Twelfth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) for a WHO instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response

4 – 15 November 2024

In December 2021, the World Health Assembly established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the Constitution of the World Health Organization, to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The Twelfth meeting of the INB is to be held in hybrid format from 4-15 November 2024. (PROGRAM ITINERARY HERE) The opening and closing plenary sessions of the INB are open to WHO Member States, Associate Members, Observers and regional economic integration organizations, as well all relevant stakeholders. These sessions, on 4 November and 15 November, will be publicly webcast and archived for later viewing. Relevant stakeholders (Annexes A–E) will be invited to join for a brief open session at the beginning of each day to be updated on progress and provide their views on relevant Articles. Substantive negotiating sessions will be held in closed format.

Watch some the webcast here.

According to https://healthpolicy-watch.news/ WHO member states are still divided on important issues related to a pandemic agreement. The latest talks suggest a weakened agreement, with future discussions likely accepted by only a few countries. After inconclusive talks, INB12 is currently happening this week. A decision was needed by tomorrow on whether to hold a December WHA meeting, which has now been canceled. The Africa Group and the US were in favor of this meeting, seeing it as a crucial chance for a favorable outcome.

Many countries, including the European Union, urged caution. EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen emphasized the need for workable solutions since several key issues remain unresolved.

Representing 35 countries in the Equity Group, Malaysia outlined the significant challenges low and middle-income countries face to improve their situation. Their main concern is ensuring that countries sharing information about dangerous pathogens can benefit from vaccines and other medical advancements resulting from this collaboration.

The #pandemic agreement will not be adopted at a special World Health Assembly (WHA) next month as countries still need “more time” to conclude the complex talks.