate from the Health Assembly.
The IHR has 196 States Parties, comprising all 194 WHO Member States plus Liechtenstein and the Holy See. These Parties have led the process to amend the IHR. The Regulations are negotiated under Article 21 of the WHO Constitution. Any amendments, except those that notify the WHO Director-General of rejection or suspension, will become effective for all Parties after a certain period of time.
