To help us respond to future crises, the UK has been negotiating a ‘Pandemic Accord’ and updating the International Health Regulations with other countries at the World Health Organization.
If and when another pandemic hits us and other countries, we will need the latest and best global information to tackle this threat and keep our nation safe. A successful pandemic accord and strengthened International Health Regulations would do just that, allowing countries to better share information about global trends in disease and emerging crises so that the UK Government has the right information to take effective preventative action sooner.
I understand that the Government wants to reach agreement on its priority areas: improving transparency, timely data sharing and supporting equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
The UK has engaged with academics, civil society organizations, trade associations and other non-state actors.
Ministers assure me that the UK Government has clear red lines when negotiating the accord, including not agreeing to anything that cedes the UK’s sovereignty. Indeed, it is only a democratically elected UK Government and Parliament that can decide how we respond to a future global crisis here at home.
You may also be interested in the following campaign statement:
