Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says Canada supports the development of a new global convention on pandemic preparedness and response to be discussed today at a special meeting of the World Health Assembly.
It is only the second time in its history that the group has held such an emergency summit.
If member countries agree, the assembly will go to work developing what would essentially serve as an international treaty on pandemic preparedness.
The idea is to prevent another global crisis like the one posed by COVID-19 and its new, more transmissible variants.
Duclos, who would serve as the federal government’s chief delegate, says the convention would help countries collaborate and allow Canada to more easily share its experience on the world stage.
The WHO working group on the docket says governments should seek to develop the convention alongside efforts to strengthen the existing International Health Regulations.
This Canadian Press report was first published on November 29, 2021.
Reference-www.nationalobserver.com