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.
