Australian Health Minister Mark Butler met with World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva. The two leaders discussed the pandemic accord, negotiations on International Health Regulations (IHR) amendments, and ending HIV. In a post to X, Mr.
Ghebreyesus shared two photos shaking hands with Mr. Butler and a third photo in discussion with multiple officials. Mr.
Butler shared the post, but did not elaborate on the details of his meeting with Mr. Ghebreyesus. This came after Mr.
Butler told the 77th World Health Assembly that Australia is “fully committed” to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. “An ambition for a set of binding commitments to prevent another pandemic and to be better prepared to respond more effectively and importantly more equitably when the next pandemic hits.” Mr.
Butler said the negotiators on the pandemic agreement, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), has developed into a “distinguished bureau.” These changes include clearly defining “pandemic emergency” and requiring each member state party to the agreement to establish one or two entities to serve as the National International Health Regulations Authority. This new authority shall be “accessible for communications” with WHO contact points at all times, according to the regulations.
The state parties shall also take measures to implement this national authority, including “adjusting their domestic legislative and/or administrative arrangeme.
