PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Disease Control: International Cooperation (18 February 2022)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she (a) has had and (b) plans to have with relevant stakeholders on ensuring the prioritisation of access to essential public health measures, including the availability of clean water, safe sanitation and good hygiene, within negotiations for a new international agreement on pandemic preparedness and response.

Asked by:
Fleur Anderson (Labour)

The UK was proud to co-sponsor a resolution at the World Health Assembly Special Session in November 2021. This resolution approves the formation of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The INB will hold its first meeting by 1 March 2022 and submit its outcome for consideration by the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024. The UK will engage stakeholders as negotiations begin, with a view to a final outcome that learns the lessons of COVID-19 to strengthen preparedness for and response to, future potential pandemics. This will include engaging relevant water, sanitation and hygiene stakeholders.

Answered by:
Dame Amanda Milling (Conservative)
28 February 2022