On 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Put simply, the aim of such an instrument is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has been established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022 to agree on ways of working and timelines; this first session resumed in March for a further two days. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body is due to meet again by 1 August 2022 to discuss progress on a working draft of an agreement. A progress report is expected to be delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim of adopting the instrument by 2024.
A March 2022 Council Decision authorises the European Commission, for matters falling within Union competence, to negotiate an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response based on the Council's negotiating directives.
My Department’s North-South, EU and International Unit is leading coordination on Ireland’s position, working with the relevant policy units in my Department, Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva and EU partners. As the negotiations begin on the substantive elements of an agreement my Department will engage with other Departments as required. Between my Department and the Permanent Representation to the UN, Ireland will be represented at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body meetings; the first session was a hybrid event in person and online.
