The Guardian view on the WHO pandemic treaty: the west’s fantasy negotiations have put the world at risk
After five years of deliberation the global south has forced the question that defined the Covid crisis: who will get the vaccines?
TL;DR
- The Covid-19 pandemic damaged the international political system, leaving global south countries feeling let down by inequitable vaccine access.
- A coalition of global south countries is stalling WHO pandemic treaty negotiations, demanding a change to the status quo for future crises.
- The core issue is equitable access to treatments, with global south states demanding a share of medicines and technology transfer, which Western nations prefer to keep voluntary.
- European nations, leading the treaty process, are criticized for not addressing these fundamental concerns of the global south, engaging in what is termed 'fantasy negotiations'.
- The failure to reach an agreement on vaccine equity could lead to the treaty's collapse, straining international relations further and undermining global health cooperation.
- The current situation reflects a 'might makes right' approach, mirroring the failures of international cooperation seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.