PS Mary Muthoni meets European Union Ambassador Henriette Geiger to review Kenya's progress in drafting of the "Pandemic Treaty"
PS Mary Muthoni meets European Union Ambassador Henriette Geiger to review Kenya's progress in drafting of the "Pandemic Treaty"
PS Mary Muthoni meets European Union Ambassador Henriette Geiger to review Kenya's progress in drafting of the "Pandemic Treaty"
PS Mary Muthoni meets European Union Ambassador Henriette Geiger to review Kenya's progress in drafting of the "Pandemic Treaty"

PS Mary Muthoni meets European Union Ambassador Henriette Geiger to review Kenya's progress in drafting of the "Pandemic Treaty"

MoH News / Fri, 06/16/2023 - 13:33

Nairobi June 15,2023 The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant gaps in global pandemic preparedness and response mechanisms. In response, a special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) has recently resolved to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) tasked with drafting an International Instrument on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response, known as "The Pandemic Treaty."

Kenya has taken an active role in the development of this crucial treaty and is represented in the INB by an Interministerial Negotiating Committee, coordinated by the Ministry of Health. Today, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni Muriuki, represented the Cabinet Secretary in a meeting with a delegation from the European Union (EU) led by  Ambassador Henriette Geiger to review Kenya's progress in the treaty's development.

During the meeting, the Principal Secretary briefed the EU delegation on Kenya's key priority areas within the INB process. These areas include equitable access to essential commodities, the rapid and reliable sharing of data, diversified manufacturing to enhance commodity security, among others. Both parties explored potential avenues for collaboration in the field of health, such as training, research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the digitization of health services.

Reaffirming Kenya's commitment to strengthening the multilateral system for pandemic preparedness and response, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki emphasized the importance of collaboration between Kenya and the European Union. She stated, "The EU is a major partner of the Government of Kenya in global health, and we are eager to foster stronger collaboration in areas of mutual interest, extending beyond public health."

As Kenya actively contributes to shaping the International Pandemic Treaty, the nation underscores its dedication to international cooperation and collective efforts in ensuring global health security.