Month: December 2022

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H3C AD-WAN Solution Helps LiveCom’s Global SD-WAN Operation

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — According to Omdia’s report, the compound growth rate of the global SD-WAN market will reach 11.9% from 2021 to 2027, and the market size will exceed USD 10 billion by 2027, continuing to lead the enterprise network service market. In recent years, as the epidemic accelerated the digital transformation of the industry, more and more enterprises have chosen cloud, and the demand of enterprises for campus networks, data centers and wide area networks has increased rapidly. The SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) has attracted the attention of more enterprises and service providers because it helps enterprises to achieve quality cloud in a more flexible connection mode, while reducing the cost of WAN.

Although the SD-WAN has a broad market prospect, in fact, the existing SD-WAN solutions cannot fully meet the customer demands. Presently, in Chinese market, most manufacturers lack the capability to optimize end-to-end network resources, so it is difficult to provide a complete set of solutions. In the international market, the solutions of some manufacturers are realized through mergers and acquisitions, which causes problems such as high prices, difficult operation and maintenance, long development cycle, etc., which greatly affects the deployment progress of the SD-WAN.

Based on the insight into the industry pain points, H3C AD-WAN solution, with the concept of “application-driven network”, carries out innovative explorations around technical architecture, business experience, security protection and control, operation and maintenance management, business model and other fields, offers new features such as new service modes, WAN optimization, multi-cloud connection, end-to-end SRv6, SASE business automation, etc., and helps the customers build full-scenario, whole-domain and full-lifecycle intelligent WANs, which can better meet the requirements of the operators in the “post-epidemic” era for end-to-end control, operation, and maintenance for SD-WAN construction. This solution has now been applied to overseas market.

H3C and LiveCom Cooperate Closely to Explore New SD-WAN Modes

In March, 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the Action Plan for Coordinated Development of the “Double Gigabit” Network (2021-2023), proposing to adopt the SD-WAN technical solution to optimize network transmission quality. As encouraged by this policy, the three major domestic telecom carriers have invested in the research and development of SD-WAN intelligent dedicated lines, and the WAN architecture has also turned to SD-WAN in an all-round way.

LiveCom is an international carrier that has long been dedicated to cross-border communication information services. With the global business expansion of LiveCom, the number of POP nodes deployed overseas and the volume of business carried by the backbone networks increase. Therefore, the forwarding delay, site deployment, network resource optimization, business operation and maintenance management of its global network are facing greater challenges. In order to further enhance its competitiveness in the global market, LiveCom needs a powerful partner to help upgrade its SD-WAN services in an all-round way, and it is just the right time to cooperate with H3C.

After testing SD-WAN products of several manufacturers, LiveCom made a long-term cooperation decision with H3C in less than three months due to the strong advantages of H3C, such as advanced and steady products, professional technicians, and comprehensive service coverage.

In the cooperation mode in which H3C provides overall solutions and products, and LiveCom provides lines and technical support, both parties have finally provided customers with high-quality bandwidth operation services based on SD-WAN solutions. At the application level, in the headquarters and branch scenarios, H3C provides hardware  products and SD-WAN controllers for deployment, which help LiveCom to establish multiple POP points around the world and deploy branch routers for enterprises. In addition, through the northbound API interface of the SD-WAN solution provided by H3C, LiveCom can customize the display interfaces according to the actual needs of customers, and comprehensively improve the customer experience in operation and maintenance.

During the cooperation, both sides have gradually formed a benign and interactive cooperation mode through joint efforts. In the early stage, with deep experience in hardware and solutions, H3C organized pre-sales and after-sales training for LiveCom’s technicians in operation, troubleshooting, and calling northbound interfaces of the routers, so as to help them enhance their experience in operating large and medium-sized SD-WAN networks. Besides, H3C provided mature cases for LiveCom, and engineers from both sides jointly deployed the SD-WAN platform. LiveCom was responsible for giving feedbacks of new customer demands to H3C, and both parties jointly analyzed customer demands to provide improved SD-WAN functions and services and solve the problems of the customers.

Five Advantages Help LiveCom in Global SD-WAN Operation

With the joint efforts of both parties, LiveCom has launched the global SD-WAN network access service, which is based on the global SD-WAN network infrastructure built at global POP nodes of LiveCom’s high-speed backbone network, helping enterprises to quickly build high-quality cross-border communication networks to reduce WAN expenses and improve business access experience.

Based on the AD-WAN solution, H3C has formed five advantages to help LiveCom provide global SD-WAN operation services:

I. Relying on advantageous global POP networking, access to the nearest points. LiveCom’s extensive deployment of global POP points can adapt to mainstream Internet access in various regions, and users of multinational enterprises can access the nearest points. Besides, the Overlay between POP points adopts Full-mesh connection, which does not need transit traffic and reduces forwarding delay.

II. Simple deployment, quick launch of business. H3C’s AD-WAN solution has a variety of automatic start-up capabilities, allowing customer sites to be operated without professional IT personnel; the equipment replacement is convenient and plug-and-play, and all business configurations can be automatically deployed with the controller after the new equipment is launched. It also supports the rapid deployment of vCPE on mainstream public clouds of the world. The site launch time is shortened from 3-5 days to 10 minutes, which greatly improves the efficiency of network administrators.

III. Intelligent path selection to improve resource utilization. Through “Internet+MPLS” hybrid link networking, it supports bandwidth bundling and multiple links carrying the same session; working with multi-link intelligent scheduling and QoS strategy, it can ensure SLA for critical application, improve link utilization, and reduce repeated purchases by customers.

IV. Centering on customer scenarios to realize centralized control and targeted optimization of applications. Based on the DPI configuration strategy, the centralized Internet access of designated applications and local Internet access of other applications can be realized, which can optimize enterprise applications in a targeted manner and enhance user experience; The one-click escape setting ensures uninterrupted cross-border access, and the DNS management realizes application access control, which ensures smooth and stable internet access without affecting business access.

V. Unified management to realize intelligent operation and maintenance. The AD-WAN solution provides the northbound interfaces, which help LiveCom realize customized Portals; the VPN isolation strategy is implemented for multiple tenants, with decentralized, multi-level management; Visual applications and automatic generation of a variety of reports ensure users to view the operating conditions at a glance, thus greatly improving the efficiency of operation and maintenance.

H3C Joins Hands with LiveCom to Achieve a Win-win Situation of SD-WAN Overseas

So far, H3C and LiveCom has jointly completed a number of SD-WAN projects, set up SD-WAN headquarters and branch network deployment in many countries around the world, and provided services to dozens of overseas Chinese-funded enterprises.

The cooperation between LiveCom and H3C demonstrates the strong strength of H3C’s AD-WAN solution. In addition, H3C’s SD-WAN projects have passed tests and been successfully implemented in many countries, and have been recognized by more and more overseas customers. As one of H3C’s overseas solutions, the AD-WAN solution has witnessed the process during which H3C and LiveCom jointly built a benchmark for overseas practice. It is the SD-WAN capability, which is leading in the industry, and rich practical experience that have laid the foundation for the in-depth cooperation between both parties.

Based in China, going global in the digital journey. In the future, H3C will continue to consolidate its own advantages, continuously export advanced SD-WAN technologies, and work with LiveCom to provide more professional and efficient SD-WAN services to global customers.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961446/image.jpg
Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961555/video.mp4

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Vinamilk présente sa démarche de promotion de la marque au Global Dairy Congress Asia 2022

HÔ CHI MINH-VILLE, Vietnam, 6 décembre 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Vinamilk, première marque de produits laitiers du Vietnam et sixième marque de produits laitiers au monde, a récemment participé au Global Dairy Congress Asia 2022 qui s’est tenu à Singapour. Vinamilk a été invité à partager ses idées et son expertise dans la constitution de sa marque fétiche, Dielac, une marque de lait maternisé qui accompagne des générations de consommateurs vietnamiens depuis 33 ans.

Vinamilk's Executive Director of Marketing - Mr. Nguyen Quang Tri at the congress

Plus de 250 invités représentant des organismes et des entreprises de l’industrie laitière de plus de 10 pays asiatiques ont assisté au Global Dairy Congress Asia 2022, qui était axé sur les dernières tendances de l’industrie laitière, les nouveaux modèles commerciaux, les technologies avancées, etc.

Soucieux de répondre aux besoins des consommateurs et d’instaurer une relation de confiance, Vinamilk a surmonté de nombreux défis, tels que des équipements de production limités et le manque de confiance des consommateurs dans les marques de produits laitiers locales, pour élaborer une stratégie efficace pour Dielac, lancé il y a 33 ans et reposant sur trois piliers : la qualité des produits, l’innovation et l’amour.

Pour concurrencer équitablement les marques de produits laitiers étrangères bien établies, Vinamilk se concentre sur la coopération avec des organisations internationales spécialisées dans l’application des micronutriments et de la microbiologie pour mettre au point de nouveaux produits, en diversifiant son portefeuille de produits pour répondre aux exigences croissantes des consommateurs. Les produits Dielac sont également enrichis de divers types de nutriments, qui sont similaires au lait maternel et adaptés aux besoins physiques et nutritionnels des enfants vietnamiens.

Production lines at Vietnam Powdered Milk Factory

Pour répondre à la demande croissante des consommateurs, Vinamilk a établi une usine moderne de lait en poudre à Binh Duong en 2013, avec une capacité pouvant atteindre 54 000 tonnes de produits par an, ce qui a consolidé le prestige de Dielac dans l’esprit des consommateurs.

« Développer un amour de la marque dans l’industrie laitière demande beaucoup d’attention, car les produits nutritionnels pour enfants doivent respecter la sécurité alimentaire et répondre aux normes internationales », a confié Nguyen Quang Tri, directeur exécutif du marketing chez Vinamilk.

L’« amour de la marque Dielac » est né de l’amour : du cœur des parents vietnamiens qui veulent ce qu’il y a de mieux pour leurs enfants ; du cœur des concepteurs de produits et des créateurs de marques en tant que Vietnamiens désireux de soutenir les générations vietnamiennes qui se tiennent aux côtés de leurs homologues étrangers ; et du cœur de Vinamilk, un entrepreneur déterminé à construire une industrie laitière vietnamienne de niveau international.

Generations of Vietnamese parents have trusted Dielac brand

« L’importance d’établir une relation entre le consommateur et un producteur laitier passe par sa marque. Nous savons que nous disposons d’un marketing efficace qui suscite l’intérêt des consommateurs et leur fait comprendre la valeur et les avantages des produits laitiers pour la santé. Mais en fin de compte, les consommateurs achètent un produit et c’est pourquoi il est si important d’avoir une marque qui soit forte, reconnaissable et fiable », a ajouté Caroline Emond, directrice générale de la Fédération mondiale de laiterie.

Le parcours de Vinamilk Dielac, la première marque de lait maternisé produite par une entreprise vietnamienne, va de pair avec la croissance impressionnante de la société. Depuis son lancement en 1989, la marque Dielac est devenue une solution nutritionnelle à laquelle les consommateurs vietnamiens font confiance. Ces produits ont été les premiers à être exportés et sont restés une UGS importante dans le portefeuille d’exportation de la société.

À propos de Vinamilk

Fondée en 1976, Vinamilk est la première entreprise laitière du Vietnam. Elle figure parmi les 40 plus grandes entreprises de nutrition du monde en termes de revenus et parmi les 10 marques de produits laitiers ayant le plus de valeur au monde. Devenu un poids lourd de l’industrie laitière au cours des 46 dernières années, Vinamilk est aujourd’hui évalué à plus de 2,8 milliards de dollars américains.

Vidéo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFcwPfUZM_M
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1953155/Vinamilk_s_CMO___Mr_Nguyen_Quang_Tri_congress.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1953156/Production_lines_Vietnam_Powdered_Milk_Factory.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1953157/1.jpg

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Sweegen announces growth capital investments and manufacturing partnership ahead of Food Ingredients Europe 2022

Momentum from global regulatory approvals and customers’ product launches drives strong valuation and investment demand.

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Dec. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sweegen announced its strategic investment and partnership snapshot ahead of the FI Europe 2022, where it will exhibit zero sugar solutions in immersive food experiences, displaying consumers’ favorite foods and beverages with zero sugar solutions in Paris, France, Dec. 6-8.

In the wake of the 2022 company developments of major customer launches, a growing global footprint, and regulatory approvals on its sweeteners and stevia technology, Sweegen is attracting major partners and moving forward with additional growth capital raised from current shareholders, Pasaca Capital and Sumitomo Chemical Co. (Sumitomo), reaching the “unicorn” status.

“Our growth is meaningful in the world of sweetener innovation as we are bringing wellness solutions to food and beverage brands and consumers in new global regions where sugar reduction is not only a major health trend and need but also a movement for a wellness lifestyle,” said CEO Steven Chen. “We’re grateful that these shareholders continue to have confidence in our vision to open new markets with our global regulatory plans and explore exciting wellness technologies for food and beverages.”

Largest CPG Companies as Customers

Sweegen’s Signature Bestevia® Reb M was the first new-generation stevia technology to receive approval from the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA).

This landmark approval in 2021, combined with the approval of the regulatory framework for steviol glycosides by the international food safety authority CODEX in 2022, is opening new markets and creating significant opportunities for Sweegen’s customers to launch new products.

The world’s largest food and beverage producers, including top brands for beverage (non-alcoholic and alcoholic), condiment, dairy, and plant-based products, have entered into commitments, contracts, and purchase orders with Sweegen.

Manufacturing Alliance

With Sumitomo, Sweegen entered into a strategic alliance in which Sumitomo will contribute one of its manufacturing factories in Asia to a joint venture between the two companies.

Sumitomo will assist in quality assurance and quality control at both the Asian facility and Sweegen’s manufacturing site in Europe.

“Our manufacturing alliance with an exceptional partner like Sumitomo gives Sweegen’s customers the added security and benefit of multiple production facilities and is expected to accelerate Sweegen’s market penetration greatly,” said Chen.

New Technologies

In addition to the industry’s widest range of non-GMO better, tasting Signature stevia ingredients, Sweegen is introducing more advanced sugar-reducing products, such as the sweet proteins Ultratia™ brazzein and thaumatin.

Sweegen’s disruptive peptide technology enables industrial-scale production of brazzein for great cost savings to CPG customers. The commercialization of brazzein has already begun, and Sweegen anticipates a first regulatory approval for the product in 2023.

Thaumatin is 100,000 times sweeter than sugar on a molar basis. The high sweetness factor can translate into a strategic, cost-effective sugar reduction solution for brands seeking to get the most out of natural sweeteners. Sweegen has recently announced the successful scale-up production of these high-intensity sweeteners, and the company expects to receive regulatory approval in the near future.

The Market

The global sugar market is currently at $160 billion. Many global food and beverage companies are currently incorporating Sweegen’s products to replace artificial sweeteners, reduce sugar, and launch branded products containing these Sweegen products.

Contacts at FIE

At the FI Europe 2022 trade fair in Paris, Sweegen’s booth will be at Stand #7.1D20, where Sweegen’s management and global food and beverage applications teams will welcome all food and ingredient customers and business partners.

About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet-taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.

We are on a mission to reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners in the global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero-sugar products that consumers love. With the best modern sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Bestevia® Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, and sweet proteins brazzein and thaumatin, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market-leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Well. Into the Future.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996. Sweegen’s actual results may differ from the estimates, assumptions, and other illustrative material contained herein, and consequently, a reader should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, illustrative information regarding Sweegen’s bottom-up assumed market potential, assumed hit rate, and the resulting revenue based on these model inputs. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.

Industry, Market, and Other Data
In this press release, we rely on and refer to information and statistics regarding market participants in the sectors in which Sweegen competes and other data. We obtained this information and statistics from our own internal estimates and third-party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. We do not expressly refer to these sources. All of this information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and the sources of such information cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. The industry in which Sweegen operates is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of important factors, any of which could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by Sweegen or third parties.

Attachments

Ana Arakelian, Head of Public Relations and Communications

Sweegen
+1.949.709.0583

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8708571

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Des jeunes partager leurs réflexions sur la Chine et le monde lors du Forum Génération Z 2022 à l’Université Tsinghua

Pendant le Forum, un étudiant, Liu Dibo, partage ses expériences de bénévolat aux Jeux olympiques d’hiver à Beijing

BEIJING, 6 décembre 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Liu Dibo, étudiant de l’Université Tsinghua (« Tsinghua »), a partagé ses expériences de bénévolat aux Jeux olympiques d’hiver de Beijing 2022 lors du Forum mondial Génération Z 2022 (« le Forum »). Le Forum, co-organisé par l’Université Tsinghua et China Daily, a invité les participants chinois et étrangers de plus de 30 pays à partager leurs histoires et leurs réflexions sur l’orientation de la Chine et du monde. Il était possible de participer au Forum à distance et en présentiel.

Liu Dibo, qui étudie à l’École dédiée aux questions environnementales de Tsinghua, a parlé à l’auditoire de son expérience de bénévole aux Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d’hiver 2022, au cours desquels il a été assistant de Francesco Ricci Bitt, président de l’Association des fédérations internationales olympiques des sports d’été. Liu Dibo a parlé de la façon dont il a entretenu une « amitié intergénérationnelle » avec Francesco Ricci Bitt. Il a évoqué leurs échanges sur la Chine, au cours desquels il a pu dire combien le pays avait changé depuis que Pékin avait accueilli les Jeux olympiques d’été 2008. Il a également pu présenter la culture chinoise et lui faire part de lieux d’intérêt à Pékin. Après son retour dans son pays d’origine, Liu Dibo a été ravi de recevoir une lettre de remerciements de Francesco Ricci Bitt, remerciant son « ami exceptionnel » pour avoir rendu son « séjour à Beijing 2022 agréable et facile » et l’invitant aux prochains Jeux olympiques d’hiver, qui se tiendra en Italie en 2026.

Des jeunes venant de pays comme la Russie, l’Inde, l’Afrique du Sud, la France, l’Égypte, la Géorgie et les États-Unis, ont prononcé des discours. En réunissant des jeunes du monde entier, le Forum a mis en valeur les expériences positives des jeunes qui s’efforcent de réaliser leur potentiel.

Qu Yingpu, éditeur et rédacteur en chef de China Daily, a prononcé un discours lors du Forum pour encourager les jeunes du monde entier à promouvoir la construction d’une « communauté ayant un destin partagé pour le bien de l’humanité » et a encouragé les jeunes à essayer de mieux comprendre la Chine.

Qiu Yong, secrétaire du Comité de l’Université Tsinghua du PCC et président du Conseil de l’Université Tsinghua, a déclaré dans son discours d’ouverture : « Les jeunes représentent l’espoir et sont les architectes de l’avenir. Un meilleur avenir partagé dépend des amitiés des jeunes qui se perpétuent de génération en génération. »

Lors du Forum, d’autres jeunes ont pris la parole, notamment Nik Gu, étudiant russe en relations internationales et ambassadeur mondial à l’Université Tsinghua. Nik Gu a parlé du développement rapide qu’il avait pu observer en Chine au cours de ces dernières années. Ayant vécu en Chine pendant 17 ans, Nik Gu a déclaré avoir été profondément influencé par le concept culturel « d’harmonie sans uniformité » et a appelé les jeunes à unir leurs forces dans le monde entier afin de promouvoir une « communauté avec un destin partagé pour le bien de l’humanité”.

Tamar Kvlividze, une vlogger géorgienne vivant en Chine, a raconté lors du Forum qu’elle hébergeait des vidéos sur les plateformes de réseaux sociaux en Chine et en Géorgie sur ses expériences de vie en Chine. Ses chaînes sont devenues très populaires en Chine et en Géorgie, a-t-elle indiqué, et a exprimé son espoir de participer au renforcement des liens culturels entre les deux pays.

Minh Thao Chan, doctorant français se spécialisant en conduite autonome à l’Université Tsinghua, a fait part de ses réflexions et de sa compréhension de la « voie chinoise vers la modernisation ». Il a indiqué admirer comment la Chine avait mis l’accent sur le développement des domaines de la science, des technologies et de l’éducation.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter le site Tsinghua University.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1960574/image_5002812_21192964.jpg

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Unsubstantiated Price Hikes Upped US Drug Spending $805 Million in 2021

Price increases among seven out of 10 drugs in 2021 are behind an $805 million increase in U.S. spending from the year before and were not supported by clinical evidence, an influential U.S. pricing research firm said on Tuesday.

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) said the spending increase in 2021 was less than the $1.67 billion rise in the previous year. This is the third year the group has looked at the top 250 drugs by spending and assessed if those driving U.S. spending increases were justified.

“Last year, a huge part of the (increase in) spending was all one drug … this year, we saw the increase was more spread out across different drugs,” ICER’s Chief Medical Officer David Rind told Reuters.

In 2020, Abbvie’s rheumatoid arthritis therapy Humira led to an almost $1.4 billion increase in U.S. drug spending, accounting for more than 80% of the total increase.

Rind said Humira dropped off the list of the 10 costliest prescription drugs because its net price hike was lower in 2021. Since there was no single drug that drove the increase in spending this year, the rise is also relatively smaller compared with 2020, he added.

Bausch Health’s Xifaxan, an antibiotic drug for traveler’s diarrhea, led to an increase of nearly $175 million in spending, among the highest this year.

Johnson & Johnson’s schizophrenia therapy Invega Sustenna and Amgen’s osteoporosis drug Prolia followed closely with spending increases of $170 million and $124 million, respectively.

The three drugmakers did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

President Joe Biden’s signature Inflation Reduction Act will allow the government to choose 10 drugs to negotiate the prices of from among the 50 costliest drugs for Medicare, the government health care program for people age 65 and older or disabled, starting in 2026.

Source: Voice of America

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Pandemic Treaty Plans Being Worked On at WHO

Negotiators are meeting in Geneva this week to thrash out a pandemic treaty aimed at ensuring the flaws that turned COVID-19 into a global crisis could never happen again.

As the third anniversary of the emergence of the virus rolls around, negotiators are raking over an early concept draft of what might eventually make it into an international agreement about how to handle future pandemics.

“The lessons of the pandemic must not go unlearned,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the negotiating panel at the start of three days of talks, which conclude Wednesday.

An intergovernmental negotiating body is paving the way toward a global agreement that would regulate how nations prepare for and respond to future pandemic threats.

They are gathered for their third meeting, refining and going over their ideas so far.

A progress report will be put before WHO member states next year, with the final outcome to be presented for their consideration in May of 2024.

The dense, 32-page early draft “is a true reflection of the aspirations for a different paradigm for strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery,” said Tedros.

The so-called conceptual zero draft contains various notions, some of which will have to be developed and others thrown out as negotiators pare down the text ahead of the next meeting in February.

The trick will ultimately be finding the balance between something bold and with teeth, and something all countries can agree to.

‘Don’t blow this opportunity’

“There’s a lot of material currently that probably doesn’t belong in there,” said Pamela Hamamoto, the lead U.S. negotiator.

“There’s a lot that needs to change before we’re going to sign onto it. That is the same for a lot of member states — probably most,” she told reporters.

Hamamoto said Washington wanted to see transparency fixed into the accord, along with better surveillance and rapid response, plus swift and comprehensive data sharing.

The United States also wants to see more equitable access to medical countermeasures, possibly through regional manufacturing.

“A pretty broadly-held view is that we need to make sure that the process is set up right so … we basically don’t blow this opportunity to put together an accord that is going to be meaningful and implementable,” Hamamoto said.

The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention, an independent coalition of statespeople and health leaders, said the conceptual draft did not go far enough, despite its bright spots.

The panel said more should be done to establish accountability and clear timelines for alert and response to avoid damaging consequences when an outbreak emerges.

Negotiations at ‘crossroads’

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders said the negotiations must not overlook the role of clinical trials in any pandemic response.

Mohga Kamal-Yanni, of the NGO coalition People’s Vaccine Alliance, said the draft showed negotiations were “at a crossroads.”

“A treaty could break with the greed and inequality that has plagued the global response to COVID-19, HIV/AIDS and other pandemics. Or it could tie future generations to the same disastrous outcomes,” she said.

“Governments must resist any attempts to turn a pandemic treaty into another obscene profit opportunity for pharmaceutical companies.”

Three years in, the pandemic still has power to disrupt lives and societies — as seen in the recent unrest in China over lockdowns.

Countries have reported 6.6 million deaths to the WHO, while around 640 million confirmed cases have been registered.

But the U.N. health agency says this will be a massive undercount.

Global Fund executive director Peter Sands told reporters last month that “having a nice treaty … will have only a partial impact on how effectively we respond.”

He said the world was undoubtedly already better prepared for the next pandemic but warned: “That doesn’t mean we are well prepared. It just means we’re not as badly prepared as we were before.”

Source: Voice of America