G20 reiterates the urgency for an international instrument to prepare for and respond to pandemics

Brasil-Led G20 discussions emphasize the urgency of a binding treaty at the United Nations (UN) to guarantee equitable global health access and capacities to prevent future pandemics. Funding mechanisms are also advocated to ensure that countries with small and medium-sized economies can deal with future crises.

The world has witnessed more than 7 million deaths from Covid-19 and faces the challenge of seeking collaborative measures among countries to ensure preparedness for potential future pandemics. Within the G20, discussions led by the Brazilian presidency are advancing efforts to enhance deliberations within the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the establishment of a convention, agreement or other binding international instrument focused on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. 

"The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities. It has set back decades of progress in terms of economic and social development. The world is still mitigating this setback. At the same time, we also recognize that the next pandemic is not a question of if, it's a question of when. Factors such as climate change, food insecurity, conflict, and migration further heighten the risk of future health crises," contextualized Pryia Basu, Executive Director of the World Bank Pandemic Fund. 

Health Ministers and senior officials from G20 member countries "reiterated the need to achieve a successful outcome in the ongoing negotiations and renewed their commitment to an instrument that is ambitious, balanced, effective and appropriate,” aimed at strengthening the global health architecture for preparedness and responses to future health crises, in a document released in March. 

In the letter, the leaders of the forum emphasized the urgency of agreeing on provisions that promote equitable access to health, expand capacities for the production of geographically diverse, sustainable inputs that take into account regional needs, as well as capacities for the prevention and surveillance of new pandemics.

Securing Global Funding for Pandemic Response

The urgency of these global efforts is part of the priorities of the G20 Task Force on Health and Finance, which is looking for funding alternatives for assessing and responding to health emergencies, a sensitive issue for fulfilling this urgent global agenda.

"It is an important component of the broader work to strengthen the global health architecture, including the agreement on the pandemic, changes to international regulations and many other initiatives. It is essential that all efforts are concentrated," stressed Tedros Adhanom, WHO Director-General, at a recent event in Washington, United States.

The Pandemic Fund was created in 2022 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, spearheaded and endorsed by G20 member countries.  Its primary objective is to assist low- and middle-income countries in strengthening their capacities to identify, report and contain future pandemics. During its first investment round in July 2023, the fund mobilized $2 billion, which was allocated to support 37 countries in bolstering their prevention, detection, and response mechanisms for health crises.

According to Pryia, the demand for the Fund's resources "is enormous" and in the first round of proposals alone, 135 applications were received from countries, eight times more than the total funds raised. "Pandemic preparedness responses are not one-off investments, but need to be carried out in a sustained manner. We look forward to the continued support and commitment of the G2 countries going forward," she emphasized.

See also