Malaysia calls for equal footing in WHO pandemic pact
Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan says stronger pandemic preparedness would remain incomplete without equity.
Malaysia has urged for equal footing in global pandemic preparedness measures, calling for pathogen sharing and benefit-sharing to be treated equally under a new framework. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan welcomed the World Health Organization's Pandemic Agreement but emphasized the need for a "robust and equitable" Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing Annex.
He stressed that true pandemic preparedness requires equity, adequate financing, and capacity-building for research, development, and production of essential health products. The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted in May 2025, but negotiations on the PABS annex continue. Malaysia is enhancing its own pandemic readiness through its National Action Plan for Health Security 2025–2030 and a "One Health" approach to managing health threats in various sectors.
Financing for international pandemic preparedness should be adequate, predictable, and responsive to public health risks and country needs, complementing domestic investment and strengthening national capacities.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Malaysia calls for equal footing in WHO pandemic pact freemalaysiatoday.com
