World Health Assembly Approves Pandemic Agreement, Slovakia Abstains

Geneva, 20 May (TASR) - The World Health Assembly, a body of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday (19 May) endorsed the text of a global pandemic agreement, with 124 countries voting in favour. A two-thirds majority of 83 votes was needed for its adoption. Eleven states abstained, including Slovakia, Iran, Poland or Israel. No delegation voted against. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced on Monday that the Slovak delegation has been instructed not to support the pandemic agreement. "Because it violates the principle of the sovereignty of member states and disproportionately interferes in the sphere of human rights," he said. The premier then clarified that not supporting the pandemic agreement in practice means voting against the agreement or abstaining from voting. Fico informed over the weekend that according to the government's decision the Slovak delegation should not support the pandemic agreement. The delegation should have also asked for a vote on it instead of adopting it by global consensus. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked Premier Fico by telephone on Monday to take action so that the Slovak government would change its stance and not demand a vote on the pandemic agreement. However, the Slovak representative asked for a vote at the evening meeting. The text of the pandemic agreement aimed at better preparing for and combating pandemics has been negotiated over several years. The document aims to improve detection, readiness and response to future pandemics through better international coordination, information sharing and fairer access to vaccines and medicines. At least 60 states will have to ratify the agreement for it to enter into force. am