Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Paragraph: 16
Without a full and transparent investigation into the origins of covid-19, we are at greater...
Recommendation
Without a full and transparent investigation into the origins of covid-19, we are at greater risk of a disastrous new outbreak. By impeding efforts to trace the origins of the virus, Beijing is endangering its own population along with the rest of the world. Even with a full investigation, the limited access to data and to key sites in China in the early days of the pandemic makes any investigation more difficult—this must be addressed for any future outbreaks. The Government should work with other countries to increase the WHO’s powers to independently access countries where an outbreak has been reported, mirroring the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—including through reform of the International Health Regulations, if necessary. The Government should build a partnership of nations to investigate the virus’ origins and should make clear what measures it will take to support countries that are facing intimidation from Beijing over their backing for an independent investigation.
Paragraph Reference:
16
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We have been clear that a transparent, independent and science-led investigation into the origins of COVID-19 must be an important part of the international effort to understand how the pandemic started and how it spread. We are working with partners to support a timely, transparent, evidence-based and expert-led next phase, including, as recommended by the experts’ report, studies in China. In the Carbis Bay Declaration, G7 leaders strongly underscored the need to establish an expert-driven, transparent, and independent process, to expeditiously investigate outbreaks of unknown origin. With regard to the IAEA investigative processes, the global system needs to consider any alternative models but any investigation or scientific study into the origin of a novel pathogen requires the cooperation of the Member State concerned. We welcome that WHO’s new permanent International Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) will support the creation of a global framework to guide studies into the origins of future emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential. This is an important step to provide clarity on how investigations should be conducted, create shared expectations, and expedite timeframes in future. Strengthening future outbreak investigations will likely include a combination of this global framework and targeted amendments to strengthen implementation and compliance with the International Health Regulations. This may form part of a new international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response, to better galvanise political commitment.