HEALTH
The next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when, and we must learn from the failings of the global response to Covid-19. To this end, a new legally binding framework addresses how countries will cooperate, rather than compete, to counter the threat of a future pandemic
ordering more than they might ever need – leaving lower-income countries behind, waiting for leftovers. Of course, every sovereign government is responsible for protecting its people. But in a pandemic, no country can truly protect itself without working with other countries – especially those with the least financial, technical or political capital – to ensure they too are protected. A global threat demands a global, coordinated response. STRONGER REGULATIONS Recognising this, in 2021, the countries of the world decided to strengthen the International Health Regulations and to develop an international agreement on
more. But it will come. Local outbreaks and regional epidemics of deadly diseases happen all the time. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and address the gaps in global health security that the pandemic exposed. The lack of coordination and cooperation among countries was one of the greatest failings of the global response to Covid-19. Countries became competitors, rather than cooperators, especially in seeking access to vaccines. While the development of multiple safe and effective vaccines in such a rapid time was an unprecedented triumph of science, before a single jab reached an arm, high-income countries used their financial muscle to preorder most of the world’s supply – often
By Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, World Health
F or many, the Covid-19 pandemic is already fading from memory, a bad dream that is disappearing into the mists of the past. After the suffering so many people endured, it is understandable that they want to move on, and there are many other crises dominating headlines and rightly demanding the attention of world leaders. But we forget at our peril. History teaches us that the next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. It may be in our lifetime; it may not come for another 100 years or
Learning from our mistakes
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G7 ITALY: THE APULIA SUMMIT — 2024
globalgovernanceproject.org
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