WHO to seek global certificate system, inspired by E.U.'s Covid pass

The World Health Organization will use the European Union’s digital Covid pass as a basis for a global health certification system, according to a new partnership deal agreed on June 5.

The World Health Organization will use the European Union's digital Covid pass as a basis for a global health certification system, according to a new partnership deal agreed on June 5.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and E.U. Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides signed what they described as a "landmark" agreement in Geneva.

"The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the value of digital health solutions in facilitating access to health services," Mr. Tedros said at the signing ceremony.

He said the E.U.'s Covid certificate would now be transformed into "a global public good", as a first step in the creation of a global digital health certification network.

The network will expand to include things like digitised international routine vaccination cards, he said.

It will be aimed to help protect people from health threats, including possible future pandemics, and facilitate global mobility, the WHO and the E.U. said in a statement.

This "will be an important part of our efforts to strengthen health systems and to support our member states to prepare better for the next epidemic or pandemic," Mr. Tedros said.