Commissioned to support WHO AFRO and the AU, we provided technical guidance to ensure African perspectives were represented in the Pandemic Treaty negotiations.
The Challenge
The negotiation of the WHO Pandemic Treaty was a historic opportunity to secure Africa’s health sovereignty. Yet, African negotiators often lacked the specialized legal and policy expertise to influence the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) effectively. The University of Witwatersrand, tasked with supporting WHO AFRO and the African Union, needed a partner to deliver real-time technical backing and negotiation guidance.
Our Approach
We provided comprehensive advisory support tailored to the needs of the Africa Group of Negotiators, including:
- Detailed legal and policy analysis of draft treaty provisions and their implications for African priorities.
- Redlined drafts and annotated negotiation texts, offering line-by-line strategy guidance.
- In-person and virtual briefings to equip negotiators with clear, evidence-based arguments.
- Negotiation guidance papers for Ambassadors and senior representatives to use in Geneva.
- Resource mobilization support to ensure continuous access to specialized legal expertise.
The Outcome
Armed with stronger technical and legal backing, the Africa Group was able to negotiate from a position of confidence and clarity. The treaty text reflects African priorities more robustly, protecting equity principles and preserving policy space for national decision-making. This support not only improved coordination among negotiators but also enhanced Africa’s credibility as a collective force in multilateral governance.
