From 16-17 July 2024, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) tasked to draft a new pandemic agreement met for its 10th session, following the decision of the World Health Assembly to extend the negotiation process for another year. At the latest, the INB will have to present a pandemic agreement at the next World Health Assembly in May 2025.
While the INB failed to finalize an agreement last May, it has resumed its work with renewed dynamics through a rotating Bureau, with 2 new members (France and Australia, alongside South Africa, Brazil and Egypt). A new workplan has been adopted, with negotiations resuming at the beginning of September.
There was high hope that relevant stakeholders, including the Global Cities Hub, would be allowed from now on to take part as observer in all INB meetings. But this proposal has been strongly pushed back by several delegations wanting to keep discussions among States only. Obviously, the GCH deeply regrets that decision, along with many others who had demanded the official involvement of relevant stakeholders in all remaining negotiations in the INB process for a new pandemic agreement (see Open Letter here). Closed meetings make it very hard for the GCH to effectively supports relevant points for LRGs. However, the GCH will continue to take part in the process to advocate in favour of the acknowledgement of the role and perspectives of LRGs in better preventing, preparing and responding to pandemics.