It is noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has posed the biggest challenge second from the Second World War(WW2). As a resulted, it has necessitated the need for serious preparations in view of any future pandemics. 23 world leaders lead by The German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wrote to this effect proposing a global pandemic treaty.
The leaders stated that this pandemic is a clear sign that “nobody is safe until everyone is safe”. In addition, they spoke of the probability of another pandemic saying that it is not a question “if” another pandemic might happen but “when” it will happen.
In addition to those sentiments, it was also added that a single country can not effectively deal with the threat is such a pandemic alone. Hence, it is deemed necessary that countries work together in fighting such threats.
The 23 world leaders who are part of this global treaty proposal argue that such a treat as was formed in the wake of WW2 is needed to allow cross-boarder cooperation.
The signatories, who include the head of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, equated these times with WW2 times and vouched for a Covid-19 International treaty because: “At that time(WW2), following the devastation of two world wars, political leaders came together to forge the multilateral system.
The leaders said that similarly, countries must now “be better prepared to predict, prevent, detect, assess and effectively respond to pandemics in a highly coordinated fashion”.
The treaty is proposed to serve the purpose of establishing rigid systems that alert people of pandemics before they occur. In addition it would also facilitate an improved data sharing and vaccine and protective equipment distribution system.
The aforementioned leaders went on to say “At a time when Covid-19 has exploited our weaknesses and divisions, we must seize this opportunity and come together as a global community for peaceful co-operation that extends beyond this crisis.
If this proposal is supported by other major countries, that treaty can take several years to negotiate then ratify. Will it be ready before the next big pandemic?
Thus far the following countries have shown their support for this global treaty:
- Fiji
- Portugal
- Romania
- Britain
- Rwanda
- Kenya
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Korea
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Albania
- South Africa
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Senegal
- Spain
- Norway
- Serbia
- Indonesia
- Ukraine
- WHO
What are your thoughts on such a treaty?
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