New York: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday urged countries to ensure fair access to vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tools during future health emergencies while addressing a High Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
Dar said Pakistan responded to the COVID 19 pandemic through coordinated action involving government institutions and society. Measures included targeted lockdowns, testing, contact tracing, financial assistance for vulnerable families and cooperation among different sectors.
Targeted lockdowns, commonly called smart lockdowns, restrict movement in areas where infections are concentrated instead of closing an entire city or country.
Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s adoption of the One Health approach. This model recognises that human health is connected with the health of animals, plants and the environment. It is particularly important because many infectious diseases can pass from animals to humans.
Welcoming the WHO Pandemic Agreement, Dar called for predictable funding and greater scientific, technological and manufacturing capacity in developing countries.
Technology transfer means sharing the knowledge, processes and technical skills required to produce vaccines, medicines and diagnostic equipment locally.
The World Health Assembly adopted the agreement in May 2025 after the COVID 19 crisis exposed major differences in countries’ access to vaccines and essential medical supplies. It establishes a framework for better coordination, financing and equitable access during future pandemics.
Work is continuing on its Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system. This would establish rules for sharing virus samples and genetic information while ensuring that countries providing such data receive fair access to vaccines, treatments and other resulting benefits.
The complete agreement will open for signature after this section is finalised and will enter into force after ratification by 60 countries.
Dar also stressed timely sharing of health data and a strong international response led by the WHO. Pakistan’s position places vaccine equality and local production at the centre of preparations for the next global health emergency.
