APEC: Need To Develop New International Instrument For Future Pandemic Prevention, Responses

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies recognised the need to develop a new international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response to strengthen the International Health Regulations (2005). In a statement by the chair after the 12th APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy (HLM12) convened in Bangkok, it said the world needs to be more prepared for future pandemics and other health threats via enhanced investments in health security. “HLM12 encouraged economies, development partners and the private sector to increase their investment in accelerating the development and production of safe, effective and quality-assured vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to prevent, detect and treat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and called for stronger global collaboration in addressing public health emergencies. “HLM12 reaffirmed the importance of immunisation programmes as the most cost‐effective public health measures, which have direct impacts on economic benefits and growth in our region,” it said. The statement also said HLM12 welcomed continued efforts to create an open, fair and inclusive digital economy which fosters the application of new technologies, allows businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive, and cooperate on facilitating the flow of data that will strengthen APEC economies and our ability to address COVID‐19 and future health challenges. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired the two-day HLM12 meeting that concluded on Friday. Themed “Open to Partnership. Connect with the World. Balance Health and the Economy,” the meeting supported the realisation of the Putrajaya Vision 2040. The statement said APEC member economies are committed to improve health and well-being, aiming to promote trade, inclusive growth and development in the APEC region and to increase their investment in health security and health system. The APEC economies also reaffirmed commitment to better prepare for future pandemics and other health threats and to achieve and maintain universal health coverage. “There is no wealth without health,” it said. It also recognised that public health strategies applied in the region to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the global containment of COVID-19 and provided solid foundation for world economic recovery and economic growth in the region. “HLM12 stressed the need to continue efforts to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine delivery, support equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, support healthcare workers and address misinformation,” it said. -- BERNAMA