The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working on how to enhance global preparedness for future pandemics, considering the severe impact of COVID-19.
The global health watchdog announced this at its annual meeting with government ministers and top envoys yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland.
But the ambitious plan to adopt a comprehensive pandemic treaty has been put on hold.
After two and a half years of negotiations, member-states could not agree on a draft by the anticipated deadline.
Despite this, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that the effort was not a failure.
He acknowledged the immense challenges faced by negotiators working on a tight timeline, noting that developing global treaties typically takes many years.
During the negotiation phase, the pandemic treaty was seen as potentially one of the most significant developments in WHO’s 76-year history.
While the immediate goal was not achieved, Tedros expressed confidence in eventual success, urging the assembly to find a way forward.
“Of course, we all wish that we had been able to reach a consensus on the agreement in time for this health assembly and cross the finish line,” Tedros said in his opening remarks.
