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Name : Gauraangna Verma , Amara Onika

Press agency: Africa News

Council: World Health Organisation

Topic: Africa News’ opinion about the verdict of the council

Africa News Opinion

The outcome of the latest sessions of the WHO Council is a step in the positive direction towards carefully embracing

readiness for global health, yet Africa cannot fall behind on agenda items that are its own. While the five-point approach

focuses on inclusion, it is equity in action—vaccine distribution, investment in education, et al.

—that is at stake. The call to

deploy trained personnel from signatory nations, other than the United States of America, risks compromising African health

systems unless supported by robust capacity and retention programs. The call to establish mobile hospitals,

community-conducted information campaigns, and an integrated medical education council is are commendable effort.

Africa News advocates for ongoing transparency, respect for sovereignty, and fair representation in all areas of decision making to ensure that African voices lead, and do not just get, global health policy.

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Name : Gauraangna Verma , Amara Onika

Press agency: Africa News

Council: World Health Organisation

Topic: Africa News feature regarding the WHO council

Africa News Feature

WHO's Global Health Plan: Hopeful Blueprint or Familiar Rhetoric for Africa?

By Africa News Editorial Staff

17 May | Amara Onika

The World Health Organisation's five-point plan on global preparedness, published for the first time last week, has filled the

entire African continent with hopeful optimism, as delegates from the remotest corners of the earth committed to cooperation

to pandemic resilience-building in solidarity and collaboration. As much as one must promote the rhetoric of fairness and

shared responsibility, Africa News argues that one must read between the lines closely and make tough-headed judgments

on whether these vows will be true for African nations.

Central to the WHO blueprint is the promise of mobile hospitals, intensified early warning, and intensified focus on

healthcare training and personnel. These are objectives that resonate particularly in Africa, where underfunded health

systems and weakened infrastructure were brutally laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. The projected expansion of

centralized care hubs, particularly in resource-poor environments, promises redemption—if accomplished through

paternalistic rather than partnership-oriented approach.

Its emphasis on education in the community, through appropriately local messaging by local leaders in communities, is a

heartening signal. Previously, global health interventions have not worked in Africa because they have attempted to

communicate at the incorrect level, imposing outside knowledge and not considering the environmental context. The new

strategy recognises indigenous knowledge systems and social solidarity as central to building trust and countering

disinformation.

But there is uncertainty. Of particular concern is the exporting by signatory states, but not the United States, of highly

educated manpower—a move that, in ignorance, would load African health systems. The majority of African nations already

experience brain drain and manpower deficiencies; to export skilled personnel for the sake of international solidarity could

lead to internal exposure unless supplemented by equivalent investment in training and retention.

Encouragingly, investment in tertiary medical training along the lines of an International Council for Tertiary Medical

Education holds out the promise of early successes in long-term capacity development. But if for Africa, there needs to be a

common voice in the building of the council's architecture to ensure that curricula are set in response to Africa's particular

health demands, and not attempt one-size-fits-all from the West.

The financing mechanism for the plan, concentrating on the World Bank and advocating equitable, trade-backed

contribution, providing a consistent financing solution. African economies, themselves frequently debt-burdened and

operating international trade deficits, will have to be insulated from uneven pressure. Guarantees need to be put in place to

protect against richer nations assuming control of decision-making in the name of financial contribution.

Most hopeful is the recognition of Africa's ability to contribute to regional pharmaceutical manufacturing and AI-driven early

warning. Joining global value chains of African nations as producers and innovators, not merely as recipients, is the attitude

change required. That participation can make African nations designers, not merely recipients, of global health solutions.

With all international declarations, the proof is in the pudding. For Africa, it is not the initial similar promises made at Geneva,

New York, or Brussels. The question here is whether, this time around, global action would be informed not by beneficence,

but by equity, where African leadership, experience, and expertise are not just invited, but demanded as part of global health

security.

Africa News will keep following the implementation of this plan and push for African interests to stay in the limelight of the international health agenda.

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WHO: Ready for the Next Outbreak

By: Scott Chin

新华通讯社 | Xinhua News Agency

World Health Organisation Council | 17 May

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has taken a crucial step forward in reinforcing global health security, as member states concluded productive sessions on 16–17 May focused on strengthening preparedness protocols for pandemics and epidemics. Through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding, nations reached a common ground on a five-point strategy to improve international response mechanisms and safeguard public health.

This development reflects the collective commitment of the global community to uphold the principles of solidarity, equity, and shared responsibility in facing future health emergencies.

The Five-Point Plan

The delegates proposed a unified five-point solution, marking a comprehensive and inclusive approach:

Development of Medical Infrastructure – Construction of mobile hospitals and centralised care facilities will be prioritized, especially in regions with limited resources, ensuring timely vaccine distribution and care.

Advanced Early Detection Systems – Supported by funding from the United States, these systems aim to build global capacity to monitor and contain health threats in real-time.

Community Education to Combat Misinformation – Public health knowledge will be disseminated through culturally sensitive channels, with deep respect for national traditions and social structures.

Deployment of Skilled Manpower – Signatory states (excluding the U.S.) will provide vital human resources to bolster international efforts during emergencies.

Investment in Higher Education – Funding and upskilling initiatives will expand the pool of trained healthcare workers, particularly in developing regions.

This framework embodies a cooperative spirit that prioritizes mutual benefit and regional balance.

Addressing the press’s concerns

During a press conference following the sessions, delegates responded to several important inquiries raised by journalists. The topic of financial sustainability was addressed with a robust plan: the World Bank will serve as the primary financier, complemented by equitable trade agreements to distribute costs fairly among nations.

In terms of educating local populations, the WHO will partner with respected local figures—such as religious and community leaders—to share health information in a manner that is appropriate and effective within each cultural context. This strategy demonstrates a deep respect for national sovereignty and social cohesion.

Responding to concerns about human resources, particularly from underdeveloped nations, delegates reaffirmed that investment in education and capacity building will empower all countries to contribute meaningfully to global efforts without compromising domestic healthcare systems.

To ensure standardized healthcare education, an International Council for Tertiary Medical Education has been proposed. This body will harmonize curricula and uphold global standards, while remaining sensitive to national educational frameworks.

Key Points From The Draft Resolution

The draft resolution reflects broad consensus on implementing long-term, sustainable systems:

ICDRD (International Committee of Drug Reserves and Distribution) will manage global vaccine reserves and promote fair distribution through a transparent, quota-based system. Contributions will reflect each country's development status, and a trade-based model will enable more inclusive participation from economically constrained nations.

Global Surveillance and Early Detection System will use cutting-edge AI and shared data to enhance transparency and accountability, while also assisting developing countries in building regional pharmaceutical production chains.

Education and Public Awareness Campaigns will partner with local experts and NGOs to combat misinformation and raise health literacy, especially in rural and underserved areas. Online tools and regional health hubs will broaden reach and impact.

Logistics Support and Accessibility Initiatives will include drone technology and deployment of low-skilled labor to ensure rapid, far-reaching supply chains, enabling faster responses in future crises.

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THE WHO DISCUSSION AS FAR

Name: Scott Chin

Press agency: Xinhua News Agency

Council: WHO

Topic: WHO thus far

The WHO discusses the topic of preparedness protocols for pandemics and epidemics.

So far, some preparedness protocols have been established by the countries, but need further refinement.

Development of Infrastructure for vaccine distribution and creation e.g. (mobile hospitals, centralised international care facilities)

Early detection systems, funded by the United States.

Education of locals to combat misinformation

Leveraging over the United State’s control over social media networks. (Questions: abuse of access)(United States reconsidering decision)

Employment of manpower from signatory states, excluding the United States

Upskilling workers and increasing funding for tertiary education

Issues unaddressed: data sharing systems, infrastructure level of each country, especially poorer ones.

Funding by: UNICEF, WORLD BANK

In conclusion, the council is moving in a satisfactory direction, but solutions discussed need further refinement. Overall, good progress.

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WHO Session 1: Can they make vaccine equity work?

The first WHO council session has been off to a roaring start, and many delegates are agreeing on a few key points to prepare for the next pandemic.

During the opening speeches, there were several key topics that most countries coalesced around, such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and healthcare equity, pandemic preparedness, responses, and international solidarity and cooperation over healthcare crises. This allowed the council to work together by forming groups based on their common goals, which occurred during the first unmoderated caucus. There are currently two major groups observed, one led by Israel, calling for an international centralised vaccine stockpile and other measures to improve vaccine equity, and another led by Switzerland, which is deliberating over how to keep vaccine quality high while reducing costs to make them more accessible to poorer countries.

The Israeli-led bloc has more high-profile and diverse support from delegates, with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Canada, Germany, and South Africa included in these discussions. I managed to get a brief interview with the delegate of Germany, Joel, to better understand the discussions.

“We have been discussing over potential sponsors for our proposal, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and China. We have raised the issues of the need for vaccine equity, as well as raising the concerns of third-world countries becoming too reliant on such sponsorship.”

The Israeli delegate also gave some brief comments on his bloc’s plan for pandemic preparedness through vaccine equity.

“Our coalition is specifically focused on vaccine equity, and we are creating deals to set up good manufacturing hubs and supply chains to achieve this goal. Our coalition is also diverse, comprising of countries such as Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore and China, the latter who can fund and provide knowledge for this goal.”

Meanwhile, the Swiss-led bloc has more obscure targets, and although the reporters spent a fair amount of time shadowing the discussions there, there were no concrete plans focused on anything. However, one major point Switzerland brought up was the concern that if countries work together to establish price caps on vaccines to lower the price to make it more accessible to lower-income countries, the producers of such vaccines would lower the quality to cover their losses. It is a crucial point that the Swiss delegate is hoping the Israeli-led bloc will cover in the following council session.

We are expecting to see fruitful discussions in the next session, considering major superpowers are banding together to work for a more equitable healthcare system.

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Productive WHO council session; vaccination equity key issue amongst delegates

The WHO council session has been productive regarding the strategies against future pandemics and epidemics.

During the opening speeches, there were several key topics that most countries coalesced around, such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and healthcare equity, pandemic preparedness and responses, and international solidarity and cooperation over healthcare crises. This allowed the council to work together by forming groups based on their common goals, which occurred during the first unmoderated caucus. There are currently two major groups observed, one led by Israel, calling for an international centralised vaccine stockpile, and another led by Switzerland, which is deliberating over how to keep vaccine quality high while reducing costs to make them more accessible to poorer countries.

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CJMUN officially begins!

By Ethan Lim, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

CJMUN officially commenced today, with a brief welcome address from Secretaries-General Neha Johl and Yang Zhihe, who have addressed the meaning and effort behind CJMUN and expressed the hope of CJMUN continuing to be a force for perseverance and critical thinking.

The choice for the various councils has been heavily linked to topics relevant in our current world, and a view into the decision-making of the past through the Crisis Council simulating the American Civil War.

The Secretaries-General also addressed the urgency of CJMUN to make the delegates aware of current affairs and not to be in the dark about what happens in global issues

The Principal of Catholic Junior College, Mrs Woo, also gave a short address, in which she raised her appreciation of how MUN operated and the lessons she learnt that she later applied in her teaching. She emphasised that the delegates would need to champion and convince people of their causes that they would be raising over these two days, as well as to be active learners and develop their public speaking skills.

Finally, the Secretaries-General and Mrs Woo came together to hit their gavels to officially open CJMUN.

We wish all the delegates the best in the exciting MUN ahead!