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The World Health Organization decided to go to a truncated annual meeting on May 18 with a limited agenda amid efforts by countries like Australia to push forward an international investigation into the coronavirus pandemic.
In a communication sent to Member States, the WHO said that it would not be appropriate to address the almost 60 items that had been included in the provisional agenda less than 20 days ago.
This is being done to provide a crucial international focus on Covid-19 that has killed nearly 180,000 people worldwide in a matter of months, he said.
Instead, the WHO document proposes that the 73rd World Health Assembly consider a shortened agenda. This would include the opening of the health assembly, a speech by Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that would focus on the preparation and response of Covid-19, and the formal election of the 10 vacant executive board seats.
Hindustan Times has accessed the document.
The session would begin on May 18 and end the following day. A more complete version of the assembly would be held later.
The only elements to be addressed would be those described as “uncontroversial elements”, such as resolutions and decisions recommended by consensus by the WHO executive board. They would be considered as approved by the health assembly if no country objects to them.
During the virtual session, member countries will have 2 minutes each to express their point. Regional and group statements have been limited to 4 minutes, but all can submit written submissions that would be uploaded to the WHO website.
The information about the WHO that opted for the shortened version came days after United States President Donald Trump criticized the global health body for what it described as its flawed recommendations on the Covid-19 outbreak in China. . The United States believes that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, led by the WHO, sided with China to minimize the disease that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. It is an accusation that Tedros Adhanom, Ethiopia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Health, has denied.
But the WHO chief has been unable to convince many of his critics.
On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared that his country would launch an international investigation into the pandemic at the WHO decision-making body meeting.
“The World Health Assembly is coming up in May. There are opportunities to address that issue there and that is our first port of call, “Morrison said, according to Reuters news agency.
Australia sits on the executive board of the assembly, which determines WHO’s policies. Next month, it will be India’s turn. In addition, New Delhi will also obtain the position of chairman of the executive board.
Morrison had already called leaders in France, Germany, and the United States to lobby for support and could call Britain and Canada below,
Australia has overcome the worst of its coronavirus outbreak, which is why it has moved to pressure other countries to support its call for an investigation, but understood that other nations were still dealing with high death rates, the government said, citing to anonymous. sources.
