Hostname: page-component-8678677fb7-89zkc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-10-14T18:37:23.125Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Shaping Global Health Law through United Nations Governance: The UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2024

Benjamin Mason Meier Open the ORCID record for Benjamin Mason Meier [Opens in a new window] ,
Alexandra Finch  and
Nina Schwalbe
Benjamin Mason Meier
Affiliation:
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL, NC, USA
Alexandra Finch
Affiliation:
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL, NC, USA
Nina Schwalbe
Affiliation:
SPARK STREET ADVISORS, NEW YORK, NY, USA.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM) on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR) was a missed opportunity to bring high-level commitment and momentum to the global governance of health emergencies. Intended to bring much-needed attention to a policy issue that is rapidly slipping down the international agenda, the fraught diplomacy among member states, lack of consensus on key issues, and weak UN Political Declaration in New York foreshadow a difficult road ahead for upcoming negotiations under the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. This column chronicles the evolving engagement of the UN in global health governance, examines the diplomatic process leading to the UN HLM on PPPR, and assesses the contributions and missed opportunities of its resulting Political Declaration.

Keywords

United Nations (UN)United Nations General AssemblyWorld Health Organization (WHO)Global Health LawCovid-19Global Health Law

Information

Type
Columns: Global Health Law
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 51 , Issue 4: Medical-Legal Partnerships: Equity, Evaluation, and Evolution , Winter 2023 , pp. 972 - 978
Copyright
© 2024 The Author(s)

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Footnotes

About This Column

Lawrence O. Gostin and Benjamin Mason Meier serve as the section editors for Global Health Law. Professor Gostin is a University Professor at Georgetown University, the Founding Linda D. & Timothy J. O’Neill Professor of Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center, and the Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. Professor Meier is a Professor of Global Health Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Senior Scholar at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. This column features timely analyses and perspectives on law, policy, and justice in global health.

References

Kickbusch, I. and Buss, P., “Global Health Diplomacy and Peace,” Infectious Disease Clinics of North America 25, no. 3 (2011): 601–610.Google ScholarPubMed
Burci, G.L and Kümmel, B.. “Global Health Diplomacy: The Process of Developing Global Health Law and Policy” in Global Health Law and Policy: Ensuring Justice for a Healthier World (New York: Oxford University Press, 2023).Google Scholar
Buse, K., Mialon, M., and Jones, A., “Thinking Politically About UN Political Declarations: A Recipe for Healthier Commitments—Free of Commercial Interests Comment on ‘Competing Frames in Global Health Governance: An Analysis of Stakeholder Influence on the Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases,’” International Journal of Health Policy and Management 11, no. 7 (2021): 1208–1211.Google ScholarPubMed
Sekalala, S. and Masud, H., “Soft Law Possibilities in Global Health Law,” Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 49, no. 1 (2021): 152–155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
UN General Assembly, “United Nations Millennium Declaration,” UN Doc. A/RES/55/2 (September 18, 2000).Google Scholar
Freedman, L.P., “Achieving the MDGs: Health Systems as Core Social Institutions,” Development 48, no. 1 (2005): 19–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ruggie, J.G., “The United Nations and Globalization: Patterns and Limits of Institutional Adaptation,” Global Governance 9, no. 3 (2003): 301–21; S. Fukuda-Parr and D. Hulme, International Norm Dynamics and ‘The End of Poverty’: Understanding the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (Manchester: Brooks World Poverty Institute, University of Manchester, 2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
UN General Assembly, “Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS,” UN Doc A/RES/S-26/2 (August 2, 2001).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
UN Security Council, Resolution 1308 (2000), UN Doc. S/RES/1308 (July 17, 2000).Google Scholar
Rushton, S., “AIDS and International Security in the United Nations System,” Health Policy and Planning 25, no. 6 (2010): 495–504.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parker, R., “The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic, Structural Inequalities, and the Politics of International Health,” American Journal of Public Health 92, no. 3 (2002): 343–347.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rodi, P., Obermeyer, W., Pablos-Mendez, A., Gori, A., and Raviglione, M.C., “Political Rationale, Aims, and Outcomes of Health-Related High-Level Meetings and Special Sessions at the UN General Assembly: A Policy Research Observational Study,” PLOS Medicine 19, no. 1 (2022): e1003873.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morrison, J.S., “Reflections on the UN High-Level Meeting on Non-communicable Diseases,” Center for Strategic & International Studies, September 26, 2011, available at < https://www.csis.org/blogs/smart-global-health/reflections-un-high-level-meeting-noncommunicable-diseases > (last visited October 4, 2023).Google Scholar
Sridhar, D., Morrison, J.S., and Piot, P., “Expectations for the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-communicable Diseases,” Bulletin of the World Health Organization 89, no. 7 (2011): 471.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alleyne, G., Stuckler, D., and Alwan, A., “The Hope and the Promise of the UN Resolution on Non-Communicable Diseases,” Globalization and Health 6, no. 1 (2010): 15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
UN General Assembly, “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” UN Doc A/RES/70/1 (October 21, 2015).Google Scholar
Dagron, S. and Rowe, J. Hasselgård-. “Sustainable Development: The 2030 Agenda and Its Implications for Global Health Law” in Global Health Law and Policy: Ensuring Justice for a Healthier World (New York: Oxford University Press, 2023).Google Scholar
UN General Assembly Economic and Social Council, “Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Towards a Rescue Plan for People and the Planet,” UN Doc A/78/80-E/2023/64 (April 27, 2023), available at <https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/SDG%20Progress%20Report%20Special%20Edition.pdf?_gl=1*1pd47pa*_ga*MTc2MjY4NTk1LjE1MDQ4MDU3NDE.*_ga_TK9BQL5X7Z*MTY5NjE4ODIyNS43LjEuMTY5NjE4ODMwOC4wLjAuMA> (last visited October 4, 2023).+(last+visited+October+4,+2023).>Google Scholar
Guterres, A., “Secretary-General’s opening remarks at virtual press encounter on COVID-19 Crisis,” United Nations Secretary-General, March 19, 2020, available at <https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2020-03-19/remarks-virtual-press-encounter-covid-19-crisis> (last visited October 4, 2023); UN General Assembly, “United Response Against Global Health Threats: Combating COVID-19,” UN Doc A/RES/74/307 (September 15, 2020); UN General Assembly, “Special Session of the General Assembly in Response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic,” UN Doc A/RES/75/4 (November 9, 2020).Google Scholar
UN General Assembly, “High-level Event on Ending the COVID-19 Pandemic through Equitable Access to Tests, Treatments and Vaccines” (September 23, 2022).Google Scholar
Meier, B.M., Habibi, R., and Gostin, L. O., “A Global Health Law Trilogy: Transformational Reforms to Strengthen Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response,” Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 50 (2022): 625–627.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gostin, L. O., Wetter, S., Finch, A., and Halabi, S., “Assessing The UN’s Political Declaration On Pandemics: What Should Happen Next?” Health Affairs (forthcoming October 2023).Google Scholar
UN General Assembly, “High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response,” UN Doc A/RES/76/301 (September 9, 2022).Google Scholar
UN General Assembly, “High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response,” UN Doc A/76/L.76 (July 29, 2022).Google Scholar
The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response, “COVID-19: Make It the Last Pandemic,” Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response, May 2, 2021, available at <https://theindependentpanel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/COVID-19-Make-it-the-Last-Pandemic_final.pdf> (last visited October 10, 2023).CrossRef+(last+visited+October+10,+2023).>Google Scholar
UN President of the GA. Letter dated June 6, 2023. ‘Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response HLM Co-facs Letter – Zero Draft of the Political Declaration.’ (2023), Accessed on 27 September 2023, available at <https://www.un.org/pga/77/2023/06/06/letter-from-the-president-of-the-general-assembly-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response-hlm-co-facs-letter-zero-draft-of-the-political-declaration/>..>Google Scholar
International Institute for Sustainable Development, “UN Bodies Formalize Silence Procedure for Decision-Making during Pandemic,” International Institute for Sustainable Development, April 16, 2020, available at <https://sdg.iisd.org:443/news/un-bodies-formalize-silence-procedure-for-decision-making-during-pandemic/> (last visited October 10, 2023).+(last+visited+October+10,+2023).>Google Scholar
UN General Assembly, “Roadmap on Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response Political Declaration,” (May 2, 2023), available at <https://www.un.org/pga/77/wp-content/uploads/sites/105/2023/05/Roadmap-on-Pandemic-Preparedness-Final-sent-MS.pdf> (last visited October 4, 2023).+(last+visited+October+4,+2023).>Google Scholar
Gostin, L. O., Wetter, S., Halabi, S., and Finch, A., “O’Neill Briefing: The United Nations Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response,” O’Neill Institute, September 20, 2023, available at <https://oneill.law.georgetown.edu/publications/oneill-briefing-the-united-nations-political-declaration-on-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response/> (last visited October 4, 2023).Google Scholar
The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Helen Clark Open Letter to Leaders and Decision-Makers Responsible for the Political Declaration to Be Agreed for the 20 September UNGA High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response,” Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, July 9, 2023, available at <https://theindependentpanel.org/ellen-johnson-sirleaf-and-helen-clark-open-letter-to-leaders-and-decision-makers-responsible-for-the-political-declaration-to-be-agreed-for-the-20-september-unga-high-level-meeting-on-pandemic-prevent/> (last visited October 10, 2023).+(last+visited+October+10,+2023).>Google Scholar
Cullinan, K., “Russia and Allies Refuse to Support High-Level UN Declarations on Health and Sustainable Development Goals,” Health Policy Watch, September 18, 2023, available at <https://healthpolicy-watch.news/russia-and-allies-refuse-to-support-un-declarations-of-health/> (last visited October 4, 2023).Google Scholar
Fogarty, D., “Explanation of Position on the Adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response,” United States Mission to the United Nations (September 2, 2022), available at <https://usun.usmission.gov/explanation-of-position-on-the-adoption-of-the-un-general-assembly-resolution-on-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response/> (last visited October 4, 2023).Google Scholar
Bristol, N., “High-Level Action Missing on Pandemic Preparedness,” Center for Strategic & International Studies, October 6, 2023, available at <https://www.csis.org/analysis/high-level-action-missing-pandemic-preparedness> (last visited October 10, 2023).Google Scholar
Pandemic Action Network, “Pandemic Action Network Statement on the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Political Declaration,” Pandemic Action Network, September 21, 2023, available at <https://www.pandemicactionnetwork.org/news/pandemic-action-network-statement-on-the-un-high-level-meeting-on-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response-political-declaration/> (last visited October 10, 2023).+(last+visited+October+10,+2023).>Google Scholar
See Gostin, Wetter, Halabi, and Finch, supra note 29.Google Scholar
Third World Network, “UNGA: Political Declaration on Pandemic Pays Lip Service to Equity,” Third World Network, September 19, 2023, available at <https://www.twn.my/title2/health.info/2023/hi230903.htm> (last visited October 10, 2023).+(last+visited+October+10,+2023).>Google Scholar
Hanbali, L., Hannon, E., Lehtimaki, S., McNab, C., and Schwalbe, N., Independent Monitoring Mechanism for the Pandemic Accord: Accountability for a Safer World (United Nations University International Institute of Global Health, 2022); L. Hanbali, S. Lehtimaki, E. Hannon, C. McNab, and N. Schwalbe, “Independent Monitoring for the Pandemic Accord: A Non-Negotiable Provision,” The Lancet 401, no. 10376 (2023): 553.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kavanagh, M.M., Wenham, C., Da Fonseca, E. Massard, Helfer, L.R., Nyukuri, E., Maleche, A., Halabi, S.F., Radhakrishnan, A. and Waris, A., “Increasing Compliance with International Pandemic Law: International Relations and New Global Health Agreements,” The Lancet 402, no. 10407 (2023): 1097–1106.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, “UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: Key Asks and Suggested Wording for the Political Declaration,” Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, June 8, 2023, available at <https://www.gpmb.org/annual-reports/overview/item/gpmb-key-asks-for-the-un-high-level-meeting-on-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response> (last visited October 10, 2023).+(last+visited+October+10,+2023).>Google Scholar
See Gostin, Wetter, Halabi, and Finch, supra note 29.Google Scholar