WHO chief urges countries to finalise pandemic accord by deadline

Reuters
May 09, 2024

WHO chief urges countries to finalise pandemic accord by deadline


GENEVA, May 3 (Reuters) - The head of the World Health Organization on Friday urged countries to agree to an accord to help fight future pandemics as negotiations approach a deadline this month.
The new pact and a series of updates to existing rules on dealing with pandemics are intended to shore up the world's defenses against new pathogens after the COVID-19 pandemic killed millions of people.
Countries are due to finalise negotiations on the accord on May 10, with a view to adopting it at the WHO's annual meeting later this month, but sources involved say that big differences remain.