The Pandemic Treaty is an entirely new document that purports to be a treaty but its latest iteration actually calls it what it is: “Proposal for negotiating text of the WHO Pandemic Agreement”, so an agreement to agree. Hence why it’s also been called the WHO CA+.

The Pandemic Treaty is an entirely new convention agreement, which establishes a framework for the identification, tracking, collection of pathogens and sets out management of a pandemic and the funding of the WHO and its partners by Member States.

The background explanation set out in the June 2023 version of the Pandemic Treaty gave the reason for the document:

In recognition of the catastrophic failure of the international community in showing solidarity and equity in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the World Health Assembly convened a second special session in December 2021, where it established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) open to all Member States and Associate Members (and regional economic integration organizations as appropriate) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, with a view to its adoption under Article 19, or under other provisions of the WHO Constitution as may be deemed appropriate by the INB.

(emphasis added)

These are incredibly powerful and emotive words used to justify the implementation of this convention agreement, especially as there has been no pause for reflection, inquiry or report into the successes and failings of the last 4 years.

The latest full version of the Pandemic Treaty (30 October 2023) has deleted the words above. You can review previous versions of the Pandemic Treaty unedited here and the version made publicly available on 12 June 2023 here and 16 October 2023 here.

In early February 2024, sections of the Pandemic Treaty were again circulated as further updates:  Chapter I, Chapter II (Art 4, 5, 6), Chapter II (Art 7, 8, 16-18), Chapter II (Art 9),  Chapter II (Art 10, 11 and 13), Chapter II (Art 19, 20), Chapter III. [1] 

We are reviewing these further sections of the Pandemic Treaty and will update this page again shortly.

The Pandemic Treaty reads more like a trade agreement than a health treaty. It:

1. Sets up an international supply networks which will be overseen by the WHO.

2. Outlines the funding structures and processes including Member States to pay ≥5% of their national health budgets, which will be ‘devoted to health emergencies’.

3. Sets up a new ‘Governing Body,’ under the auspices of the WHO auspices, to oversee the whole process.

4. Expands the scope of the ‘One Health’ agenda.

So, what are some of the most worrying things proposed in the Pandemic Treaty?

1. Equity and inclusivity and the One Health approach

A One Health, approach, as opposed to individual human rights and freedoms to choose are one of the core constructs throughout the proposed documents but clearly articled throughout the Pandemic Treaty.

See Articles 1 (definition), Article 5, with One Health: