March 30, 2021
2 mins read

Global leaders call for new pandemic treaty

Global leaders called for a treaty that would provide a framework for international cooperation to immediately exchange information at the start of possible pandemics…reports Asian Lite News

Twenty-five world leaders have supported a proposal from European Council President Charles Michel to draw up a new international treaty on pandemic preparedness in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.

Leaders including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signed an opinion piece along with Michel and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, dpa news agency reported.

“There will be other pandemics and other major health emergencies. No single government or multilateral agency can address this threat alone,” the piece, published on Tuesday, said.

The article made the case for a new agreement anchored in the WHO’s constitution that would improve global preparedness for pandemics and ability to respond.

Zulema Riquelme, a 46-year-old nursing technician, receives a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Metropolitan Hospital in Santiago, Chile


A treaty would provide a framework for international cooperation to immediately exchange information at the start of possible pandemics, and channel global resources for research into possible treatments and vaccines, Michel said at a virtual press conference with Tedros on Tuesday.

Also read:England relaxes Covid-19 contact curbs

“The time to act is now,” Tedros said, “We must not allow the memories of this crisis to fade and go back to business as usual.”

Michel first put forward the idea in November, but has now won public support from heads of state or government from Indonesia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Tunisia and South Korea, among others.

People wearing face masks visit the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C during covid 19 surge

However, notable omissions from the article’s signatories include the US and China.

Initial reaction among the 194 WHO member countries was “positive”, according to Tedros, who said he hoped all would help take forward debate on the initiative ahead of May’s World Health Assembly.

It was too soon to say whether the treaty could cover contentious issues such as intellectual property on vaccines or more equitable sharing of shots, the WHO chief added.

Also read:Biden invites 40 world leaders to climate summit

Previous Story

Kick out acidity with simple yoga poses

Next Story

Old passports not required for OCI card holders

Latest from -Top News

UN Slams Pakistan Over Minority Attacks

The minorities in Pakistan – including Ahmadiyya Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Shia Muslims – continue to be neglected and increasingly subjected to targetted state-backed persecution….reports Asian Lite News Alarmed by rising violence

Cambodia-Thailand Agree to Truce

The border violence has claimed at least 35 lives and left more than 200 injured, based on figures from Thai and Cambodian officials….reports Asian Lite News Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to

Baloch Activist Thanks India, Slams Pakistan Terror

Mir Yar Baloch also appreciated the extraordinary courage and professionalism of the Indian Armed Forces, the “responsible and patriotic role” of the Indian media…reports Asian Lite News Prominent Baloch human rights activist

UK Warns China Over Taiwan Moves

Healey’s comments come amid rising global concerns over Chinese military activity around Taiwan and the growing Western focus on the Indo-Pacific region. British Defence Secretary John Healey has said the UK is

US Sticks to August 1 Tariff Deadline

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ruled out any possibility of an extension…reports Asian Lite News The US administration on Sunday said the August 1 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs remains unchanged and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Scott Morrison urges EU to release vaccines

Morrison said that delays to Australia’s vaccine rollout caused by

Global Covid caseload tops 490.6 mn

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 490.6 million, while the