WHO Pandemic Agreement
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, information briefing
Date: 2024-04-17 16:15
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Health Minister Riina Sikkut responded to an interpellation by Riigikogu member Kalle Grünthal regarding the transparency and public disclosure of the World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic agreement negotiations. Grünthal criticized the Ministry of Social Affairs (SM) for breaking promises concerning the publication of negotiation documents in Estonian and the organization of public sessions in Estonia. He charged that the public had been insufficiently informed and that the English-language materials on the WHO website did not meet the promised transparency requirement. Grünthal called the process a "complete secret."
Minister Sikkut explained that the pandemic agreement negotiations, which are being conducted by the European Commission, are necessary to ensure better preparedness for future pandemics. She emphasized that the process is exceptionally transparent at the WHO level—all sessions are viewable online and the documents are public. Sikkut refuted claims that the agreement would nullify national sovereignty or remove human rights, labeling them as conspiratorial. She justified the lack of Estonian-language working documents by citing resource saving, noting that the final text for ratification will reach the Riigikogu in Estonian. In a supplementary question, Varro Vooglaid also challenged the transparency and asked why Estonia was not representing itself independently in the negotiations, to which the minister replied that joint EU representation ensures a stronger position and better access to resources for Estonia.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Kalle Grünthal was the most active speaker, submitting both the initial inquiry and a sharp clarifying question concerning the lack of transparency surrounding the WHO pandemic agreement.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The topic of the seventh question is the WHO pandemic agreement, and it will be presented by Riigikogu member Kalle Grünthal to the Minister of Health Riina Sikkut.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal raised the question of why the public has not been informed about the negotiations concerning the WHO pandemic agreement and the related documents, and why the promised transparency and public accessibility have not been fulfilled.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut stated that the impact of COVID-19 was a shock, and to ensure better preparedness for future pandemics, negotiations for the WHO Pandemic Agreement have been initiated. These talks are public and transparent, with all related documents available online. Estonia has mandated the European Commission (via ELAK) to conduct these negotiations. Nine negotiation sessions have already been held, and they are set to resume at the end of April or the beginning of May, with the goal of reaching a minimum agreement in preparation for the next pandemic.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks [the speaker/group] and announces that Kalle Grünthal will ask a clarifying question next.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal criticizes the insufficient transparency regarding Estonia's WHO matter: the documents are only in English, there are no Estonian translations, public hearings are not organized, and the issues were kept secret until something started being discussed following a letter sent to the WHO by 11 members of parliament. He emphasizes that the documents should be in Estonian.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut confirmed that Estonia is up to date with the work and discussions of ELAK, and that the questions raised regarding the pandemic agreement primarily concern the protection of state sovereignty and the possibility of granting additional power to the WHO. She noted that these concerns are actually not related to the substance of the agreements, as every country remains responsible for itself, international recommendations are merely recommendations, and human rights are protected. The negotiations can be monitored online, and once an agreement is finalized, the Estonian-language text will be submitted to the Riigikogu for ratification. However, the Estonian-language working documents are not yet ready, and their availability is crucial for making an informed decision.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Varro Vooglaid to pose his next supplementary question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid criticizes the WHO pandemic treaty negotiations, stating that they are a very closed process concealed from the public, and that the core content of the drafts being prepared is not being shared on an ongoing basis. He further asks why Estonia is representing these negotiations on behalf of the European Union, and why the government, the Riigikogu (Parliament), and the public are not being kept continuously informed about the progress of the talks or the treaty drafts.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut stressed that in pandemic preparedness, Estonia and the entire European Union must act in unison, utilizing the HERA platform and joint procurement procedures. This is because Estonia would not have been able to secure vaccines and medicines at the same speed if acting alone, and all patients must be treated equally.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you very much, Honorable Minister. With that, our seventh question for today has also been taken up for consideration.