Operationalizing “One Health” through a Pandemic Treaty

The World Health Assembly has recently started a negotiation process for a convention or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. In support of this initiative, the International Centre for Comparative Environmental Law (CIDCE) has developed a draft convention on pandemics. Conceptually underpinned by the “One Health” approach, the CIDCE proposed text is aimed to serve as a tool for reference and inspiration for all actors involved in the diplomatic process leading to the conclusion, hopefully promptly, of a convention on pandemics. A bold call for a rapid conclusion of the pandemic treaty should clearly feature in the outcome documents of UNEP@50 and Stockholm+50, so as to promote progress in health law and environmental law globally, in harmony with nature, through a specific convention to combat pandemics.

Article by Michel Prieur