BBC Inside Science Does the pandemic agreement make the world safer?
Jun 19, 2025
Caroline Steel, a keen science expert, joins to unveil this week's intriguing scientific highlights. Global health journalist Andrew Green sheds light on the World Health Organisation's new treaty aimed at enhancing pandemic preparedness and ensuring equitable vaccine distribution. Meanwhile, artist Ersin Arasin discusses his mesmerizing digital installation at Kew Gardens, which creatively connects humans and nature. The conversation intriguingly blends health, technology, and art, offering hope for a safer future.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
WHO pandemic treaty overview
- WHO's new treaty aims to prevent future pandemics by ensuring timely sharing of outbreak information and equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
- It addresses failures from COVID-19 like delayed reporting and inequality in resource distribution.
Unequal sharing hinders treaty progress
- The treaty still requires negotiation on how vaccine and pathogen data will be shared equitably among countries.
- Poorer countries insist on access to treatments if they share pathogen information, causing delays.
US absence weakens treaty impact
- The US is not part of the treaty, raising questions about its global effectiveness.
- The absence of a major pharmaceutical hub and superpower limits treaty impact despite multilateral support.