DNDi's interventions (posted here following delivery):
Agenda item 12.3: Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030
The development of new health tools remains a fundamental pillar for achieving NTD control and elimination. Sustained commitment and partnership have enabled the development of simpler, safer, effective new treatments – such as acoziborole, a one-day, single-dose oral treatment for sleeping sickness. However, current health tools for many NTDs are inadequate. NTDs also disproportionately impact women and children who face double neglect because they are underrepresented in R&D. Climate change is accelerating transmission of NTDs and expanding their geographic range.
We urge Member States and WHO to finalize the R&D blueprint for NTDs, promote inclusive research that addresses the medical needs of women and children, and prioritize innovation for climate-sensitive diseases. We also call on governments to close the financing gap through new financing models and integrate NTDs into health budgets and UHC packages.
Agenda item 12.9: Draft updated global action plan on antimicrobial resistance
DNDi welcomes the new Global Action Plan on AMR, including the strategy’s commitment to strengthen research and development and ensure equitable and sustainable access to new and existing treatments. We look forward to the inception of the Independent Panel for Evidence for Action against AMR, which has the potential to strengthen evidence-based decision-making. AMR should be integrated into global health reform discussions to foster a comprehensive and equitable response that is the joint responsibility of countries, regional institutions, and international organizations.
Finally, we note the importance of continued support for and partnership with international health agencies addressing AMR, including not‑for‑profit initiatives such as GARDP, which works to develop and make accessible antibiotic treatments for people in need worldwide.
Agenda item 13.3: Update on the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) Negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement
DNDi welcomes the continued efforts of Member States to advance negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement and its PABS annex. While negotiations were not concluded, the decision to continue discussions reflects the shared recognition that an effective and equitable PABS system remains essential for future pandemic preparedness and response. Recent international coordination around hantavirus cases is a reminder that infectious disease threats continue to emerge in an interconnected world shaped by climate change, global mobility, and persistent health inequities.
We call on Member States to finalize the development of a robust PABS system that ensures that pathogen sharing translates into affordable access, technology transfer, diversified manufacturing, and equitable innovation outcomes. At the same time, countries should not wait for negotiations to conclude and can already begin implementing key equity-related provisions like Article 9.5 and embedding public-interest conditions into publicly funded R&D.
Agenda item 20.1: Reform of the global health architecture and the UN80 Initiative
DNDi welcomes the ongoing discussions on global health architecture reform and emphasizes that product development and equitable access must be treated as core functions that are addressed coherently across all workstreams.
Market forces alone will not deliver the innovation or access needed to meet public health priorities. Global health reform discussions must address how innovation systems are designed, governed, and financed to serve public health and equity objectives. This includes ensuring sustainable financing for needs-driven R&D, embedding access conditions in public investments, strengthening regional research and manufacturing capacity, and supporting technology transfer and data sharing.
DNDi also stresses the importance of recognizing and strengthening proven public-interest R&D models, including product development partnerships, that have already delivered innovation where market incentives are weak or absent, while supporting long-term partnerships and research capacity in partner countries.
The following interventions were provided to WHO but could not be delivered orally:
Agenda items 12.6: Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 12.10: Harmonization of regulatory approaches, governance and standards for data, digital health and artificial intelligence in the health sector
On agenda item 12.6: The world remains off track on health-related SDGs, including for Target 3.3, with 1.5 billion people still impacted by NTDs, many lacking appropriate health tools. Sustained investments are needed to close R&D gaps. Partnerships are also key to achieving SDG 3. Along with partners, DNDi has developed and delivered life-saving treatments, yet many pharmaceutical companies are withdrawing from infectious disease R&D, underscoring the need for inclusive, equitable partnerships within and across regions and sectors. With just three and a half years to 2030, bold and coordinated action is needed.
In relation to agenda 12.10, we ask Member States to ensure that successful technologies do not embed bias and are available for all populations’ benefit – especially technologies that have received public funding. Policies should actively encourage the creation of digital public goods that enable equitable access.
Agenda item 15.5: Economics of health for all
Market-driven R&D cannot address the needs of many marginalized communities, leaving innovation gaps for diseases with little or uncertain commercial return, such as NTDs and antimicrobial resistant infections.
Governments play a critical role in ensuring public investments in health innovation deliver public value. DNDi supports directing innovation, particularly publicly funded innovation, towards public health priorities.
Conditions on public funding for innovation could help ensure the development of, and equitable access to, health technologies. We urge Member States to implement Article 9.5 of the Pandemic Agreement by establishing policies on conditions for publicly funded research. We also emphasize the need for policies that embed equity and affordability into the innovation process from the start, including in priority setting, partnership models, open science, pro-access licensing, and technology transfer arrangements.
