- The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has called on the European Union (EU) to support equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics in the ongoing negotiations for a World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic agreement.
In a statement, AHF stressed the importance of ensuring that low- and middle-income countries are not sidelined in future global health emergencies, as was widely criticised during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation argued that access to life-saving tools should be based on need rather than wealth or geopolitical influence.
AHF urged the EU to take a leadership role by backing provisions that promote fair distribution, technology sharing, and local manufacturing capacity across developing regions, particularly in Africa.
According to the group, failure to guarantee equitable access could repeat past mistakes where richer nations secured the majority of vaccines and treatments, leaving vulnerable populations exposed.
The proposed WHO pandemic agreement aims to strengthen global preparedness and response mechanisms, ensuring that countries can better coordinate efforts during future outbreaks.
Health advocates say the EU’s stance will be critical in shaping whether the final agreement prioritises global equity or maintains existing disparities in access to essential medical resources.
AHF concluded by emphasizing that a truly effective pandemic treaty must be built on solidarity, fairness, and shared responsibility among nations.
