Philippines assumes co-facilitator role in Pandemic Treaty negotiations

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has assumed a key role as one of the co-facilitators in the ongoing negotiations on the Pandemic Treaty, according to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the drafting group meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) recently held at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, the Philippines, together with Colombia and Saudi Arabia, led member-state discussions on co-development and transfer of technology and know-how, one of the more challenging issues that will operationalize the proposed instrument.

The Philippines was appointed as a co-facilitator by fellow member-states during the 6th Meeting of the INB in July.

Co-facilitators are entrusted to help find convergence in the most crucial topics covered by the Pandemic Treaty.

“There is broad agreement among member-states that there is a need for a specific article on tech transfer in the Pandemic Treaty that would help expand access to countermeasures through diversification and decentralization of production,” Philippine Mission in Geneva First Secretary Jeff Valdez said during the meeting.

“Where there appears to be divergence is the extent to which such transfer of technology should be voluntary or mandatory, so this is what we hope to address in the next sessions,” Valdez added.

Other member-states appointed as co-facilitators for various topics are Australia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Tanzania and the United Kingdom.

The Philippines, Colombia and Saudi Arabia will conduct additional sessions this month as requested by member-states.

“The Philippines is fully committed to the Pandemic Treaty negotiations, and we welcome the trust and support from fellow WHO member-states,” Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, permanent representative of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva, said.