Governments near agreement on amendments to International Health Regulations
The package of amendments will be put forward to the World Health Assembly, which takes place from 27 May–1 June
The amendments, proposed by state parties to the International Health Regulations (IHR) in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, are to strengthen the international community’s ability to detect and respond to pandemic threats. They will be further discussed at the resumed eighth meeting on 16–17 May with a view to finalising an agreed package for submission to the World Health Assembly in May for its consideration and, if agreed, formal adoption.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented: “The International Health Regulations have been the cornerstone of global health security for decades, but the Covid-19 pandemic showed the need to strengthen them in some areas to make them fit for purpose.”
Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Co-Chair of the Working Group on Amendments to the IHR (WGIHR), said: “The work to bolster our global defences against public health emergencies and risks, through agreeing a stronger set of International Health Regulations, reflects both the risks our highly interconnected world faces today, and the recognition and readiness of countries to ensure their citizens are better protected.”
Fellow WGIHR Co-Chair Dr Abdullah Assiri said the proposed amendments to the IHR were readily implementable and recognised the importance of equity in ensuring effective global response.
“The Covid-19 pandemic showed the world that viruses of pandemic potential do not respect national borders,” Dr Assiri said. “Amending the International Health Regulations reflects the critical need to bolster our collective defences against current and future public health risks so people’s health, societies and economies can be better protected, all whilst firmly respecting and adhering to the principle of national sovereignty.”