Since 2022, an intergovernmental negotiating body in WHO has been working on proposals for a convention, agreement, or other instrument for pandemic preparedness and response. Switzerland supports this process.
International tool for pandemic preparedness and response
Objectives of the new instrument
International conventions, agreements, or instruments are key recommendations of the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
For Switzerland, international cooperation is a key requirement to prepare for future health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated no single government or institution can address the threat of future pandemics alone. Better preparation and protection of countries, communities and actors worldwide will ultimately also serve to protect Switzerland and its population.
Intergovernmental negotiating body
The World Health Assembly established an intergovernmental negotiating body by consensus at its special session in late 2021. The body is expected to present initial drafts to the World Health Assembly in May 2024. However, it may be several years before negotiations are concluded. At this early stage in the negotiations, the convention has not yet been clarified. The negotiating body agreed on a legally binding convention under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution on July 21, 2022.
All WHO member states are part of the negotiating body and can actively contribute their interests.
All meetings of the negotiating body can be followed live or viewed and read afterwards.
Priorities of Switzerland
Switzerland was an early supporter of the project for a legally binding instrument. The current crisis has shown how important internationally binding instruments are for Switzerland. Switzerland therefore supports this negotiation process and actively contributes its interests.
As a sovereign member state, Switzerland is free to sign and ratify any convention, agreement or other instrument.
Switzerland will decide only after the conclusion of the negotiations according to the final negotiated content whether it agrees with the outcome.
Last modification 05.01.2024
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
International Affairs Division
Global Health Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 464 55 65