MINSK, 30 November (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to actively participate in negotiations on the development of a new international document on pandemics, Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich said speaking by a video link at a special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) taking place in Geneva on 29-30 November, BelTA learned from the press service of the Healthcare Ministry.
“We all share the view that amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with its devastating impact on the socio-economic development of all countries of the world, the status quo is no longer acceptable,” the minister said. He went on saying that there is an understanding that unresolved or emerging health challenges only exacerbate negative trends in global politics and complicate sustainable development processes.
Dmitry Pinevich believes that the development of a WHO convention, agreement or other international instruments on pandemic preparedness and response is an important step in challenging the status quo in the interests of all. “The Republic of Belarus supports the decision of this WHA special session to embark on negotiations to develop an international document on pandemics,” he said.
At the same time, Dmitry Pinevich noted that the work to draft a new international document on pandemic preparedness and response is associated with certain risks. “Belarus takes all these risks seriously. We hope that this international effort will be in conformity with the spirits and decisions of the current special session of the WHA,” he said.
Dmitry Pinevich assured the participants of the special session that Belarus is ready to actively and constructively participate in negotiations on the development of a new international document on pandemics, including as a member of the WHO Executive Board.
The participants of the special session are considering the development of a WHO convention, agreement or another international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. Representatives of WHO's 194 member states are taking part in the event held in a mixed format.
