Buried at the foot of a Daily Mail report of increasing protests about restrictions on people’s lives to ‘protect us' against a variant of a coronavirus whose effects continue to be a mystery to ‘the authorities’, is a quote from a tweet by Health Secretary Sajid Javid. Apparently he 'met' with the World Health Organisation's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, describing it as 'productive'.

“He tweeted: 'Productive meeting with @DrTedros and his team to share our findings so far on Omicron.

'We continue to work with @WHO on our global treaty to prepare for and respond to future pandemics, and on building a global surveillance network.'” https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10274825/Anti-lockdown-protestors-hit-streets-York-Austria-Netherlands.html

This ‘global treaty’ has not so far been widely reported, but it is clearly in preparation: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/coronavirus/pandemic-treaty/; https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj.n2784

The World Health Organisation appears to be the key player in this development:

“According to the article, the treaty “would be rooted in the constitution of the World Health Organization, drawing in other relevant organizations key to this endeavour, in support of the principle of health for all. Existing global health instruments, especially the International Health Regulations, would underpin such a treaty, ensuring a firm and tested foundation on which we can build and improve.” https://www.who.int/news/item/30-03-2021-global-leaders-unite-in-urgent-call-for-international-pandemic-treaty

WHO Constitution

The WHO constitution includes the perhaps encouraging statement: 'Informed opinion and active co-operation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people.' https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution

Nonetheless, given that the UK, for example, continues to ignore a comprehensive government endorsed pandemic plan published in 2011, are there grounds for cynicism, or even alarm? https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/213717/dh_131040.pdf

On the one hand it makes sense to plan for a coordinated human response to a global outbreak of disease, on the other such a Treaty would potentially legitimise massive government control of humanity. And if the experience of the last 2 years is any guide, this would be without explicit, democratic consent.

Is this an opportunity to improve democracy, or something else? Can this potential Treaty be established on a democractic footing?