Member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed on methods to prepare the world for possible future pandemics. About this informs Reuters.
The proposed legally binding agreement aims to strengthen global protection against emerging pathogens in response to the experience of the 2020-2022 COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed millions of lives.
“After more than three years of intense negotiations, WHO member states have taken an important step forward in efforts to make the world safer from the threat of pandemics,” – the statement of the organization says.
The document envisages measures to prevent future disease outbreaks and strengthen international cooperation in the face of global epidemic threats. The agreement is widely seen as a success for the WHO, especially at a time when the multilateral organization is facing financial difficulties, including cuts in US aid.
“This is a historic agreement for global health security, equality and international solidarity”, — said the French Ambassador for Global Health, Anne-Claire Ampru.
The draft agreement will be presented to the World Health Assembly in May.
