First Deputy Minister of Health Lena Nanushyan participated in the WHO’s fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) in Geneva.
Considering the experience of COVID-19, this body is developing a document on epidemic prevention, preparedness, and response that will be acceptable to all member states.
Currently, a zero project is being discussed, which the Armenian side considers acceptable, but proposes several changes.
In her speech, Lena Nanushyan mentioned the UN Secretary General’s 2020 call for a global ceasefire during pandemics. She proposed including a clause establishing a ceasefire during pandemics in the agreement.
She suggested building the document with the logic of “prevention-preparation-reaction-recovery.” She also called to emphasize the provisions related to the prevention of co-infections as the most critical measure in the fight against co-infections. In this framework, she stresses the inclusion of conditions on the PHC link and the importance of combating misinformation.
The representatives of the political leadership of the WTO member-states and the sector experts discussed the possible solutions to prevent further co-infections and deal with them best.
The Armenian side has expressed readiness to participate in further negotiations to make the document more comprehensive.
