PGPHC documents - Panel for a Global Public Health Convention

Policy Statements

Calling for Consensus Building and Action for Equity to Finalize a Meaningful Pandemic Agreement

November 1, 2024

Pandemic Action Network (PAN), Resilience Action Network Africa (RANA), and nearly 20 other civil society organizations urge Members States in a joint statement to show up to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body’s twelfth meeting (INB12) on Nov. 4-15 ready to build consensus and drive action on the issues most important to advance equity in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

Mpox: Urgent action and investment required now to protect people and stop more spread

August 8, 2024

The continued outbreak of mpox, including its spread into several African countries, is of grave concern, and urgent investment and action from stakeholders across the international community is essential now to protect people, save lives, and contain the mpox clades I and II outbreaks.

To Break Impasse In Pandemic Accord Negotiations, Bring Neutral Countries To Forge Compromise

September 20, 2023

The DNA of Geneva Health Files is that of a journalistic initiative, although we inhabit the world of global health. We find ourselves at the intersection of journalism and global health. While we function as media, we are dedicated to serving the niche community of global health experts world over.

Independent Assessment & Governance Committees: Addressing Accountability and Governance in a Pandemic Accord

June 27, 2023

Even after the World Health Organization ended the COVID-19 public health emergency of international concern on 10 May 2023, the world is still far from ready to prevent and respond to future global health threats.

Governance of health emergencies

June 17, 2023

There have been many analyses of the COVID-19 pandemic but little discussion of the governance failures, especially the need for cross-government, multisectoral engagement, and leadership by heads of state and governments at both national and global levels.

PGPHC Statement to the Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

May 08, 2023

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention considers a Political Declaration essential to get Heads of State/Heads of Government committed to a new Treaty, the WHO CA+ and IHR changes. Whether we are talking about equity, accountability or governance, it will require a high-level, whole of Government commitment.

Good Start but Accountability Gap Undermines Potential of Pandemic Treaty

February 03, 2022

This week, Japan saw record numbers of people dying from COVID-19, the United States announced plans to end its COVID-19 emergency declaration in May and the WHO said that for now, COVID-19 will continue to be classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the organization’s highest level of alert.

GPHC Response to Conceptual Zero Draft

November 21, 2022

As the world continues to battle waves of COVID-19, the growing geographic spread of Ebola is both concerning and another sobering reminder that stopping disease outbreaks quickly requires a cohesive system that involves global, regional, national and local stakeholders.

The Pandemic Convention We Need Now

April, 2022

To prevent future outbreaks from becoming global pandemics, The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention (GPHC) is calling for an accountable international system that enables countries at every income level to detect, alert and respond to health threats.

The Case for a Pandemic Prevention Treaty

October, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health catastrophe. This was a preventable disaster. For more than 20 years, experts have warned us this was likely to happen if we did not pay attention to the governance, preparedness for the management of outbreaks and pandemics.

Manifesto

June 29, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected all aspects of human life on every region of the planet. The social and financial cost have been profound, and the deep devastation in terms of human suffering, lost lives, and compromised potential for future generations will be felt for years to come.

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic

March, 2021

We consulted with global experts across borders and sectors to determine what a new global public health security convention would need to best prevent, prepare for and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Communications to International Bodies

Statement on behalf of the Panel for a Global Public Health Convention on 3 June 2024

June 3, 2024

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention welcomes the adoption of the amendments to the International Health Regulations at the 77th World Health Assembly.

Statement on behalf of the Panel for a Global Public Health Convention on 27 May 2024

May 27, 2024

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel sent a statement to the INB Bureau Co-chairs and WHO Secretariat. They urge the World Health Assembly to reset the process for intergovernmental negotiations and to approve the amendments to the International Health Regulations.

Urgent letter to the INB & WGIHR Co-Chairs and WHO Member States

May 9, 2024

The Panel together with senior leaders sent an open letter to the INB & WGIHR Co-Chairs, and WHO Member States. They provide recommendations that highlight the principles of leadership, accountability, and governance around a new agreement.

Statement on behalf of the Panel for a Global Public Health Convention

April 16, 2024

The Panel welcomes the shortened text of the Agreement and believes it is now possible and necessary to achieve adoption of the Agreement in the upcoming WHA. The draft goes beyond principles to specify commitments. Going forward, we need to focus on finance and compliance.

Statement from the Panel for a Global Public Health Convention

March 20, 2024

The Global Public Health Convention Panel acknowledges progress on the Negotiating Text, notes areas needing more work, especially on mechanisms, and is optimistic about finalizing the Agreement by May with compromises.

Open letter to world leaders

January 30, 2024

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention, together with a group of senior leaders and experts on pandemic preparedness and response are unifying for the first time to stress that world leaders take charge today and ensure a pandemic accord that makes COVID-19 the last pandemic, stressing the urgency in ensuring an ambitious, legally binding pandemic accord by the May World Health Assembly – in just four months.

Submission to INB: Response to the Negotiating Draft

November, 2023

The Panel submits our written statement to the INB, welcoming the new draft of the Pandemic Agreement. It is much clearer, with more precision about what needs to be done, and the welcome, continuing focus on equity across the globe, and within countries. We would like to put forward some specific proposals for change.

A Joint Letter to all WHO Member States: Now is the time to agree on a pandemic accord which safeguards everyone from pandemic threats

13 October, 2022

As eyes now focus on the Geneva processes to negotiate a pandemic accord and amend the International Health Regulations, we encourage WHO Member States to take this historic opportunity and successfully conclude these processes to the benefit of all people.

Submission to INB November 2022

4 November, 2022

The INB and its Bureau are now developing the ‘Conceptual Zero Draft’ of the new Instrument. It is vital that accountability is central to the Convention. The fundamental reason Covid 19 developed into a pandemic were the lack of preparedness of countries and the lack of accountability for active response.

Submission to INB September 2022

12 September, 2022

With a working draft towards the Convention / Legally Binding Instrument now available and the recommendation that it be under Article 19, the INB now has to balance delivery of a Treaty which countries are prepared to ratify with the need to make sure it is rigorous enough to stop outbreaks becoming pandemics.

Panel's Statement after Second INB Meeting

18-22 July, 2022

From spiking COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths due to Omicron subvariants to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak now recorded in nearly 80 countries, disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent and persistent

Panel's Response to WHO White Paper

4 May, 2022

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention has today submitted a response to the WHO White Paper. I have attached that response for your convenience. You will see that we are very supportive of the attempt to bring coherence to a very complex set of issues.