In this spirit, the 10th Global Conference on Health Promotion adopted in mid-December 2021 the Geneva Charter for Well-being. To achieve “equitable health now and for future generations without breaching ecological limits”, the Charter calls for coordinated action to “value, respect and nurture planet Earth and its ecosystems”, including “just transition to a low-carbon economy to keep temperature rises below 1.5°C”, as well as “strong links to ‘One Health’ and planetary health to enhance pandemic preparedness and improve health and equity for the future”.
CIDCE’s draft convention in a nutshell
Centred as it is on “One Health”, the draft convention on pandemics is underpinned by the human right to a healthy life in harmony with nature, in an environment conducive to the achievement of the highest possible level of health and well-being, for the benefit of present and future generations. On this basis, the proposed convention aims broadly to prevent, anticipate, contain, manage and eradicate pandemics in a rapid, efficient, equitable, united and inclusive manner, while respecting human rights and staying mindful of the planetary boundaries.
Regarding pandemic preparedness, the draft convention urges States to put in place coordinated national strategies involving health, veterinary and environmental authorities; to develop scientific research on zoonotic risks; to have the necessary specialized medical and health personnel and the infrastructure needed; to strengthen epidemiological surveillance through early detection and warning systems, etc.
To respond to pandemics, States are required to alert the population when a pandemic outbreak is detected and to protect them effectively by means of an emergency plan, while transparently notifying potentially affected States. Enshrining vaccine equity, the draft convention recognizes that large-scale vaccination and universal access to vaccines are a global public good. The same goes for medicines, means of screening and medical equipment, the availability of which must be universal. In this spirit, States Parties cooperate in providing and receiving all necessary assistance, bearing in mind the special needs of developing countries.
Strengthening scientific and technical cooperation on pandemics is an essential part of the draft convention, which aims to promote the transfer of technologies and skills. In view of this, an Intergovernmental Panel of Experts on Pandemics is to be set up to collect and assess relevant data on the origins, prevention and management of pandemics and to impartially provide scientific, technical, socio-economic and legal advice.
To facilitate effective implementation of the convention, increased coordination of actions carried out by the international agencies concerned with pandemics is crucial, especially between the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organization for Animal Health, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Trade Organization and the World Bank. Moreover, States commit to allocating adequate, predictable and sustainable financial resources for pandemic preparedness and response programmes.
Such a convention would therefore help to enhance engagement of all stakeholders and consolidate multisectoral partnerships, offering a dialogue and convergence framework for the coherence of approaches, the coordination of actions and the synergy of interventions.