WFPHA Statement during INB Public Hearings

The World Health Assembly Special Session (WHASS) which took place in December 2021 established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

In the decision establishing the INB, the WHA also requested the WHO Director-General to hold public hearings to inform its deliberations.

During the INB Public Hearings, held in June 2022, WFPHA provided the following statement:

As it stands, the current draft annotated outline of the proposed instrument contains a great deal of pretty language centring on themes related to equity, making mention of multilateralism, universal health coverage, technology transfer, and incorporation of One Health approaches — all of which the WFPHA supports and lauds.

However, it still lacks any mechanisms by which to ensure transparency and accountability. Part XI, which concerns Governance and Review, says that the section could clarify the ways by which the WHO could monitor and track member state commitments and establish a member state mechanism to oversee implementation, review, compliance and dispute settlement, with each member state obligated to send in routine reports.

Still, it lays out no specific mechanisms or measures and includes no penalties should a Member State fail to comply. Without the precise means by which to ensure the enactment of the proposed instrument, it remains a purely rhetorical, toothless paper.

The pandemic has proved our need to move beyond hollow words. The value of an international instrument exists solely in the implementation of a viable, legal framework by which we could ensure collaboration and equity of resources. Without concrete consequences, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past — something we cannot afford in the face of climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and other emerging diseases.

During the first round of hearings held in April 2022, WFPHA provided a joint statement on substantive elements of a new international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.

IC2PerMed Meeting in Rome

WFPHA is one of the partners of the project Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalised Medicine (IC2PerMed). This project aims to support EU-China collaboration on different aspects of personalised cancer medicine, such as research, innovation and policy developments, providing people with access to personalised, effective and inclusive healthcare solutions in the near future.

From 9 to 10 June 2022, WFPHA delegates Prof. Bettina Borisch and Dr. Marta Lomazzi met with the other consortium partners at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome, Italy, to validate a roadmap for the China’s integration.

WFPHA will organise a dedicated webinar to present the roadmap on 11 October 2022 and a high-level meeting in May 2023 to share evidence and best practice, and to empower public health professionals worldwide.

COVID-19 and Disability

A Reflection by Public Health Leadership Coalition’s Member – Jeff Smith 

In “The Disability Pandemic”, El Gibbs lays bare the reality of COVID-19 for many people with disability. The piece is both intensely honest, searingly analytical and, at its heart, bounded by optimism. El received the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in the 2020 National Disability Leadership Awards and UTS Community Alumni of the Year in 2021 for her work advocating for disabled people around COVID-19.

Letter to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

On 30 May 2022, WFPHA sends a letter to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to congratulate him on his well-deserved re-election as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

WFPHA remains available to support the Director-General and the WHO and looks forward to a strong collaboration in this endeavour.

Thank You to Outgoing President, Prof. Walter Ricciardi

The WFPHA expresses its sincere thanks to its outgoing President, Prof. Walter Ricciardi, for his important work over the past two years.

Prof. Ricciardi led the Federation during the COVID-19 pandemic, setting an example of leadership and innovation. He successfully created the Public Health Leadership Coalition, chaired the digital World Congress on Public Health and contributed significantly to the Federation’s sustainability.

Prof. Ricciardi has played a key role in advocating for public health and disease prevention at national and international levels, making the voice of civil society heard in important high-level discussions.

The WFPHA looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Prof. Ricciardi in his new role as Immediate Past President.

Thank You to Outgoing Governing Council Members

The WFPHA expresses its sincere thanks to its Outgoing Governing Council (GC) members, Dr Saber Perdes and Adrian Te Patu, for their valued contributions and commitments over the years.

Saber, a Public Health specialist and Medical Doctor with over 12 years of professional experience, served the GC as representative of the Eastern-Mediterranean/Middle East region.

Adrian, a former Co-Vice President of the Public Health Association of New Zealand, served the GC as representative of Asia-Pacific region. He was also the first Indigenous member.

WFPHA appreciates their efforts and wishes them a fruitful journey ahead.