WHO chief vows independent review of global pandemic response
4 years, 7 months ago

WHO chief vows independent review of global pandemic response

Al Jazeera  

Speaking at the World Health Assembly, held virtually, China also backs a ‘comprehensive review’ of the pandemic. Addressing the two-day forum on Monday, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar called WHO’s response a “failure” of information gathering and transparency that “cost many lives”. Internal review Despite the criticism, the WHO’s seven-member internal oversight body also issued its first report of the organisation’s pandemic response on Monday, saying the WHO “demonstrated leadership” in handling the pandemic between January and April, while calling for some reforms. The report backed a probe into the global response, but said conducting it during the heat of the pandemic “could disrupt WHO’s ability to respond effectively”. “The US must be held to account for its intensifying unilateral sanctions against Iran and other affected nations,” Saeed Namaki, Iran’s health minister, said in a virtual address to WHA.

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History of this topic

Representatives support WHA's decision to reject Taiwan-related proposal again
7 months, 1 week ago

Representatives support WHA's decision to reject Taiwan-related proposal again

China Daily  

Delegates attend the 77th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, May 27, 2024. GENEVA -- Representatives from Kiribati, Nicaragua and Guinea-Bissau expressed their support for the 77th World Health Assembly 's decision to reject Taiwan-related proposal once again. The WHA, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization, decided not …

Chinese FM spokesperson comments on 77th WHA rejecting proposal on Taiwan
7 months, 1 week ago

Chinese FM spokesperson comments on 77th WHA rejecting proposal on Taiwan

China Daily  

Delegates attend the 77th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, May 27, 2024. BEIJING -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday made remarks regarding that the 77th World Health Assembly rejected the so-called proposal of "inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer" submitted by certain countries. Taiwan's …

World Health Assembly hopes to reinforce pandemic preparedness after bold treaty project stalls
7 months, 1 week ago

World Health Assembly hopes to reinforce pandemic preparedness after bold treaty project stalls

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Member countries kicked off the World Health Organization’s annual assembly on Monday with hopes of improving global readiness for deadly outbreaks like COVID-19, after an ambitious “pandemic treaty” ran aground last week. A bold project to adopt a pandemic “treaty” at this week’s World Health Assembly was shelved on Friday as 2 1/2 years of work ran into …

'Deadlier than Covid': WHO chief urges nations to prepare for next pandemic
1 year, 7 months ago

'Deadlier than Covid': WHO chief urges nations to prepare for next pandemic

India TV News  

At a time when Covid cases are somewhat stabilising around the world, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation, issued a warning that the world must prepare for the next pandemic, which might be "even deadlier" than the Covid-19 pandemic. At the annual meeting of the United Nations agency, the head of WHO praised countries' "historic" decision …

WHO at 75: Not a ‘global health police’
1 year, 9 months ago

WHO at 75: Not a ‘global health police’

The Hindu  

Published : Apr 07, 2023 16:29 IST - 5 MINS READ In April 1945, politicians from around the world gathered in San Francisco to establish the United Nations. “Perhaps the most noteworthy was the eradication of smallpox, the only human disease to be eradicated,” said El-Sadr, who also leads Columbia University’s Mailman School’s Global Health Initiative. “While there were others …

‘Remarkable feat of human ingenuity’: UNGA prez Abdulla Shahid hails scientists
3 years, 3 months ago

‘Remarkable feat of human ingenuity’: UNGA prez Abdulla Shahid hails scientists

Hindustan Times  

President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid on Tuesday hailed the scientists and researchers producing multiple vaccines against the coronavirus disease in record time. United Nations General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid addresses the 76th Session of the global summit at UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Addressing the plenary of the 76th UNGA, …

Wealthy nations ‘far from targets’ on COVID vaccine donations
3 years, 5 months ago

Wealthy nations ‘far from targets’ on COVID vaccine donations

Al Jazeera  

An expert independent panel monitoring the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic says wealthy nations have not done enough to transfer COVID-19 vaccines to developing nations where they are desperately needed as the Delta variant drives a new wave of disease around the world, In May, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, called for the reallocation of one …

Pandemic is a test and world is failing: WHO chief ahead of Tokyo Olympics
3 years, 5 months ago

Pandemic is a test and world is failing: WHO chief ahead of Tokyo Olympics

India Today  

With Covid-19 causing devastation across the globe, it has left many people wondering: When will this pandemic end? Responding to this, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "The pandemic is a test and the world is failing." Addressing the International Olympic Committee meeting in Tokyo, the World Health Organisation chief said, "It's a question I am often asked, and …

At WHA talk-shop, countries mull WHO reforms and rebuilding post-Covid world
3 years, 7 months ago

At WHA talk-shop, countries mull WHO reforms and rebuilding post-Covid world

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Assembly will on Tuesday take up a resolution for discussion on the coronavirus disease pandemic and how to deal with health emergencies. The draft resolution, proposed by Australia, Canada and 27 other countries, and members of the European Union, has recommended strengthening the World Health Organization for better preparedness and response to such pandemic-like situations. The resolution …

A year on, WHO still struggling to manage pandemic response
3 years, 9 months ago

A year on, WHO still struggling to manage pandemic response

Associated Press  

GENEVA — When the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic one year ago Thursday, it did so only after weeks of resisting the term and maintaining that the highly infectious virus could still be stopped. “Everybody has been wondering why WHO was so praising of China back in January” 2020, Burci said, adding that the praise has come …

WHO official: It is "unrealistic" to expect pandemic to be over by end of 2021
3 years, 10 months ago

WHO official: It is "unrealistic" to expect pandemic to be over by end of 2021

Salon  

A senior official at the World Health Organization believes that the world should not assume that the COVID-19 pandemic will be over by the end of 2021. It is "premature" and "unrealistic" to believe that the pandemic will be a thing of the past by Dec. 31, director of WHO emergencies program director Dr. Michael Ryan told reporters on Monday. …

Biden’s US revives support for WHO, reversing Trump retreat
3 years, 11 months ago

Biden’s US revives support for WHO, reversing Trump retreat

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The United States will resume funding for the World Health Organization and join its consortium aimed at sharing coronavirus vaccines fairly around the globe, President Joe Biden’s top adviser on the pandemic said Thursday, renewing support for an agency that the Trump administration had pulled back from. “The role of the United States, its role, global role is …

UN chief welcomes US re-engagement with WHO
3 years, 11 months ago

UN chief welcomes US re-engagement with WHO

India TV News  

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the United States’ stated re-engagement with the World Health Organization, saying supporting the health agency is “absolutely critical” to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. "Supporting the WHO is absolutely critical to the world’s efforts for a better coordinated response against COVID-19,” a statement issued by the UN Chief's spokesperson on Wednesday said. “With vaccines being a …

Recordings reveal WHO’s analysis of pandemic in private
4 years, 1 month ago

Recordings reveal WHO’s analysis of pandemic in private

Associated Press  

GENEVA — As the coronavirus exploded around the globe, scientists at the World Health Organization were sometimes privately frustrated by the mistakes made by some of their top donor countries but reluctant to say so publicly, leaked recordings of internal meetings show. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for COVID-19, noted that the agency lacked “enough detail to say what …

Recordings reveal WHO’s analysis of pandemic in private
4 years, 1 month ago

Recordings reveal WHO’s analysis of pandemic in private

Associated Press  

GENEVA — As the coronavirus explodes again, the World Health Organization finds itself both under intense pressure to reform and holding out hope that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will reverse a decision by Washington to leave the health agency. Biden has promised to overturn President Donald Trump’s decision in June to cut off funds to WHO and withdraw the U.S. …

Recordings reveal WHO's analysis of pandemic in private
4 years, 1 month ago

Recordings reveal WHO's analysis of pandemic in private

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As the coronavirus explodes again, …

US: WHO not sharing enough info about China virus probe
4 years, 1 month ago

US: WHO not sharing enough info about China virus probe

Associated Press  

GENEVA — A senior U.S. government official complained Tuesday that the World Health Organization has not shared enough information about its planned mission to China to investigate the animal origins of the coronavirus. “Understanding the origins of COVID-19 through a transparent and inclusive investigation is what must be done.” In recent months, a long-planned WHO-led team seeking to investigate the …

Can beat coronavirus, must prepare for next pandemic now: WHO
4 years, 2 months ago

Can beat coronavirus, must prepare for next pandemic now: WHO

India Today  

The World Health Organisation has shared three crucial messages in the virtual session of 73rd World Health Assembly and said that the coronavirus can be defeated with science, solutions and solidarity. The World Health Assembly will in this regard consider a draft resolution that strengthens preparedness for health emergencies, such as Covid-19, through more robust compliance with the International Health …

China ‘bought’ WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: Michael Pompeo tells UK MPs
4 years, 5 months ago

China ‘bought’ WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: Michael Pompeo tells UK MPs

Live Mint  

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo told a group of British lawmakers that China had “bought” the head of the World Health Organization, according to people familiar with the matter. Speaking a day after Tuesday’s meeting, Conservative member of Parliament Iain Duncan Smith, who was present, confirmed that Pompeo had said China swayed the WHO director-general election in May 2017 …

WHO to set up panel for 'honest evaluation' of how the world responded to COVID-19
4 years, 5 months ago

WHO to set up panel for 'honest evaluation' of how the world responded to COVID-19

Firstpost  

The 194 member countries of the WHO had asked in May for an evaluation of the global response, it said. The announcement follows strong criticism by US President Donald Trump’s administration of the global agency’s role in the crisis – though the WHO said the review was not linked to the United States. Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark …

How world handled COVID-19: WHO sets up ’independent panel’ after Trump’s criticism
4 years, 6 months ago

How world handled COVID-19: WHO sets up ’independent panel’ after Trump’s criticism

Live Mint  

GENEVA/ZURICH: The World Health Organization said on Thursday it was setting up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments. The announcement follows strong criticism by US President Donald Trump's administration of the global agency's role in the crisis - though the WHO said the review was not linked to the United …

World Health Organization: Trump administration begins formal withdrawal from WHO
4 years, 6 months ago

World Health Organization: Trump administration begins formal withdrawal from WHO

CNN  

CNN — The Trump administration has notified Congress and the United Nations that the United States is formally withdrawing from the World Health Organization, multiple officials tell CNN, a move that comes amid a rising number of coronavirus cases throughout the Americas over the past week. A State Department official also confirmed that “the United States’ notice of withdrawal, effective …

Scapegoating China
4 years, 7 months ago

Scapegoating China

The Hindu  

IT has been apparent for some time now that the Donald Trump administration, in order to cover up for its failure to effectively combat the COVID-19 pandemic, is going all out to target China, where the first cases were detected. Trump announced in the last week of April that his administration was conducting “serious investigations” into Beijing’s handling of the …

Trump announces end of US relationship with World Health Organization
4 years, 7 months ago

Trump announces end of US relationship with World Health Organization

CNN  

CNN — President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States will terminate its relationship with the World Health Organization, a move he has threatened throughout the coronavirus pandemic and one that earned quick criticism from both sides of the aisle. “Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating our …

Fact-Checking And Assessing Trump's Letter Of Rebuke To WHO
4 years, 7 months ago

Fact-Checking And Assessing Trump's Letter Of Rebuke To WHO

NPR  

Fact-Checking And Assessing Trump's Letter Of Rebuke To WHO Enlarge this image toggle caption @realDonaldTrump / Twitter screengrab by NPR @realDonaldTrump / Twitter screengrab by NPR As the world seeks to join together to bring the novel coronavirus under control, President Trump has sent a letter to the World Health Organization threatening that the U.S. will halt all funding and …

Is China the new leader on the world health stage? (Opinion)
4 years, 7 months ago

Is China the new leader on the world health stage? (Opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Michael Bociurkiw is a global affairs analyst, a former spokesman for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and host of the podcast Global Impact. CNN — The World Health Assembly – the biggest event on the global health agenda – held on Monday and Tuesday this week, can be easily summed up: The Trump administration threatened …

Inside Politics – Coronavirus special: Matt Hancock faces scrutiny over testing ‘missteps’
4 years, 7 months ago

Inside Politics – Coronavirus special: Matt Hancock faces scrutiny over testing ‘missteps’

The Independent  

“All losses are restored and sorrows end,” goes one of Shakespeare’s most famous sonnets. Health secretary Matt Hancock is determined the ongoing drama over the government’s “test, track and trace” programme will not turn into a tragedy. Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds, said it was hypocritical for ministers to clap for health workers every Thursday evening only to tell many …

China caves to pressure from WHO, various countries to probe COVID-19 outbreak, nation's response
4 years, 7 months ago

China caves to pressure from WHO, various countries to probe COVID-19 outbreak, nation's response

Firstpost  

Xi pledged $2 bn in aid for countries fighting the pandemic and agreed to an independent evaluation of the coronavirus outbreak. After weeks of back-and-forth between China and countries in the West, led by the United States about a proposal to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 epidemic, China’s leader Xi Jinping caved to pressure from the World Health Organisation. …

WHO bows to calls from countries for independent virus probe
4 years, 7 months ago

WHO bows to calls from countries for independent virus probe

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The World Health Organization bowed to calls Monday from most of its member states to launch an independent probe into how it managed the international response to the coronavirus, which has been clouded by finger-pointing between the U.S. and China over a pandemic that has killed over 300,000 people and leveled the global economy. U.S. National Security Council …

China backs WHO probe into pandemic's origin with conditions, blocks Taiwan's presence at WHA
4 years, 7 months ago

China backs WHO probe into pandemic's origin with conditions, blocks Taiwan's presence at WHA

India Today  

First day of the 73rd World Health Assembly was straight out of the Chinese template - look like you agree and place conditions to make forward movement impossible. So, I will initiate an independent evaluation at the earliest appropriate moment to review experience gained and lessons learned, and to make recommendations to improve national and global pandemic preparedness and response," …

World Health Assembly formally adopts independent review into handling of coronavirus pandemic
4 years, 7 months ago

World Health Assembly formally adopts independent review into handling of coronavirus pandemic

ABC  

The World Health Assembly has formally adopted a resolution calling for an independent review into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Key points: Australia was vocal in calling for the independent review, straining relations with Beijing Australia was vocal in calling for the independent review, straining relations with Beijing Despite initial doubt, China added its name to the resolution before …

WHO approves inquiry into global coronavirus response
4 years, 7 months ago

WHO approves inquiry into global coronavirus response

CNN  

London CNN — The World Health Organization has agreed to hold an inquiry into the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, adopting a resolution a summit that has been overshadowed by President Donald Trump’s threat to permanently cut US funding to the agency. The part of the resolution that had been considered contentious called for “a stepwise process of impartial, …

Coronavirus | Xi defends China’s ‘open’ virus response
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus | Xi defends China’s ‘open’ virus response

The Hindu  

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday Beijing has been “transparent” throughout the coronavirus crisis, and offered to share a vaccine as soon as one was available — as well as $2 billion in aid. Addressing the first-ever virtual gathering of the WHO’s annual assembly, Mr. Xi said China has “always had an open, transparent and responsible attitude”, and had …

What the WHA is and why it could be very important for an inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic
4 years, 7 months ago

What the WHA is and why it could be very important for an inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic

ABC  

As the coronavirus pandemic continues a dominate global politics, another health entity has entered the discussion. The WHA meeting will consider a motion, drafted by the European Union, calling for an "impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation" of the "international health response to COVID-19". Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak Download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of …

Trump threatens to permanently pull funding from WHO and ‘reconsider’ US membership
4 years, 7 months ago

Trump threatens to permanently pull funding from WHO and ‘reconsider’ US membership

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Donald Trump is escalating his threats against the World Health Organization, telling the agency he will permanently pull US funding if it does not “commit to major substantive improvements in the next 30 days.” Trump’s letter – in which he included a false description of when information about the virus was published in The Lancet, prompting …

US attacks WHO for ‘failure’ to curb coronavirus: Live updates
4 years, 7 months ago

US attacks WHO for ‘failure’ to curb coronavirus: Live updates

Al Jazeera  

Failure to obtain information needed to fight COVID-19 cost ‘many lives’, US Secretary of Health Alex Azar alleges. 13:20 GMT – US firm announces ‘positive interim’ phase 1 results for virus vaccine United States biotech firm Moderna reported “positive interim” results on Monday in the first clinical tests of its vaccine against the new coronavirus performed on a small number …

Chinese President Xi Jinping defends coronavirus response, backs WHO-led investigation
4 years, 7 months ago

Chinese President Xi Jinping defends coronavirus response, backs WHO-led investigation

ABC  

Chinese President Xi Jinping has defended China's handling of the coronavirus outbreak, saying his country will support a "comprehensive" World Health Organization-led review into the global response after the virus is brought under control. Key points: Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country has acted with "openness and transparency" throughout the coronavirus outbreak Mr Xi said China would support a …

Health is 'investment in our collective future': WHO chief
4 years, 7 months ago

Health is 'investment in our collective future': WHO chief

India TV News  

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the importance of stronger health systems and the investment in health for all people. "The pandemic has shown again, and in the strongest way possible, that investing in health is not just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do," he said at a virtual press conference from Geneva …

EU wants coronavirus vaccine patents to be made widely available in pooling arrangement
4 years, 7 months ago

EU wants coronavirus vaccine patents to be made widely available in pooling arrangement

ABC  

A global effort is underway to find a vaccine for COVID-19, but so far there is no guarantee that it will be made available or affordable around the world. Key points: NGOs want mandatory measures that would enable countries to make vaccines at a low cost NGOs want mandatory measures that would enable countries to make vaccines at a low …

Allies despair as Trump abandons America’s leadership role at a time of global crisis
4 years, 8 months ago

Allies despair as Trump abandons America’s leadership role at a time of global crisis

CNN  

CNN — The United States has scaled back its role on the world stage, taken actions that are undermining efforts to battle the coronavirus pandemic and left the international community without a traditional global leader, according to experts, diplomats and analysts. And while she notes the G7 and G20 have held virtual meetings, “I would very much like to see …

US blocks UN resolution on coronavirus ceasefire after China pushes WHO mention
4 years, 8 months ago

US blocks UN resolution on coronavirus ceasefire after China pushes WHO mention

CNN  

CNN — The United States blocked agreement Friday on a UN Security Council resolution that called for a global ceasefire aimed at collectively addressing the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the globe, after China pushed for the resolution to mention the World Health Organization. The US rejected any reference to the WHO in the text of the resolution, and also turned down …

Nations back UN plan to speed wide rollout of COVID response
4 years, 8 months ago

Nations back UN plan to speed wide rollout of COVID response

Associated Press  

GENEVA — World leaders rallied around the United Nations on Friday for an initiative to help the most vulnerable countries gain access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment tools for the coronavirus as soon as they emerge. “This is a landmark collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for COVID-19,” said WHO Director-General Tedros …

Coronavirus pandemic: Hope US reconsiders fund freeze, says WHO chief
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus pandemic: Hope US reconsiders fund freeze, says WHO chief

India Today  

The head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that he hoped the Trump administration would reconsider its suspension of funding, but that his main focus was on ending the pandemic and saving lives. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told a Geneva news conference: "I hope the freezing of the funding will be reconsidered and the US will once …

Americans at WHO warned Trump about spread of coronavirus last year
4 years, 8 months ago

Americans at WHO warned Trump about spread of coronavirus last year

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. China “stalled for weeks” in allowing WHO experts …

Trump implies WHO deliberately mishandled coronavirus pandemic
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump implies WHO deliberately mishandled coronavirus pandemic

Al Jazeera  

US president’s remarks come after he halted about $500m in funding for the World Health Organization despite crisis. US President Donald Trump has escalated his attack on the World Health Organization, saying its early guidance on the coronavirus outbreak was a “horrible” mistake – and perhaps even a deliberate one. So what we focus on is to save lives.” China’s …

World reacts to Trump withdrawing WHO funding
4 years, 8 months ago

World reacts to Trump withdrawing WHO funding

Al Jazeera  

Critics call US president’s move ‘a dangerous step in the wrong direction’ after he cuts 15 percent of UN agency budget. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell Borrell said the 27-nation bloc “deeply” regrets the suspension of funds and added that the U.N. health agency is now “needed more than ever” to combat the pandemic. This move will undoubtedly make …

WHO chief defends handling of coronavirus pandemic against Trump criticism
4 years, 9 months ago

WHO chief defends handling of coronavirus pandemic against Trump criticism

The Hindu  

The head of the World Health Organization gave a strident defence of his agency's handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism and suggestions that Washington could review its funding for the agency. Data | United States bears the global brunt of new coronavirus cases Mr. Trump told the daily White House briefing …

Coronavirus | UNGA adopts resolution, calls for global cooperation to fight pandemic
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | UNGA adopts resolution, calls for global cooperation to fight pandemic

The Hindu  

The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted its first resolution on the coronavirus pandemic co- The resolution titled ‘Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 ’ was the first such document on the pandemic to be adopted by the world body. Recognising that the COVID-19 pandemic requires a global response based on unity, solidarity and renewed multilateral cooperation, the …

COVID-19 pandemic is testing world leaders. Who’s stepping up?
4 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 pandemic is testing world leaders. Who’s stepping up?

Al Jazeera  

Whether millions live or die depends on the decisions the world’s leaders take in the coming days and weeks. “It’s been disappointing in many countries – too many,” said John M Barry, a historian who studied the Spanish flu pandemic that killed as many as 100 million people in 1918. “In some countries, it’s been outright reprehensible – some leaders’ …

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