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Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement regarding the June 1, 2024 decisions by World Health Organization (WHO) member states at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) to extend negotiations of the Pandemic Treaty and to adopt amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).

“I welcome the WHA’s decision to extend Pandemic Treaty negotiations. Too much about this treaty remains unknown, such as sovereignty protections, usage of taxpayer dollars, and if it will be submitted to the Senate for ratification.

“The lack of clarity regarding how the adopted IHR amendments will be implemented is also very concerning. Without greater clarity, I stand ready to call for the United States to reject these amendments as is its right under Articles 59 and 61 of the IHR.” 

Background:

  • The negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement/Treaty were extended up to one year, for the draft to be considered either in a special session before the end of this year or during the 78th WHA.
  • During the WHA, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, stated that the “agreement will go to parliaments for consideration and ratification.”
  • Little clarity exists regarding how IHR provisions will be implemented, including those related to the declaration of a “pandemic emergency” requiring “whole of government and whole of society” responses and “equitable access to relevant health products.”
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