Just like 22 other countries, the Netherlands is behind the conclusion of an international pandemic treaty. Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a call for the treaty on Tuesday, which should lead to improvements in pandemic preparedness and response.
International cooperation in the field of early warning systems, information exchange and research must be strengthened through the Convention. The local, regional and global production and distribution of vaccines, medicines, diagnostic tools and personal protective equipment must also be improved. The convention should be anchored in the Act of Establishment of the WHO health organization.
“There will be other pandemics and other serious health crises. No government or multilateral body can deal with this threat alone,” affirm German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The convention was proposed by WHO CEO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and EU President Charles Michel.
‘International support for pandemic treaty grows’
More and more countries are behind the plan, says Michel, who suggested the idea in November and then discussed it with Ghebreyesus. The presidents of Indonesia, South Africa and South Korea, among others, also put their signature on the piece. “Our weaknesses and our divisions have given COVID-19 free rein. So we must seize this opportunity and unite,” said the leaders.
They want to build “a more robust international health architecture” to protect future generations. “The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us in a powerful and painful way that no one is safe until everyone is safe.”
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