“I urge you to work, together with me, to ensure that our countries and regions have a leading role in the development of new health rules. Vaccines are a global public good, but without diversifying supply and building up production and local and regional levels, we will never achieve equitable access.”

Brussels, 20 May 2021/OACPS: President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, President of the 9^th Summit of Heads of State of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) issued a letter to OACPS Heads of State and Government entreating them to support the proposal for an International Treaty on Pandemic Preparedness and Response in the framework of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The proposal to conclude the Treaty is currently discussed in the context of ongoing international efforts to reinforce global health security.

H.E. Kenyatta is one of six OACPS Heads of State, from all three OACPS regions to sign a joint article, published in newspapers around the world at the end of March 2021, to have a treaty on pandemic preparedness and response, drawing from the lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic, initiated by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

The proposal for an international treaty on pandemics adopted under the World Health Organization would enable countries around the globe to strengthen national, regional and global capacities and resilience to future pandemics. It would ensure that there is more transparency, accountability and shared responsibility in the international system and would lay the foundation for better communication and information to citizens.

President Kenyatta, convened, along with the OACPS in June 2020, an Extraordinary Inter-Sessional Summit for OACPS Heads of States and Government and key international organisations, to promote enhanced global solidarity to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

Click HERE to see a copy of the letter.