Pandemic has cost 7 million lives, but negotiations aim to avoid further impasse

In late 2021, as THE world rolled up Since THE arrival of THE very contagious omicron variant of THE corona virus, representatives of almost 200 countries encounter — a few online, a few in person In Geneva — hoping has get ahead A future global epidemic by development THE First time global pandemic agreement.

THE deadline For A agreement? Can 2024.

THE costs of not reach A? Incalculable, experts say. A unknown future pathogen could to have far more devastating consequences that SARS-CoV-2, which cost a few 7 million lives And Billions of dollars In economic losses.

But even as negotiators pack In additional hours, THE aim of pick up A legally OBLIGATORY pact by following month East far Since certain — despite A new draft document be book In recent days. THE main collage indicate implied to access has vital information about new threats that can emerge — And has THE vaccines And drugs that could contain that threat.

"It is THE most important time In global health security Since 1948, » When THE World Health Organization was established, said Laurent O. Gostin, director of THE WHO Collaborate Center For National And Global Health Law has Georgetown University.

THE background has Today negotiations East Frankly different Since THE years After World War II When countries United around principles to guarantee universal human rights And protect public health. THE unifying fear of covid has has been replaced by worries about repeat THE injustice that tainted THE answer has THE pandemic, deepening flaws between THE Global North And THE Global South.

"THE trauma of THE COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrate In THE negotiations”, said Helene 't Hoen, A lawyer And public health lawyer WHO specializes In intellectual property Strategies. Representatives of THE WHO 194 member countries, She said, are look backward instead that forward.

THE the reasons are clear. A paper