News item | 20-05-2025 | 17:08
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the text of a pandemia agreement.
The Netherlands, together with ten other countries, visibly abstained itself in a vote on this, in accordance with the wishes of the House of Representatives. Nevertheless, the text was adopted, since 124 countries did vote for. Zero countries have voted against.
With this vote, no binding pandemia agreement has yet been created.
The Member States of the WHO will work on an appendix to the Treaty for the next 12-24 months. Only then will the WHO present this Convention to the countries for signing.
But then also the Netherlands is not yet bound by the treaty. That is only the case if the parliament wishes and the government authorizes to join the treaty.
Minister Fleur Agema has always said that the parliament must have the final say and, if there is a definitive treaty text (including appendices) available, submit it to Parliament in an explicit approval procedure. The minister acts in line with what has previously been agreed with the House of Representatives.
As long as the parliament does not give an explicit approval, the Netherlands will not be bound by this pandemia agreement and there are no obligations for the Kingdom.