World Health Assembly Session - COVID-19

Why in news?

The 73rd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) took place virtually from May 18-19, 2020.

What is the WHA?

The WHA is the decision making body of the WHO.
The Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland and attended by member states of WHO.
During the Assembly, the WHO’s 194 member states discuss health agendas set by the body’s Executive Board.
They also set new goals and assign tasks to fulfil these goals.
Due to Covid-19, the Assembly was held virtually this year, and has been fit into a two-day schedule from a three-week schedule.

What was the resolution at the meet?

A resolution was brought forward by the European Union (EU) and was endorsed at the Assembly.
During the session, countries including India, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, UK and Canada accepted the resolution.
Reportedly, 116 of the 194 member states were in favour of the resolution.
It asked for an “impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation” of the WHO's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resolution also called for identification of the “zoonotic” source of the coronavirus.
The origin of the virus is currently believed to be a wet market in Wuhan, China.
Apart from this, the Assembly also addressed a global vaccine action plan with the “Immunisation Agenda 2030”.
This aims to ensure immunisation for all age groups to prevent the spread of preventable diseases and sustaining vaccine supplies.

What does the resolution demand?

The resolution does not mention China.
It, however, says the Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus should continue to work closely with the -

This is as part of the One-Health Approach to 'identify the zoonotic source of the virus'.
Also, the route of introduction to the human population, including the possible role of intermediate hosts
The call includes efforts such as scientific and collaborative field missions.
This will enable targeted interventions and a research agenda to reduce the risk of similar events.
It will also help provide guidance on how to prevent SARS-COV2 infection in animals and humans and prevent the establishment of new zoonotic reservoirs.

Why is the resolution important?

Since the pandemic, there has been an increasing pressure on China.
China has so far opposed suggestions for inquiry into the origins of the virus.
Meanwhile, the US has repeatedly blamed the WHO.
It claims that the WHO had failed to obtain timely information and share it in a transparent fashion.
The US President Donald Trump said that WHO's response was “China-centric”.
In this backdrop, he threatened to permanently cut funding to the WHO.
At present, the US is the WHO’s biggest contributor and makes up over 14.67% of the total funding, at $553.1 million.
Given all these, the resolution gains importance.

What does this mean for China?

While the resolution has been endorsed, it remains to be seen how the probe will be carried out and to what degree of independence.
Significantly, the timeline of the probe is also not clear.
So far, China has opposed demands calling for an international investigation into the virus.
Recently, China’s premier Xi Jinping announced a $2 billion donation to the United Nations.
This is over twice the amount the US contributed before Trump cut off funding.
It also offered to set up hospitals and health infrastructure in Africa.
At the WHA, Xi said China “supports” the idea of a comprehensive review of the global response towards Covid-19 after it was brought under control.
The Trump administration however sees China’s announcement as a way to escape scrutiny.

Source: Indian Express