We support the draft Intergovernmental Negotiating Body agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and urge Member States to adopt and take concrete steps toward its implementation.

As we begin to shift from drafting to implementation, we urge Member States to:
-Prioritize marginalized and at risk groups in crisis responses and ensure pandemic responses reach these groups, including children, and older persons.
-Ensure that the implementation of the pandemic agreement, and future related agreements, is complementary with the International Health Regulations.
-Establish governance mechanisms that are inclusive of civil society, particularly those most left behind, and ensure gender parity.
-Work diligently on pathogen access and benefit-sharing and One Health.
-Use existing institutions, platforms, and funds to support and finance initiatives within the agreement to avoid duplication and fragmentation, and achieve greater health equity both within and between countries.
-Strengthen primary health care systems which are critical to delivering essential health services and can identify and respond quickly to emergencies.
-Ensure and protect UHC to prevent interruptions in the delivery of all essential medicines, vaccines, reagents, assistive technologies, medical device spare parts and medical supplies and ensure access to safe WASH to crisis-affected areas.

Finally, ensure meaningful civil society engagement and transparency throughout implementation as it is critical to building trust and legitimacy in governments’ and WHO’s work in health emergencies.