23 world leaders back treaty proposal on health emergencies like pandemic

The governments of nearly two dozen countries signaled their support on Tuesday for a treaty that would declare the health of humans, animals and the planet to be connected and call on member nations to collaborate to address future global health emergencies.

Reuters reported that leaders of 23 nations including South Korea, Germany, South Africa and the United Kingdom penned a joint op-ed set to run in multiple major newspapers calling for international support for the proposed treaty. The World Health Organization (WHO) also reportedly supports the effort.

President Biden was not on the list. The Hill has reached out to the State Department and the White House for comment on the Biden administration’s position toward joining such a treaty.

“There will be other pandemics and other major health emergencies. No single government or multilateral agency can address this threat alone,” read the op-ed publishing Tuesday.

“We believe that nations should work together towards a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response,” it continued.

The op-ed comes as more than 2.7 million people have died from COVID-19 around the world, with more possible due to unreported deaths. More than 127 million cases have been recorded since the pandemic began in late 2019.

“We are convinced that it is our responsibility, as leaders of nations and international institutions, to ensure that the world learns the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the op-ed concludes.

The Biden administration moved in January to officially rejoin the WHO, after the Trump administration withdrew the U.S. last year over claims that the agency was too lenient on China’s government.