As reported by the BBC, members of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have agreed the text of a treaty designed to better tackle future pandemics
The legally binding pact reached early on Wednesday came after three years of talks between member states. It is only the second time in the WHO’s 75-year history that an international agreement of this type has been reached – the first being a tobacco control deal in 2003. It still needs to be formally adopted by members when they meet for the World Health Assembly next month.
Key elements include the rapid sharing of data about new diseases, to ensure scientists and pharmaceutical companies can work more quickly to develop treatments and vaccines.
For the first time, the WHO itself will also have an overview of global supply chains for masks, medical gowns and other personal protective equipment (PPE).
US negotiators were not part of the final discussions after President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the global health agency, and the US will not be bound by the pact when it leaves in 2026.
Under the terms agreed, countries will have to ensure that pandemic-related drugs are available across the world in a future outbreak.
WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the deal as “a significant milestone in our shared journey towards a safer world”.
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