- G7 health ministers agree to pandemic pact to help protect
the world against another pandemic
- Commitments also made on tackling antimicrobial resistance –
a global killer costing millions of lives a year
- Focus on climate and health will see G7 countries lead the
way in reducing greenhouse gases and improving health and
wellbeing
A landmark pact signed by G7 health ministers in Berlin will help
ensure the world is better prepared for future pandemics.
The G7 Pact for Pandemic Readiness will see the UK, USA, Japan,
Canada, France, Germany, and Italy work more closely together –
and with relevant multilateral organisations like the World
Health Organisation – by sharing the best of their Covid inspired
initiatives, including those on surveillance and rapid response.
Commitments were also made by health ministers to tackle the
silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance AMR - infections
caused by bacteria resistant to antibiotics - including exploring
a range of market incentive options which will encourage
pharmaceutical companies and others to fund research and trials
for new antibiotics.
Pledges on climate and health were also made with G7 members
committing to build climate-neutral health systems by 2050 at the
latest, and to support countries across the globe in this effort.
Speaking from Berlin, UK Health and Social Care Secretary
said:
“This meeting was a crucial moment for G7 member countries as we
learn the lessons of Covid and how to live with the virus.
“I am committed to ensuring we are all better prepared against
future health threats including another pandemic and
antimicrobial resistance, which is why it was so important we
united today to protect the world’s health.
“The UK’s leading the way with our living with Covid approach,
and it was great to exchange ideas with my G7 counterparts on how
we all move out of the pandemic.”
The Pandemic Pact aims to help embed a One Health approach, which
considers the connection between people, animals, plants, and the
environment, to help identity emerging health threats across
these groups, and improve detection of new variants of concern.
This will help strengthen global health security and better
protect everyone from another pandemic
AMR is estimated to cause 1.27million deaths a year worldwide –
around 1 in 5 deaths are amongst children under 5 - making it a
leading cause of death globally.
The G7 health ministers meeting took place in Berlin from Thurs
19 May – Friday 20 May and concluded with the signing of the G7
Health Ministers’ Declaration.
The Declaration has sections on: the G7 Pact for Pandemic
Readiness; overcoming the pandemic in 2022; tackling the silent
pandemic of AMR; and climate neutral health systems.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Link to G7 website which will hold the declaration:
G7 Germany 2022: Germany takes
over G7 Presidency
