Currently, 194 countries are engaged in negotiating the world’s first pandemic accord. This groundbreaking initiative stems from the valuable lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments have recognized the need for new and more effective mechanisms to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future public health threats. Simultaneously, discussions are underway to amend the International Health Regulations (IHR), ensuring that all nations are better equipped to detect and address outbreaks before they escalate into global emergencies or cause the next pandemic. Every country in the Western Pacific region, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is involved in both processes. Our region has firsthand experience of the devastating impact of pandemics and major public health events. However, we have also learned how to bolster our health systems and societies, and possess the necessary tools and mechanisms to respond effectively. Asia has a legacy of being the origin of significant diseases such as COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The latter prompted the establishment of the IHR in 2005. Additionally, Asia has successfully prevented and managed outbreaks of various diseases such as influenza, Nipah virus, dengue fever, and malaria. Our region possesses the knowledge and experience required to address the threats posed by outbreaks. We have made significant strides in prevention, preparedness, and response, with countries in the Western Pacific region demonstrating some of the most effective responses to COVID-19 globally. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising seven countries in our region, promptly responded to the emerging crisis by establishing a COVID-19 Response Fund to enhance emergency stockpiles for future outbreaks. ASEAN is also working towards establishing the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to health emergencies. Pacific countries and territories collaborated with the WHO Regional Office, the Pacific community, and other regional countries to protect and vaccinate their populations. However, we must maintain our focus and momentum. The global community must do more to address the inequities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding vaccine distribution. Many countries in the global South struggled to access sufficient supplies and were deprioritized in the vaccine queue. Sharing pandemic pathogens and genome sequences is crucial for risk assessment, prompt containment measures, and the development of vaccines. Encouraging the private sector to invest in pandemic preparedness is another critical concern. Greater collaboration and financing for pandemic and health emergency prevention and response are necessary. A revised IHR and a universally ratified pandemic accord would enhance the collective response of the world, ensuring that it is equitable, swift, and comprehensive in terms of preparedness and response measures. Negotiation sessions for the pandemic accord and IHR amendments have already taken place, with further meetings scheduled throughout the year. Both processes are projected to conclude by May 2024, in time to present the outcomes at the World Health Assembly. It is crucial to remember that all 194 countries are actively participating in these negotiations and influencing the outcomes. Only sovereign governments have the authority to determine the contents of the accord and the revised IHR, and solely governments can ratify the accord once an agreement is reached. The knowledge and experiences of our diverse region should be reflected in these discussions to ensure the development of robust international frameworks. The active participation of countries from our region is immensely beneficial in this regard. The pandemic accord and IHR amendments present a unique opportunity to safeguard the world against large-scale infectious disease outbreaks and the ongoing threat of pandemics. It is crucial that we integrate the lessons learned from COVID-19 and make significant advancements in preventing, preparing for, and responding to these outbreaks and pandemic risks. Let us support our governments in achieving the best possible outcomes from these negotiations, with equity as the guiding principle. The benefits of a successful outcome extend to the entire world.
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