WHO thanks Philippines for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response

MANILA, Philippines — World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed his appreciation of the Philippines’ role in the ongoing negotiations on a “WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response” known as the Pandemic Treaty.

Tedros also encouraged the Philippines to explore the assignment in Geneva of a health attaché from the Department of Health to help manage the increasing workload related to global health cooperation.

During a meeting at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on April 3, he discussed with Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Carlos Sorreta the Philippines’ assignment of a health attaché.

They also discussed the state of play of the negotiations, which aim to adopt a consensus text by May 2024.

Tedros thanked Sorreta for chairing an ambassador-level meeting of more than 30 developing countries known as the Group for Equity, which the WHO chief attended.

He conveyed his availability for further meetings with the group to help build consensus on the instrument.

The Pandemic Treaty negotiations are entering the final stages as countries prepare for an additional meeting on April 29 to May 10 in the hope of bridging divides on key issues such as access and benefit sharing, technology transfer and financing.

Sorreta reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to continue working with other countries to deliver an effective instrument.

Aside from helping create the Group for Equity, the Philippines served as co-facilitators for key articles on production of countermeasures, transfer of technology, and supply chains and logistics.

As a leading producer of health professionals, the Philippines is also a key proponent of the article on health workforce.

Apart from the negotiations, Tedros and Sorreta raised Philippine initiatives on human resources for health, financial contributions and planned membership to the WHO executive board next year.