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Country Reports

Geneva Telegram - World Health Assembly draws first lessons from the pandemic

by Dr. Olaf Wientzek, Rosa Ann Seidler

The "Geneva Telegram" looks at events in the Geneva multilateral organizations on a current topic. This time the focus is on the 74th World Health Assembly.

The theme of the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), held May 24-31, was "Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world." A central instrument discussed by Member States was the possible drafting of a new framework convention ("pandemic treaty"). Overall, as in previous years, the discussions were marred by geopolitical disputes.

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The theme of the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), held May 24-31, was "Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world." In several ways, it was a historic meeting: first, the agenda was unusually packed with more than 70 resolutions up for debate (of which 30 were adopted). In addition, the WHA drew important lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. A central instrument discussed by Member States was the possible drafting of a new framework convention ("pandemic treaty"). The WHA decided to discuss such a treaty at a special meeting on 29 November - 1 December this year. The issue of more equitable vaccine distribution also drew significant attention; the WHO Director-General, experts, but also numerous representatives of Member States warned that present efforts to address the pandemic-related challenges were insufficient. Overall, as in previous years, the discussions were marred by geopolitical disputes.

You can read the full report here.

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Dr. Olaf Wientzek

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Director of the Multinational Development Policy Dialogue Brussels

olaf.wientzek@kas.de +32 2 669 31 70
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Rosa Ann Seidler

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The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.