Joint Plenary Meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) and the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (WGIHR)
On 23 February 2024, IFPMA submitted a statement at the Joint Plenary Meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) and the Working Group on the Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (WGIHR) in Geneva, Switzerland.
At this key juncture of the negotiations, it is more critical than ever to have a coordinated, coherent, and complementary approach in addressing the key Articles of both negotiations, particularly on equitable access.
No single entity nor Member State can tackle these complex challenges alone. Multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral engagement, including governments, civil society, and private sector, are essential to shape pragmatic, implementable, and sustainable solutions, with equity front and center.
While two-minute plenary statements are helpful for high-level input and informal opportunities have increasingly been made available for ad-hoc stakeholder contributions, we welcome further consideration from this joint plenary on how best to formally consult with relevant stakeholders in a meaningful, balanced way.
With text-based negotiations to start in the coming weeks, it is imperative that there is a common understanding of potential solutions and that they are grounded in evidence and validated for feasibility as early as possible.
We take this opportunity to reaffirm the innovative pharmaceutical industry’s full commitment to constructively contribute to both processes. We stand ready to cooperate and collaborate closely with Member States and other stakeholders to facilitate convergence toward successful outcomes in May.
About IFPMA
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) represents over 90 innovative pharmaceutical companies and associations around the world. Our industry’s almost three million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that advance global health. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community improve the lives of people everywhere. For more information, visit ifpma.org.
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