International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
Encyclopedia
President George W. Bush
announced the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza in his remarks to the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly
on September 14, 2005, in New York. On September 15, 2005, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Dr. Paula Dobriansky
was joined by the Director General of the World Health Organization
Dr. Lee Jong-wook
, Executive Director of UNICEF Ann Veneman
, and senior representatives from several participating countries to describe the Partnerships goals of improving global readiness by:
is committed to protecting human and animal health as well as mitigating the global socioeconomic and security consequences of an influenza pandemic. The partnership seeks to work with all concerned states to limit the spread of H5N1
avian flu and any other highly pathogenic influenza
strain by taking all necessary steps to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the growing threat.
Partners are concerned about the potential for large-scale outbreaks. As such, participants are committed to the following principles to establish a more coordinated and effective basis for limiting the social, economic and health impacts of avian and pandemic influenza, consistent with national legal authorities and relevant international law and frameworks.
Noting that enhanced global cooperation on avian and pandemic influenza will provide a template for global cooperation to address other types of health emergencies, we join together in our commitment to:
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
announced the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza in his remarks to the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
on September 14, 2005, in New York. On September 15, 2005, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Dr. Paula Dobriansky
Paula Dobriansky
Paula Jon Dobriansky is an American foreign policy expert who has served in key roles as a diplomat and policy maker in the administrations of five U.S. presidents, both Democrat and Republican. She is a specialist in the areas of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union as well as...
was joined by the Director General of the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
Dr. Lee Jong-wook
Lee Jong-wook
-Memorial award:The South Korean government officially announced the establishment of the a Memorial Prize in Dr. Lee's memory. After his death, You Si min, the Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea, officially revealed the plans concerning the new awards and urged other nations...
, Executive Director of UNICEF Ann Veneman
Ann Veneman
Ann Margaret Veneman is the former Executive Director of UNICEF, a position she held from 2005 to 2010. Her appointment was announced on January 18, 2005 by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Previously, Veneman was the United States Secretary of Agriculture, the first and only woman to hold that...
, and senior representatives from several participating countries to describe the Partnerships goals of improving global readiness by:
- elevating the issue on national agendas;
- coordinating efforts among donor and affected nations;
- mobilizing and leveraging resources;
- increasing transparency in disease reporting and surveillance; and
- building capacity to identify, contain and respond to a pandemic influenza.
Statement of Core Principles
The International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic InfluenzaInfluenza pandemic
An influenza pandemic is an epidemic of an influenza virus that spreads on a worldwide scale and infects a large proportion of the human population. In contrast to the regular seasonal epidemics of influenza, these pandemics occur irregularly, with the 1918 Spanish flu the most serious pandemic in...
is committed to protecting human and animal health as well as mitigating the global socioeconomic and security consequences of an influenza pandemic. The partnership seeks to work with all concerned states to limit the spread of H5N1
H5N1
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as "bird flu", A or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the influenza A virus which can cause illness in humans and many other animal species...
avian flu and any other highly pathogenic influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
strain by taking all necessary steps to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the growing threat.
Partners are concerned about the potential for large-scale outbreaks. As such, participants are committed to the following principles to establish a more coordinated and effective basis for limiting the social, economic and health impacts of avian and pandemic influenza, consistent with national legal authorities and relevant international law and frameworks.
Noting that enhanced global cooperation on avian and pandemic influenza will provide a template for global cooperation to address other types of health emergencies, we join together in our commitment to:
- International cooperation to protect the lives and health of our people;
- Timely and sustained high-level global political leadership to combat avian and pandemic influenza;
- Transparency in reporting of influenza cases in humans and in animals caused by strains that have pandemic potential, to increase understanding, preparedness and, especially to ensure rapid and timely response to potential outbreaks;
- Immediate sharing of epidemiological data and samples with the World Health OrganizationWorld Health OrganizationThe World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
(WHO) and the international community to detect and characterize the nature and evolution of any outbreaks as quickly as possible, by utilizing, where appropriate, existing networks and mechanisms - Rapid reaction to address the first signs of accelerated transmission of H5N1 and other highly pathogenic influenza strains so that appropriate international and national resources can be brought to bear;
- Prevent and contain an incipient epidemic through capacity building and in-country collaboration with international partners;
- Work in a manner complementary to and supportive of expanded cooperation with and appropriate support of key multilateral organizations (WHO, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Organization for Animal Health);
- Timely coordination of bilateral and multilateral resource allocations; dedication of domestic resources (human and financial); improvements in public awareness; and development of economic and trade contingency plans;
- Increased coordination and harmonization of preparedness, prevention, response and containment activities among nations, complementing domestic and regional preparedness initiatives and encouraging where appropriate the development of strategic regional initiatives;
- Actions based on the best available science.
Sources and notes
- http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/appendixh.html
- http://geneva.usmission.gov/Press2005/1108AvianInfluenza.htm