Member states have been given nine days to comment on the ‘Zero draft of the Political Declaration on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, due to be adopted at the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting (HLM) on 20 September – with insiders describing the draft as “underwhelming”.
The HLM is essential for boosting waning political commitment to pandemic preparedness and response amid a myriad of urgent post-COVID recovery issues vying for politicians’ attention and financing.
The 14-page “zero-draft”, sent to member states on Monday with a comments deadline of 14 June, is deferential to the two ongoing negotiations on the pandemic accord and International Health Regulations (IHR) amendments being conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO). These will only conclude in May 2024.