Pandemic Accord: MSF’s Comments on Equity Provisions in WHO’s Zero Draft

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Access Campaign

In light of the global impact of the COVID pandemic and the need to ensure better preparation for a more effective response to future pandemics, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s 194 member states established a process to draft and negotiate a new accord on Pandemic Accord: MSF’s Comments on Equity Provisions in Zero Draft1 February 2023, the zero draft of the accord was published by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB). Recognising the lack of solidarity and equity that marked the response to the COVID pandemic, the zero draft emphasises equity as “a principle, an indicator and an outcome” of PPR.

In this briefing document, MSF analyses provisions related to transparency, intellectual property (IP), research and development (R&D), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), stockpiling, and access and benefit sharing in the accord zero draft. The definitions and scope of these provisions, as well as the nature of obligations contained therein, are key to determining the extent to which the accord can meaningfully address inequity.

• Technical Brief – Pandemic Accord: MSF’s Comments on Equity Provisions in Zero Draft
• Annex 1 – Summary of MSF’s Recommendations to Mmember States
• Annex 2 – Comments on Key Provisions of the Draft in Tabular Form