Kenyan MPs involved in the impeachment proceedings against Rigathi Gachagua missed an important meeting aimed at addressing vaccine inequity during pandemics.
On Wednesday, parliamentarians from around the globe convened at a summit in Berlin to endorse a statement supporting the World Health Organization’s Pandemic Agreement, which is still under negotiation.
The treaty was initially proposed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and 24 other world leaders in March 2021, in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The statement signed last week by UNITE—an alliance of parliamentarians and leaders in the global health sector—demonstrates a significant commitment from legislators to enhance pandemic preparedness, response, and equitable access to health services.
“Parliamentarians are the voice of the people and have a vital role in protecting public health,” stated Ricardo Baptista Leite, President of UNITE.
“The WHO Pandemic Agreement offers a historic opportunity to avert future pandemics and bolster our global readiness and response capabilities. By signing this statement, we are not only endorsing the agreement but also committing to uphold its principles of equity, solidarity, and global cooperation in every nation.”
This year’s Unite Global Summit, held in partnership with the World Health Summit, brought together parliamentarians, civil society leaders, and health experts for high-level discussions.
The summit aimed to turn conversations into actionable policies, focusing on four key areas: human rights and equitable health access; global health architecture and security; strengthening healthcare systems; and sustainable health financing.
The signing of the Global Parliamentary Statement in Support of the Pandemic Agreement was a key highlight of the summit, underscoring the crucial role of parliamentarians in promoting global health security and protecting populations against future pandemics.
