Explanation: The Covid-19 of the resolution at the World Health Assembly

In the virtual 73 World Health Assembly (WHA) during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19, 2020. (Christopher Black/WHO/Handout via Reuters)

The 73rd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) took place practically from the 18th and 19th of May. During the meeting, countries such as India, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, united kingdom and Canada agreed to a resolution calling for an “impartial, independent and thorough evaluation” of the World Health Organization (WHO), the response to the pandemic, as well as the identification of the “zoonotic” origin of the coronavirus.

The origin of the virus, it is currently believed wet market in Wuhan, China. According to a Reuters report, 116 of the 194 member states were in favour of the resolution.

What is the World Health Assembly (WHA)?

The ASSEMBLY is the decision making body of the WHO and of the Assembly, which is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, is staffed by the member states. During the Assembly, the WHO’s 194 member states will discuss health programs established by the Executive body of the Board of directors, set new goals and assign tasks to meet these objectives.

Due to Covid-19 of the Assembly was held virtually this year, and has been fit into one of two calendar days from the three weeks of programming.

Also read | Harsh Vardhan set to be the WHO Executive Board president: Report

Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne Monday celebrated the world support a full investigation of the Covid-19 of the response.

The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, for her part, said that “no country can solve this problem alone”, and supported the WHO’s efforts to combat the outbreak. Merkel added that countries should “work to improve the procedures” and THAT should ensure its funding is sustainable.

Apart from this, the Assembly also addressed the global plan of action of vaccines with the “Immunization of the Agenda to 2030” that aims to ensure immunization for all age groups to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, and maintain the supplies of vaccine.

What is the world health ASSEMBLY draft resolution?

On Tuesday, the resolution submitted by the European Union (EU) and backed by Australia on behalf of more than 100 countries, including India, Australia, and Japan, was approved in the Assembly.

While not mentioning China, the project says that the Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus should continue “to work closely with the World Organisation for Animal health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the countries, as part of A Health Approach to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population, including the possible role of intermediate hosts, including through efforts such as the scientific and the collaboration of the field missions, which will allow targeted interventions and a research agenda to reduce the risk of similar events, as well as to provide guidance on how to prevent infection by SARS-COV2 infection in animals and humans and prevent the establishment of new zoonotic reservoirs, as well as to further reduce the risks of emergence and transmission of zoonotic diseases.”

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In addition, the resolution states, “to Initiate, at the earliest appropriate time, and in consultation with the Member States, (1) a step-by-step process of impartial, independent and thorough evaluation, including the use of existing mechanisms, (2), as appropriate, to examine the experience gained and lessons learned from the WHO-coordinated international health response to COVID-19.”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) assists the virtual 73 World Health Assembly (WHA) following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Geneva, Switzerland, May 18, 2020. (Christopher Black/WHO/Handout via Reuters)

Why is the resolution important?

Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in the pressure on China, which until now has opposed suggestions for research on the origins of the virus. Meanwhile, the united states has repeatedly blamed the WHO and the claims of the organization was not able to get the timely information and share it in a transparent way. The US has said that the pandemic had “spun out of control” in large part due to a costly “failure” by the WHO.

On Tuesday, the us President, Donald Trump threatened permanently to reduce the funding of the WHO. Last month, the Triumph might put an end to the funding of the organization after he said that he had “lost the call” about the pandemic. Trump said at the time that the body of the response was “China-centric”, and suggested that those who had gone along with Beijing’s efforts to represent the severity of the outbreak. Currently, the united states is the largest taxpayer and makes it more of 14.67% of the total funding, at $553.1 million.

On Monday night Trump posted on Twitter a letter that had been addressed to Ghebreyesus. In the letter, Trump accused the IT of being “curiously” insistent in praising China and its “alleged transparency”.

This is the letter sent to Dr. Tedros the World Health Organization. It is self-explanatory! pic.twitter.com/pF2kzPUpDv

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2020

“Even now, China continues to undermine the International health Regulations by refusing to share accurate and timely data, samples and viral isolates…” Trump wrote.

So, what does this mean for China?

While the resolution has been passed at the world health ASSEMBLY, it remains to be seen how the probe will be carried out and to what a degree of independence. Significantly, the time line of the probe is also not clear. Up to now, China has opposed demands calling for an international investigation about the virus.

On Monday, Chinese premier Xi Jinping announced a $2 million donation from the United Nations, which is more than two times the amount the US contributed before Trump cut the funding. It also offered to set up the hospitals and the health infrastructure in Africa.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the world health ASSEMBLY, Xi said that China “supports” the idea of a comprehensive review of the global response to Covid-19 after it was put under control.

The Triumph of the administration sees the announcement of China as a way to escape scrutiny over his alleged role in the delay of providing information about the outbreak of the disease.

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