Canada Shows Strong Support for WHO Pandemic Agreement, While UK Disapproves of Current Text
With an upcoming vote on the World Health Organization’s pandemic agreement and international health regulations, the UK government has withdrawn support, while Republicans in the United States are urging the White House to follow suit.
Conversely, Canada is proceeding with minimal opposition.
Health Canada spokesperson Anna Maddison mentioned that Ottawa has actively engaged in developing the Pandemic Agreement, acknowledging the need for a strong global health security framework.
Health Canada declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations following the latest unsuccessful round on May 10.
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The UK specified that they would only join if the WHO respects their national sovereignty and will not allow the WHO to impose lockdowns.
The World Health Assembly is scheduled to commence its annual meeting on May 27 in Geneva, where they may vote on two legally binding documents: the pandemic agreement and updated International Health Regulations.
‘Outside the Scope’
Critics of the global pandemic accord claim that adopting the draft IHR at the end of the month would be unlawful. They point out that the proposed amendments must be presented to all states four months before the WHA according to the IHR, which was discussed late in April and will be voted on between May 16-17.
While Ms. Lewis has raised concerns in Canada, all 49 U.S. Republican senators have urged the Biden administration to withdraw support for the IHR amendments and exit the pandemic agreement negotiations.
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