The President of the PREZODE General Assembly was present at WHO headquarters when the Assembly voted to adopt the Pandemic Agreement. In this interview, he shares his reaction to this historic moment and explains how PREZODE can support the next steps in implementing the Agreement.
You were at the WHO headquarters when the Assembly voted to adopt the Pandemic Agreement. This decision was widely praised by stakeholders and partners, who described it as a major milestone. Why is this agreement considered such a significant milestone?
As stated by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, ” The world is safer today thanks to the leadership, collaboration and commitment of our Member States to adopt the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement. This is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats.” The Pandemic Agreement is historic for several reasons:
- Firstly, it underscores the importance of solidarity and international cooperation, acknowledging that pandemics transcend national boundaries and necessitate a unified response.
- Secondly, it establishes the foundation for more equitable resource allocation, including data, production capacity, and access to medical countermeasures such as vaccines and treatments.
- Furthermore, this edition stands out for integrating cross-cutting strategies, including the One Health approach, which highlights the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. This Agreement marks the beginning of a new era of preparedness, during which each country is tasked with strengthening its health systems while collaborating with others to safeguard global health.
This accord also marks a significant milestone for PREZODE. We played an active role in the INB negotiations as Relevant Stakeholders.
During the World Health Assembly, you participated in several high-level meetings, conferences, and events. Can you describe the most significant achievements related to PREZODE’s objectives and missions, emphasizing the One Health approach?
In both official and side meetings, numerous speakers emphasized the need to address the environmental and socio-economic drivers of zoonotic emergence, central to PREZODE’s mission. The importance of prevention as a core component of global health policy is now widely acknowledged.
I also observed a strong convergence of perspectives around the integration of research, local capacity building, and community co-construction. This alignment confirms that PREZODE is embedded within an evolving and increasingly coordinated international effort. In addition, I engaged in high-level strategic discussions and meetings with key partners, including representatives from UN agencies, the World Bank, member states, NGOs, and scientific organizations. These multilateral and bilateral engagements continue to strengthen the legitimacy and positioning of PREZODE on the global stage.
PREZODE is interested in participating in the committee of experts that supports the International Working Groups responsible for working on the annex to the Treaty. What are the key issues and points we wish to raise?
We are committed to making an active contribution to the work of the Committee of Experts supporting the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the annexes to the Pandemic Agreement, particularly those concerning Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS). This is a key issue, as it concerns both the sovereignty of states over their biological resources and international solidarity in the face of health threats.
We can contribute our expertise in the following areas:
- Through a fair and equitable sharing system, which recognizes the contribution of countries (often in the South) that collect and share pathogens. In return, these countries must have priority access to medical countermeasures, capacity-building, and research results.
- By emphasizing the necessity for a PABS framework that prioritizes prevention over mere response. This entails a commitment to the integration of surveillance systems, the collaboration in the management of databases, and the establishment of long-term scientific partnerships that are founded on fairness and reciprocity.
- With an approach based on transparency, co-construction, and the inclusion of local and scientific communities. The BSAP must not be considered a technocratic mechanism; rather, it should reflect strong ethical principles and reinforce trust between stakeholders.
President Macron has announced that a One Health World Summit will be held on November 3, 2025. What role can PREZODE play in this high-level event?
This is a significant development that presents a unique opportunity to advance the global health agenda. PREZODE implements the One Health approach, bringing together and soliciting the best players in the field. Our initiative was established at the One Planet Summit in January 2021, in response to the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. Our first achievements prove the impact of this mobilization and will be presented at the upcoming summit. PREZODE is prepared to contribute proactively, offering both scientific and technical expertise.
The initiative has demonstrated proficiency in mobilizing its global network to amplify the voices of those countries most vulnerable to the risks posed by emerging diseases, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. PREZODE brings extensive field experience, deep local knowledge, and a solid track record of collaborative research expertise. We are ready to contribute to the success of the Summit. It is a crucial opportunity to showcase that effective solutions already exist and are being implemented on the ground. It also recalls that the time to act is now – and that investing in prevention is essential.