WHO Member States agree to resume negotiations aimed at finalising the world’s first pandemic agreement

WHO Member States agreed to resume negotiations aimed at finalising a pandemic agreement during 29 April to 10 May. The decision came following two weeks of intensive country-led discussions on critical subjects aimed at making all countries of the world better prepared for, and able to effectively and equitably respond to, future pandemics.

This ninth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB9) started on 18 March. Government negotiators discussed all articles from the draft agreement, including adequate financing for pandemic preparedness, equitable access to medical countermeasures needed during pandemics and health workforce strengthening.

“Our Member States are fully aware of how important the pandemic agreement is for protecting future generations from the suffering we endured through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “I thank them for their clear commitment to finding common ground and finalizing this historic agreement in time for the World Health Assembly.”