This week, history was made at the World Health Assembly, which endorsed the world’s first Pandemic Agreement.
The column also brings other global health updates, including a call for primary healthcare to be at the centre of efforts to build a healthier, fairer world, and from Colombia, a major milestone in the fight for Indigenous sovereignty.
The quotable?
The Agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats.
It is also a recognition by the international community that our citizens, societies and economies must not be left vulnerable to again suffer losses like those endured during COVID-19.”
In focus: #AusPol
As health advocates and organisations strategise about how to engage with the ever-shifting national political landscape, this recent webinar from the Australian Democracy Network is worth watching.
Issues discussed include:
- The role of civil society in holding government to account is even more important when the opposition is weak
- The importance of tackling vested commercial interests in the policy space, noting especially the power of the gambling industry
- Reforms won’t “drop into our lap”; vigorous advocacy will be needed
- The importance of political framing when the “Government is led by some very astute politicians”
- The need for vigilance to protect democracy; we must not be complacent
- With so many women in leadership roles, we can expect more collaborative decision making
- A swing against Labor will be likely at the next election, so backbenchers will become increasingly nervous as the term progresses.
World Health Assembly
Headline news from the World Health Assembly this week was adoption of the world’s first Pandemic Agreement. This followed more than three years of intensive negotiations in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The world is safer today thanks to the leadership, collaboration and commitment of our Member States to adopt the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The Agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats. It is also a recognition by the international community that our citizens, societies and economies must not be left vulnerable to again suffer losses like those endured during COVID-19.”
The WHO Pandemic Agreement sets out the principles, approaches and tools for better international coordination across a range of areas, in order to strengthen the global health architecture for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. This includes through the equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
Regarding national sovereignty, the Agreement states that: “Nothing in the WHO Pandemic Agreement shall be interpreted as providing the Secretariat of the World Health Organization, including the Director-General of the World Health Organization, any authority to direct, order, alter or otherwise prescribe the national and/or domestic law, as appropriate, or policies of any Party, or to mandate or otherwise impose any requirements that Parties take specific actions, such as ban or accept travellers, impose vaccination mandates or therapeutic or diagnostic measures or implement lockdowns.”
Read more here.
Professor Emily Banks AM, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, Senior Principal Research Fellow, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, is one of those awarded. Read more here.
Other global health news
#AusPol
This article says the new Labor Government could use its strength in parliament to initiate a principled and evidence-based reset. This could include:
- creating a new emergency visa for humanitarian crises to assist people fleeing conflict
- improving the efficiency and fairness of the asylum seeker process
- ending offshore processing of refugees
- streamlining the family reunification process
- making immigration detention an option that could be used at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs, instead of being mandatory
- giving people access to independent review of their detention
- improving systems for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers (many of whom face heightened risks, are not always believed about their sexuality, and lack culturally sensitive support).
First Nations
Public health updates
#CroakeyREAD
Appointments
Events
Deputy Chair of Yoorrook, Commissioner Travis Lovett said:
“The first day of the Walk for Truth will be a historic moment in Victoria’s truth-telling journey. We are humbled by the incredible support we have seen for the Walk, with thousands already registered to take part.
“This Walk is an opportunity and an invitation to all Victorians to join together and be part of a better, shared future – not only for First Peoples but for everyone.
“Walking on Country is something our ancestors have done for thousands of years. Since colonisation it has been an important way to advocate for change. Today we begin another important and historic walk – to bring Victorians together to listen, learn and move forward united.
“As Australia’s first formal truth-telling process led by First Peoples, Yoorrook has heard powerful truths from people right across Victoria. We have documented the true history of the past to better understand how this connects with the present. The Walk honours these truths.”
There are 17 sections of the walk the public can join, as well as seven events. To find out more and register go to www.yoorrook.org.au/walkfortruth.
