Intervention by India on 8.4 Evaluation and review of the global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property at the 140th Session of Executive Board of the WHO delivered by Shri. Amal Pusp, Director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 27 January 2017

Permanent Mission of India 

Geneva 

Intervention by India on 8.4 Evaluation and review of the global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property at the 140th Session of Executive Board of the WHO delivered by Shri. Amal Pusp, Director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 27 January 2017 

 

Thank you Mr. Chairman for giving me the Floor. 

The delegation of India has gone through the report and would like to make the following observations based on our analysis of the report. 

A major finding of the evaluation report is the widespread lack of awareness of the GSPOA and lack of monitoring and reporting systems which were required under Element 8. We believe that the Secretariat needs to respond through a stronger promotion of the GSPOA. 

We would like to draw the attention of the Board to the resolution WHA56.27 (2003) which requested the DG inter alia to monitor and analyse trade agreements. However, we find no mention in the Evaluation Report of the barriers to the full use of TRIPS flexibilities in many bilateral and regional trade and investment agreements. 

Regarding the Programme Review, we would urge the Board to include in the terms of reference for the programme review a request to review the UN SG HLP report on Access to Medicines and advise how GSPOA can carry these recommendations forward. We would also urge the Board to include in the terms of reference for the programme review a consideration of the elements of 2003 resolution WHA56.27 (which requested the DG inter alia to monitor and analyse trade agreements).    

Mr. Chair, 

India is committed to the process of programme review of the GSPOA and would like to be actively associated with the process. However, we would suggest that the terms of reference be approved with focus on effective implementation and not on reopening of elements of GSPOA. As such, we are not in agreement with the first ToR, i.e. to assess the continued relevance of the aim and objectives of the global strategy and plan of action. 

With these comments, we are prepared to work with WHO and Member States to reach by consensus a revised ToR for the programme review of GSPOA. 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 
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