The national employer group has joined a global push from other industry and business groups around the world calling on WHO to engage with business in their INB that was created to prevent, prepare, and respond to future pandemics.
The World Health Assembly in December 2021 agreed to kickstart a global process to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instruments under the constitution of the World Health Organisation in the event of future pandemics.
At the time Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said the COVID-19 pandemic “shone a light on the many flaws in the global system to protect people from pandemics”.
On Thursday (24 February), the move to create the INB was discussed at a meeting of the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All.
“The private sector has been a steadfast partner in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) when it comes to the innovation, manufacturing, delivery and administration of healthcare and public health products and services,” said Ai Group chief executive and Global Business Coalition president Innes Willox.
“We are employers, innovators, manufacturers, supply chain experts, and drivers of economic opportunity and growth. We have proven to be an essential contributor in coping better with the pandemic and remain fully committed to providing our valuable and needed products, services, and employment opportunities to global citizens. It is imperative that the business community participates in the process to inform the INB to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.”
Ai Group is one of 17 national industry associations to join an open letter to WHO as they prepare to discuss the INB at the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All meeting being held on Friday (25 February).
